TUF 13, Episode 8 recap; first semi-finalists advance
Team Lesnar’s Clay Harvison (8-3) vs. Team Dos Santos’ Ramsey Nijem (4-1) Dana does the intros, Steve Mazzagatti officiates the…
Team Lesnar’s Clay Harvison (8-3) vs. Team Dos Santos’ Ramsey Nijem (4-1)
Dana does the intros, Steve Mazzagatti officiates the action, and we’re underway.
Clay looks to throw hands, and Ramsey immediately ducks and shoots to get the takedown. Clay tries to get back up, but Ramsey takes his back in the process. Clay continues fighting to get up while Ramsey tries to secure his hooks. He eventually flattens out Clay, delivers some hard punches, and then quickly locks in a fight-ending rear-naked choke.
It’s the quickest finish to a fight this season.
Dana mentions that Junior’s belief that Ramsey is the season’s best fighter may just be correct.
Junior is thrilled and thinks the season is Ramsey’s to win. Clay obviously is disappointed, but Dana, who was impressed by his toughness in his previous bout, says he has nothing to be shamed of.
Team Lesnar’s Chris Cope (4-1) vs. Team Dos Santos’ Shamar Bailey (10-3)
Referee Josh Rosenthal gets us started, and we’re underway.
Shamar wings some shots as Chris patiently circles. Chris continues bouncing until Shamar lands a punch when he catches him flatfooted. He does it again a few seconds later. Shamar gains some confidence, but his punches are missing wide. Chris takes the center of the cage and creates some distance. But Shamar rushes in for a single-leg takedown. Chris defends and pops Shamar with punches to the head and body while showing good balance. Shamar continues working for the takedown, but Chris listens to his corner and defends well. He eventually pushes off Shamar, and we start again. Chris works jabs, circles and then easily stuffs another takedown attempt. Shamar clinches with Chris against the cage, but Chris again easily circles off. Shamar moves in with punches and clinches again, but Chris works a few quick knees to the body and gets through some punches before circling off. Shamar continues to stalk as Chris circles. Shamar lands a left and moves in for the takedown, but Chris again unloads punches to the head and body as Shamar wraps the hips. Chris again uses a whizzer to circle off and reset. Shamar now waves in Chris before shooting again. Chris stuffs it and unloads knees before a surprising first round ends. MMAjunkie.com scores it 10-9 for Chris for controlling the action.
Between rounds, Dana and Brock implore Chris to let his hands fly.
The second round opens, and the fighters trade punches before bouncing out of range. Shamar moves in and eats a counter shot. Chris throws jabs and straight punches with more frequency. Shamar gets through a nice body shot. Chris stays light on his feet and lands some counter shots. Shamar moves in with a punch but is countered again. Shamar shoots, but Chris again easily defends and unloads knees to the body while pushes into the fencing. He then circles off and lands a nice right. The fighters circle some more, and Shamar shoots for a single leg. It looks like he’s got it, but Chris again balances out of it. While clinched, the fighters trade knees, but Chris circles away. Shamar lands a nice combo, resets, but is then countered with a combo. Shamar continues moving in with punches, but Chris has his timed well now. He pushes Shamar into the cage, is reversed, but continues landing more punches and knees. Chris then circles away. Shamar lands some straight punches, but they don’t seem to have much effect, and Chris defends against another takedown before unloading dozens of punches to the head and body while Shamar clings to his hips. Chris circles away before the second round ends without Shamar scoring a single takedown in the entire fight. MMAjunkie.com scores it 10-9 for Chris in what should be a pretty significant upset.
The judges agree and unanimously score it 20-18 for Chris.