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The Ultimate Fighter Week 8: Court McGee def. James Hammortree

Week 8 extends a season that has been focusing on fights rather than drama, second chances and up and comers rather than washed up football players looking for a second career. It hasn’t been the most exciting season, but seems to have revisited some of the attributes that made it one of the most exciting reality shows for MMA fans.

Kyacey Uscola heads into the octagon against Kris McCray moments after finding out his new baby has been born and is healthy. Both fighters are revenging an earlier loss following this season’s theme of second chances. The first wild card in TUF history features two fighters from Team Ortiz so Tito is sitting this one out.

The fighters step into the center and Kris comes out kicking but immediately takes a clean punch from Uscola. They continue to feel each other out throughout the first minute of the round when Uscola kicks McCray in the center if his left shin cause McCray to wince. McCray uses instinct to wrap Uscola up and pins him against the fence. McCray connects with some knees as he holds his opponent ultimately cracking Uscola in the cup. The last thing this fight needed was more time. To finish the round a couple of nice takedowns result in McCray in control and landing some ground and pound.

Possibly feeling some urgency, Uscola comes out swinging, but McCray ends up with a quick takedown and on top of Kyacey Uscola. After about a minute of complete control, Kris McCray wraps up Kyacey’s arm and manages the submission.

It is the time of the season o choose the quarter final fights and it isn’t call. The fights are as follows:

• Nick Ring versus Court McGee
• Kyle Noke versus Kris McCray
• Brad Tavares versus Seth Baczynski
• Jamie Yager versus Josh Bryant

Back at the house, a guest enters and it is Forrest Griffin with the new version of the UFC video game, UFC 2010. It is a two hour reprieve to let the fighters hang loose and kick some virtual ass. Then after Nick Ring finds out he has reinjured his ACL and is questioning whether or not to withdrawal from the tournament. Dana White pays the house a visit and Nick confirms his decision to withdrawal and get his third reconstructive surgery on his left ACL. Yet another second chance is in store for someone.

Before Dana leaves, he announces to the group of Nick’s decision and lets them know he will consult the coaches for a decision. Hammortree mans up and chases Dana down to claim the spot and in typical Dana style he walks back into the house and says the decision is made. Dana always loves someone willing to fight so Hammortree did himself a great service in confidently expressing to Dana his desire. Joe Henle was a bit shocked at the quick decision, but it is never as appealing the second time is it?

Taking the fight on short notice, James Hammortree runs out to meet Court McGee in the center of the octagon and lands a jab. Court returns a solid kick at the close of the first minute of round one. Minor exchanges continue and at the end of a kick Court is able to catch the heel of Hammortree and after some swiveling gets him to the ground. Quickly returning to his feet however, Hammortree connects with a few punches. McGee takes another punch or two, but manages to grab Hammortree and slam him to the ground. Again Hammortree is quick to his feet. Hammortree eludes a third takedown, the fighters exchange and Hammortree scores his own takedown of McGee. McGee is able to switch position prior to the end of the round making it as close as it can get.

Round two kicks off and both fighters seem eager to pick the action back up. Then only 24 seconds into the round, Court McGee is able to sink in a standing Guillotine choke and has James Hammortree tap. Not something you see often, but something that Hammortree will know to avoid later. Impressive win for Court McGee and the first fighter to win his quarterfinal fight.

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The Ultimate Fighter 11 Week 3: Brad Tavares def. James Hammortree

Week 3 already as Team Punishment will look to take control away from Team Liddell. Last week, Kyle Noke took the first victory for his team and put Team Liddell in control to choose the next fight. The downside to any possible drama this week is that the news has already broken that Chuck and Tito will not be fighting at the completion of this season. Chuck Liddell will be fighting Rich Franklin as Tito’s replacement. Read more about that at Franklin to Meet Liddell at UFC 115.

The episode starts right off with bad news for fighter Chris Camozzi. Chris fought a tough match to get into the house and after complaining of a tooth ache it was determined he had a fractured jaw. To risk any serious injury he was told he had to leave the show. What happens now is that Team Punishment will get to choose who can come back and gain a spot in the house. The coaches voted for Seth Baczynski, so, just like that, bunk up with the comeback entrance into the fighter house.

Chuck is in control so when it is time to select the next fight, Team Liddell chooses Brad Tavares to match up against Team Punishment’s James Hammortree. As the teams get back to training, Tito continues to show his dedication to coaching the young fighters by focusing them on their routines and maintaining a team effort to assist each other in advancing in the competition.

Both fighters geared up for this week’s match-up seemed very focused in getting further by taking the fight to the other and getting the KO. As the fight kicks off, it is apparent that their intentions are real as they immediately get to the center of the ring and Tavares sizes Hammortree up with some kicks. James Hammortree manages to get Brad Tavares against the cage and then onto the mat. Things don’t stay that way for the long as Brad gets the reversal and holds control of James.

However, things switch up once again and it is now Hammortree in control on top of Tavares. Brad Tavares manages to get back to his feet and as they lean against the cage, then down to the mat… the fighters continually alternate control of the other. The back and forth shows how evenly matched the fighters are which makes for an entertaining first round.

As round two begins, it is right back to the action as Tavares connects with a nice left as Hammortree comes in. As they end up on the ground, the fighters once again trade dominant position. Hammortree is getting the better of his opponent as he is able to keep Tavares against the cage for some time and maintain top position for the majority of the round. Continuing to try and make something happen from the bottom, Brad Tavares isn’t giving up. At the completion of the second round, Dana informs the fighters it is a draw and we’ll go to a third round.

The third starts slow, but after Tavares connects he seems to get a second wind. However, it isn’t long before they are back on the ground with Hammortree on top. Contrary to the first two rounds though, Brad Tavares is able to reverse and maintain top position over James Hammortree and give a little ground and pound of his own. Keeping Hammortree’s left arm locked up, Tavares is able to land some decent blows to the side of his opponent’s head. Managing the clock, Brad Tavares keeps control and runs out any chances for Hammortree to recover.

It is always a bad idea to leave it to the judges, but it looks as though Brad Tavares will be victorious. Sure enough, Brad Tavares is announced as the winner by unanimous decision. This puts Chuck Liddell up by two fights and sends Tito Ortiz back to rounding up the team in an attempt to keeping his team motivated.

Check back next week when the fourth episode of The Ultimate Fighter 11 will have two fights and a promise of a controversial ending to one of them.

Hey, TUF guy! We have plenty of official The Ultimate Fighter clothing in our huge MMA Clothing and Gear store, including the brand new Punishment Athletics Team Fighter T-Shirt.