411's Ultimate Fighter Report 9.30.09: Episode Three

Posted by Patrick Mullin on 09.30.2009

Kimbo Slice steps into the cage against Roy Nelson. Its the biggest fight in TUF history! No pun intended of course.

Last week on the Ultimate Fighter… James McSweeney emerged the victor of potentially the worst fight in TUF history against Wes Shivers via Majority Decision. That victory earned the right for Team Rashad to choose the next match up. The match up Rashad chose leads us to the biggest fight in the history of The Ultimate Fighter as Rashad chose Roy Big Country Nelson of his own team to take on KIMBO SLICE! The former IFL heavyweight champion Roy Nelson has faced names like Arlovski and Monson, while Kimbo Slice is looking for a chance to prove his legitimacy as a mixed martial artist.

411's Ultimate Fighter Report 9.30.09: Episode Three

Before we get into the episode I'll be formally taking the reigns on TUF Reports for this season. Jeremy has had a scheduling conflict and I'm going to do my best to live up to the standard he set, and a big thanks to Larry Csonka for covering last week's show.

We visit the house where Kimbo has put things in perspective between himself and God in his exile in the house, or so he describes to Abe Wagner. We'll know "Kimbo" will be at rest when the beard is gone. Will he ever be at rest though? Kimbo has a silly epiphany about himself being his own worst enemy that sounded absolutely ridiculous when he said it. Seriously it was Ultimate Warrior in his heyday esque. All he needed to start doing was mentioning the planets aligning to draw upon the powers of Warriors passed. We join Kimbo as he does some road work. Brendan Schaub and a few of the guys discuss that the fight could be a PPV. Roy Nelson feels Kimbo is a good guy who got the limelight too fast, but ran with it. Kimbo is an average guy, who doesn't feel he's a superstar and doesn't have a chip on his shoulder or anything to prove. He's a family man who likes to fight.

Team Rashad heads to the gym for their training session. Roy wants to run with the opportunity he has and making the UFC his home for the next 4 or 5 years. Rashad says he's very talented but doesn't like to depend on anyone for anything. He even trains in his house. Rashad wants to gain his trust and feels he has at this point in time. Rashad points to Nelson's experience as a big factor in picking him for the team and to fight Kimbo. Keith Jardine stops by to check in on Rashad's training session. Rashad says Rampage's jaw will probably start hurting as soon as he sees "KJ". OH SNAP! Rampage brings his team in and Rampage and Keith are actually pretty friendly. Rampage says he likes him a lot and they had a good fight.

Rashad begins needling Rampage about the jaw injury against Jardine. Rampage and Rashad argue about who didn't want to fight who. Rampage accuses Rashad of sending Jardine to do his dirty work. Rashad accuses Rampage of fighting Keith instead of him to get an easier fight. Rampage makes fun of Rashad's breath hiding behind Tiki and saying that's how he knocked out Chuck Liddell. Rampage calls out McSweeney and McSweeney isn't one to back down. Rampage starts mocking his English accent while McSweeney tells him all he does is stir shit. Rampage accuses James of having Rashad's nuts in his mouth. Rashad pulls McSweeney out because he thought he was ready to hit Rampage and get booted from the show. We go to our first commercial break.

Rampage says the most shocking thing of this season is Kimbo. He asks Kimbo about his beard and he's been growing it for years. Rampage is surprised about what a good guy he feels Kimbo is. The thing he likes most about him is his humility and willingness to learn. We see Team Rampage in a training session mainly focusing on Kimbo. The idea is to get Kimbo confident and work with him on his takedown defense and how to get off of his back. Rampage mentions Zak Jensen being able to stay on Kimbo in the mount due to his size. Rampage wants to drill with them again because of Roy's size. Rampage and Tiki question each others methods on how they're coaching Kimbo's ground game. Rampage spends a while wondering about the belly of Roy Nelson. In fairness its pretty immense.

Back at the house Wessel, Mitrione, and Schaub are talking about Roy's chances against Kimbo saying he's an easy target standing. They specifically mention Kimbo's head movement which is essentially just a constant pattern of moving his head left then right while still standing right in front of his opponent. Wes Shivers has some words of encouragement for Kimbo, basically telling him to believe in himself and how the coaches won‘t steer him wrong. Nelson talks about crucifix position and how if you count shots you land out loud the ref has a greater chance of stopping it. Roy talks about the intricacies of the ground game with some really veteran insight. We again head to commercial.

Team Rampage is back at the gym for another training session. Big Marcus Jones again seems to be having difficulties with his conditioning as he walks off. Rampage begins yelling and asking where he is. Marcus is now checking out his knees, specifically the left. Scott Junk makes it clear after Kimbo fights he wants to fight. Marcus then says he was promised the next week, and Rampage points out his knee problem. They argue about whether he can fight or not and Rampage wants to smack Marcus out of frustration. Rampage and Marcus talk on the side and Rampage says he's confident in him but doesn't want to put him in too early if his knee is bothering him. Marcus shows his emotions and agrees to go help Kimbo train. Rampage says next time he'll get a foot in the ass.

Back at the house Scott talks to Marcus about his sensitivity. Marcus admits his nickname is "Big Baby" and that he is an emotional guy. He used to play Dungeons and Dragons, loves comic books, and his true passion is his garden at home. He's also not kidding. He has about thirty plants at home and shows an inhuman love for his gardening. Kimbo says he won't judge him because he's a big dude from the hood. Kimbo and Marcus talk about growing up in the hood and how things changed for them. Kimbo didn't realize how known he was until a while after his fights were put online. Marcus says Kimbo is a good guy and a mentally strong individual who he feels a connection with. Kimbo and Marcus basically have a bromance and all that's missing is a musical montage like Savage and Hogan had at the height of the Mega Powers days.

