411’s The Ultimate Fighter 7 Report 4.2.08: Episode 1

Posted by Jeremy Lambert on 04.02.2008

The Ultimate Fighter returns with an all new season. Things have been changed up this year as 16 guuys have to fight their way onto the show instead of just making it. Middleweights try to earn the UFC contract as Light Heavyweight Champion Quinton Jackson and The Ultimate Fighter 1 Winner Forrest Griffin coach them up.

The Ultimate Fighter 7: Team Rampage vs. Team Griffin
Episode 1

We begin with a recap of previous Ultimate Fighter seasons including the winners and the guys who got kicked out of the house. IT ALL CHANGES THIS SEASON~!

16 fighters enter the UFC gym and they all feel good. 8 more guys enter and the first 16 don't know what's going on. 8 more arrive and everyone is confused. The room is quiet as all 32 guys just kind of look at each other. DANA WHITE~! Enters the gym and gathers the fighters.

Dana introduces the coaches, Forrest Griffin and Quinton Jackson. Dana says that he gets tired every season of the pussies and the posers and this season, he's going to weed them out. This season, you have to fight your own on the show. "I think some of them crapped their pants…I smelled it" says Jackson. The evaluation process this season is the fights.

The guys begin to cut weight and train for their upcoming fight. Some guys are pissed they have to fight their way onto the show, others are ready to throw down. Guys begin weighing in. Everyone makes weight.

Elimination Fight: Prince McLean vs. Mike Dolce

Round One: Dolce knocks Prince down early but can't finish. Dolce lands a big slam and then just holds him down. Prince fights to his feet and then gets KNOCKED OUT~!

"That's my note for him….DAMN!" says Jackson. He also says that he doesn't smell too good. Just too many funny comments to recap.

Elimination Fight: Cale Yarbrough vs. John Clarke

Round One: John scores an easy takedown after looking scared on the feet. John passes to side control and then to a crucifix position. John ends up getting his back but Cale gets to his feet. John suplexes him but Cale turns into his guard. John goes for an armbar but Cale rolls out. Cale gets to his feet and pounds out John for the win.

Elimination Fight: Steve Byrnes vs. Amir Sadollah

Round One: Steve works hard for a takedown and ends up in half guard. Amir forces him back to guard where not much happens. Steve passes to half guard and drops some elbows. Steve tries to pass to mount but Amir turns him over and ends up in guard. Steve works for an armbar but Amir fights it off. Amir tries to pass to mount for but Steve flips him over and ends up in guard. Amir locks in a triangle choke and throws elbows. Steve fights out but Amir knocks out his mouthpiece. Steve lands some hammer fists as the round ends.

Round Two: Steve scores a quick takedown but Amir works to his feet. Another takedown by Steve but Amir rolls out and into mount. Amir just rolls out of mount but secures an armbar for the win.

Amir tries to straddle the cage but slips and falls. Forrest and Jackson enjoyed the fight.

We get fight highlights instead of full fights now:

*CB Dollaway destroyed someone in a matter of minutes.
*Daunte picked someone up, slammed him near the cage, and won with a kimura.
*Nick Klein beat a friend of Griffin's with an arm triangle
*Paul Bradley Sean Sherk'd some guy. Dana White was pissed that Paul did nothing but lay on his opponent.

Dave Roberts trains with Quinton Jackson, a long time friend of Jackson's. Jackson calls him his brother.

Elimination Fight: Dave Roberts vs. Jeremy May

Round One: Jeremy lands some good punches to start. Jeremy drops Dave but Dave recovers and scores a takedown. Jeremy quickly puts him in an armbar and Dave taps out.

Jeremy and Rampage exchange some words but it seems to be all in fun. Dave feels that he let Jackson down.

Next Week: 8 MORE FIGHTS~!

Comments: People complained about too much in house stuff and not enough fights but that's already changing this season as the first two episodes are nothing but fights. Can't really judge any of these guys just yet but Jeremy May and Mike Dolce were the most impressive of the 4 full fights. Everyone should watch this show for the comments of Jackson and Griffin alone as they have some hilarious lines during commentary and after-fight thoughts.