6. Speaking of Fighters Named Miller…
How’s about Cole Miller’s impressive performance over Ross Pearson? Raise your hand if you saw that kind of quality win coming for the lanky elder member of the Coconut Creek-based member of the Fighting Miller Brothers.
Anyone with their hand in the air is a liar.
There was nothing in his previous performances that indicated Miller would come out and dominate Pearson the way he did, which is what makes it more impressive. Not only did he wisely use his length, but his hands looked better than they had before, catching the TUF 9 winner with some quality shots before starching him with a left against the cage.
When you combine his size (six-foot-one) and his already impressive Jiu-Jitsu game with steadily improving hands and what looks like an understanding of how to put it all together, Miller makes for an interesting option at 155 moving forward.
7. The Ultimate Fighter Isn’t About Finding the Best Fighters
Many (myself included) believe that TUF doesn’t find the best fighters, but the point was driven home in the Octagon Wednesday night as two former TUF winners were handed defeats.
While it is entirely possible that both Pearson and Escudero bounce back and start to steadily climb the ladder moving forward, they are just two more names on the growing list of TUF winners who haven’t really made any serious headway since winning their respective season.
After turning out two champions in the first two years, The Ultimate Fighter has more recently turned out middle-of-the-road talents who can look good at times, but fail to show championship potential. The show also turns out all kinds of edited drama from inexperienced fighters who flap their gums too much too.
It’s been said before and it bears repeating – The Ultimate Fighter needs a makeover.
8. Brian Foster Back and Hungry
Before he kicked off Wednesday night’s event opposite Forrest Petz, the last time we had seen Brian Foster, the HIT Squad trainee was in agony after Chris Lylte slapped a kneebar on him at UFC 110 in Sydney, Australia.
Seven months later, the 26-year-old was back in the cage and wasted little time disposing of Petz, earning a stoppage over the veteran in just 67 seconds. While evening his record in the Octagon at twos was important, the performance also showed what many believed all along: Foster is a fierce competitor who can make some noise in the 170-pound division.
Though he lost his debut, Foster put on a good show against Rick Story, another up-and-coming welterweight to watch for down the road, before sending veteran Brock Larson to the regional circuit. A strong wrestler with solid hands, Foster has a nice mix of skill and the guts to get in there and rough it up with anyone.
As he continues to improve, he will become an even tougher out than he already is now.
9. Naming a Move after Yourself is Brutal
Dear Cody Mackenzie,
Just because you love to use a modified version of the guillotine to finish all your fights, doesn’t mean you need to name it “The Mackenzi-tine” or refer to it as such on television. Think about how dumb that sounds. “The Mackenzi-tine” doesn’t get better after multiple sayings.
A message to all fighters: if you want to name your moves, go the old school gunslinger route and name your move after a lady.
As bad as “I call it The Mackenzi-tine” sounded, think of how awesome it would have been if instead, Mackenzie looked into the camera and said, “Yeah, I call that one Denise.”
10. Can Someone Please Make Sure Georges is Awake?
Was it just me or did GSP seem completely uninterested and disengaged during last night’s TUF 12 episode?
As much as Koscheck can be a complete nuisance at times, at least he’s animated and active, issuing commentary on the fights, congratulating guys for their performances, stuff like that. The only thing GSP did was rule out Jeffrey Lentz before his bout, and he was dead wrong on that one.
It’s only the first episode of TUF 12 and a lot could change, but after the debut – and despite the nationality noted on my passport – I’m leaning towards being a member of Team Koscheck this Ultimate Fighter season, just for the entertainment value alone.
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