The guys show up the next day to weigh in for their fight. Kimbo tips the scales at 230 pounds. Roy Nelson comes in at a svelte 264 pounds. Dana goes over all the possibilities the fight has between Nelson's ground game and experience and Kimbo's ferocity and punching power. Dana tells Roy he doesn't look 264 until Roy shows him the belly that Rampage seems fixated on. Dana then concedes.

Kimbo puts in some work with his team prior to his big fight. The guys engage in some really hard sparring sessions on the ground and standing up. Nelson also gets to work in the gym. While Rampage's team seemed to think he had a good chance of an upset, Team Rashad seem extremely confident in Roy's ability to beat Kimbo. Mitrione is in fact already sure of a victory over Roy, and feels this victory will get him to the UFC regardless, even with his "bad body".

Fight day is here. Rampage loves the work ethic of Kimbo. Rampage and Kimbo joke a few hours before fight time. Kimbo says Roy's game plan will obviously be to put him down because he's a shooter. The guys work out in the locker rooms. Nelson feels they've both paid their dues although he's done it more. Nelson says Kimbo will bring it and could KO him, but is optimistic he'll get it to the ground where he likes it. Nelson says if he feels he's winning the striking game he may keep it there, but obviously if its going the other way he'll take it to the ground. Kimbo fights because people want to see him fight, and because HE wants to see himself fight. He then throws up the Diamond Cutter sign. Hey Roy, BANG!

THE FIGHT: ROY NELSON {13-4} VS. KIMBO SLICE {3-1}

ROUND ONE: Your referee is Herb Dean. Slice will enjoy a three inch reach and two inch height advantage. Nelson outweighs Kimbo by 34 pounds. Roy out working his jav. Kimbo backing straight up. Roy keeps pumping out the jab. Lands a good one and Kimbo avoids the clinch. Roy working smart so far. Kimbo now throws a jab out. Kimbo with a leg kick. Into center octagon and Kimbo backs Roy up with his jab. Roy feints his way off of the cage. Kimbo to the body. Roy working a steady jab. Kimbo starting to jab with him. Nelson throws a hook Kimbo avoids. Roy with a left hook/jab combo. Kimbo bakcs Roy up and throws bombs not landing. He gets through with a dirty boxing uppercut and throws heavy shots but doesn't land. Roy gets a hold of him and puts him against the cage. Roy looking to put him down. Hits him with an open hand and gets double underhooks. They move along the fence and Slice is fighting the takedown with everything he's got. Nelson uses knees to Kimbo's far leg. He's also pressing into Kimbo with his head to keep him from thinking too much. Kimbo pushes Roy back but gets swept and Roy has mount! Over a minute to go. Kimbo looking to stall and holds Roy's head down. Roy gets free of his grip and puts his weight on him. Roy has wrist control of Kimbo's right hand and moves to side control, and a crucifix position. Slices nearly sweeps him using the fence but Roy uses his weight to leverage him back down. Roy working some ground and pound from the top and Herb Dean is telling Kimbo he needs to fight. 10 seconds to go! Roy is pounds away with shots that aren't necessarily heavy and the round ends.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Roy Nelson. He asserted his jab early to confuse Kimbo and when it went to the ground he assumed control fully. He didn't hurt Kimbo on the ground but completely took away his ability to defend hence why he was able to land so many unanswered shots and nearly got it stopped.

ROUND TWO: Kimbo throws a power jab at Roy. Kimbo appears a little more winded than Roy at this point. They each wing some shots that don't land and clinch. Kimbo lands a right hand and throws a knee, but Roy takes him to the ground into side control. Kimbo on the advice of Rampage is looking to stall for a stand up. Roy again has wrist control of Kimbo's right hand. Now Roy throws some shots with his left hand to Kimbo's head and face. Nelson now scooting into another crucifix style position taking away Kimbo's defense. Roy throwing light arm punches but Kimbo can't defend and Herb Dean stops it!

OFFICIAL DECISION: Winner by TKO, Round 2, Roy Nelson

Dana comments on the lack of power in Roy's punches. He said it was as if his daughter had him pinned down and hitting him. Rashad was really happy with Roy's performance. Rampage again goes back to his belly. Roy asks for a double whopper with cheese. Dana is pissed because Roy did just enough to win and not get hit, and feels he's acting as if he should be worshipped. Roy's happy and ready to get home and get something to eat.

Dana says Kimbo stepped up and fought, but needs to use this time to learn and take the next step in his career. Dana says one thing about TUF is that its never over till its over, and he may have an opportunity to fight again on the show. Kimbo feels like shit but he knows he has to keep going and he's not going to quit. He's going to keep at it.

Next week's preview shows Marcus Jones looking dominant in sparring, but collapsing at the house, speculating a Kimbo comeback. Team Rashad cooks up a strategy to continue a win streak, but there's a traitor in their midst.


SEASON STANDINGS THUS FAR:

TEAM Rashad:
* James McSweeney (1-0)
* Brendan Schaub
* Justin Wren
* Jon Madsen (1-0)
* Roy Nelson (1-0)
* Darrill Schoonover
* Matt Mitrione
* Mike Wessel

TEAM Rampage:
* Kimbo Slice (0-1)
* Abe Wagner (0-1)
* Demico Rogers
* Wes Sims
* Scott Junk
* Wes Shivers (0-1)
* Marcus Jones
* Zak Jensen

-Winners in BLUE
-Losers in RED