411's The Ultimate Fighter: US vs. UK Report 5.13.09: Episode 7

Posted by Jeremy Lambert on 05.13.2009

Bisping and Henderson compete in the coach’s challenge, Jason Pierce has doubts about fighting, and a Lightweight elimination fight leaves the US down a fighter! Check out 411’s complete The Ultimate Fighter: US vs. UK Report for all the details!

The Ultimate Fighter 9
Team US vs. Team UK
Episode 7

Previously: Pierce and Faulkner bonded and could fight on this episode, Team UK took a 3-2 advantage.

Opening Video

At the Team UK training session, Bisping says Dave Faulkner is going to fight Jason Pierce at the next fight. Everyone claims that Dave is the best Team UK fighter and that he has the talent to win the entire season. Back at the house, Richie has impetigo, which is some type of contagious disease that looks like herpes on his lip. Pierce sprays the entire house with disinfectant. At Team US training, Pierce says he broke some blood vessels in his foot in his elimination fight. He kicks with it, which gets Henderson to tell him "don't kick with that foot". Sound advice.

Team UK builds core strength by banging a sledgehammer into a large tire. Some people miss the tire completely and hit the floor. Bisping gives a great speech about no producers telling them to stop training with sledgehammers as even though it could mess up the mats if they miss, it's making for great TV. At Team US training, Pierce is upset that they have to spar after two and half days of hard training. He spars with Henderson and gets hit but doesn't hit back. Henderson tells his team to stay positive and always think one move ahead. Everyone stays to spar one more round except Pierce, who walks off.

At the house, Team US doubts that Pierce will even fight. Damarques says Pierece's mental weakness is bringing the rest of the team down. Jason Dent labels the downstairs room the "bash room" and whoever isn't in the room gets bashed.

At Team UK training, it's found out that Dave has swelling in his leg from hitting himself with the sledgehammer. Bisping wonders how he managed to hit himself with the hammer. The doctors tell Dave that his leg is somehow infected.

For the coaches challenge this year, Bisping and Henderson face off in a tennis match. The winning coach gets $10,000 and the winner team gets $1,500 each. They're playing 6 games and you have to win by 2 games. Bisping laughs at the "1, 2, 3, USA" chant. Dana White is looking forward to this because he figures they both suck at tennis.

Bisping serves it and Henderson just accepts the ball thinking Bisping didn't serve properly. 15-0 Bisping. Henderson takes the first game. Henderson serves and Bisping can't return any of them. Henderson takes the second game. Bisping gets a little offended when Damarques calls him, "white as a band aid." Cameron was the one who actually made the comment. Henderson is up 4-0. Bisping wins a game to make it 4-1. Henderson goes up 5-2 and then takes game the next game to win 6-2. Bisping is annoyed by all the trash talking from Damarques.

At the fight announce, Bisping picks Ross Pearson (Team UK) vs. Richie Witson (Team US). Bisping expects this to be a stand up fight and thinks Ross is the better striker. Henderson is worried about Richie because he hasn't trained much due to the thing that wasn't herpes.

At Team US training, Richie works on his stand up. Richie trains with Team Quest outside of the house so. Henderson wants him to set things up with his jab. They clinch against the cage and the door swings open causing Richie to spill down the steps and to the floor. He ends up ok. Henderson comes to the house to celebrate Richie's birthday. Cameron starts crying because he drank too much. He's one of those emotional drunks who spills his heart out when he's drunk.

They both weigh in at 155. Dana thinks it's going to be a good fight but doesn't pick a winner.

At Team UK training, Ross works on his stand up and sprawl. Bisping thinks Ross is the most intense fighter in the house.

Lightweight Fight: Ross Pearson (Team UK) vs. Richie Witson (Team US)

Recap: Ross dominates Richie early with big punches and a huge knee. Ross ends up catching Richie with an illegal knee. Herb Dean takes a point from Ross. Ross continues to get takedowns and eventually gets Richie's back and locks him in an armbar as he tries to escape through the back.

Winner – Ross Pearson, Submission (Armbar), Round 1

Next Week: Team US morale continues to drop. Team UK continues to get ill and injured. Speculation on whether Pierce will fight.

Show Comments: That had to be one of the weakest coaches challenges ever. I don't think it's ever taken place so early and it wasn't competitive or anything. The Pierce storyline is getting interesting at least. Decent episode but seemed slow.