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The Ultimate Fighter Week 9: Kris McCray def. Kyle Noke

Working on the completing the quarter final fights week 9 of The Ultimate Fighter will consist of two quarter final fights and has promised a surprise about one of the coaches that will shock everyone. Not sure there will be much shock as we have long known Chuck and Tito will not be fighting. McCray who took the wildcard win will be fighting Kyle Noke, a long time friend. In addition, Seth Baczynski will take on Brad Tavares.

At the opening of the episode, Tito’s news is exposed as he announces to some of his team that he could be under the knife once again for another neck surgery. Everyone knows of Tito’s troubles with injuries to his spine both at the back and within his neck. Having had numerous surgeries to date, he questions whether or not he should go under once again.

In the meantime, Kris McCray and Kyle Noke have to prepare to fight and for the first time for each of them they are matched up against a long time friend. We will see if either feels the pressure or if they can step up and get the job done. Kris McCray is a strong fighter by much less experienced when it comes to fighting at this level. Kyle Noke has shown his skill and has a significant advantage.

Kris is noticeably less confident, or at least it seems, as they stand across from each other on opposite ends of the octagon. However, as they come out, Kris engages with a jab and a kick and even after taking a knee scores a takedown. They are soon back on the feet, but McCray manages a second takedown of the more experienced Noke. At the halfway point you can tell the fighters have forgotten about their past relationship and they just want to win.

Kyle Noke gets a good grip of Kris McCray’s neck and continues to squeeze, on the ground, as they get back to the feet and back to the ground again. McCray does manage to escape eventually and take top position. Kyle does a great job at managing from the bottom and landing more punches and elbows than Kris can do from the top.

They exchange punches at the beginning of round two and for the third time Kris McCray gets a takedown and then a fourth. He isn’t causing any damage once he gets Noke down, but doesn’t seem to have any trouble getting him there. Not a match you want sitting in the judges hands if you are Kyle Noke. Kris manages control past the halfway point of the round, but then Kyle Noke slides around, gets Kris’ back and begins to work. An exhausted McCray allows Kyle Noke to get an arm around the neck that is eventually let loose for some reason. Without any real effort Kris McCray is back on top to finish the round.

Dana announces the fight is over but shortly after steps into the octagon and announces it is not yet over. Like we mentioned, in the hands of the judges at this point and with that we have to think this is Kris McCray’s fight to win.

In solid fashion Kris gets another easy takedown at the beginning of the round and much of the same. Kyle Noke is breathing heavy from the mouth while on his back and the seconds are flying by. Half way through the round, McCray is still in control on top of Noke. The student amongst many experienced fighters is showing he has the heart to be The Ultimate Fighter. Kyle Noke tries a submission but ultimately is unsuccessful and the referee stands them back up. It makes no difference as Kris McCray grabs hold of Kyle Noke and with ten seconds remaining has Kris has Kyle against the cage. With the control Kris had over Kyle throughout the round, all three judges score in favor of McCray. Winner McCray!

Brad Tavares and Seth Baczynski are expected to be a bit different. They like each other, but aren’t long term friends. Bottom line is that they are ready to fight and both want to bang until one of them drops. The frenzy begins and the energy is high, as Seth holds Tavares against the cage and gets him to the ground. Suddenly Seth has Taveres’ back with both hooks in. Brad is defending, but Seth has the hooks deep. The monkey will not get off his back as Seth moves to a body triangle and eventually slips an arm in under the chin of Tavares. Tavares does escape, but Seth remains strong until a point where he lets open an opportunity.

Brad springs into action and moves into top position. Seth locks in around Brad’s head, but Brad lifts Seth and slams him twice. With less than thirty seconds to go, Brad Tavares lands numerous punches. At the close of the round as the buzzer sounds, Seth kicks Brad in the face and it appears as though he is out for a split second. The round closes with Brad trying to regain his senses as it was obvious the kick landed perfectly.

As we come back from the break the doctor and referee are discussing whether Brad Tavares can continue. After a quick discussion it is decided Brad cannot continue and he is declared the winner by disqualification of Seth Baczynski by illegal kick at the close of round one. There is a bit of controversy at the call as team Ortiz believes the kick was to the chest and not to the face. Tito and Chuck get into a shouting match over the fact that coaches from Team Punishment disrespected a member of Team Liddell. Obviously stemming from frustration that the two may not fight at the close of the season and they truly hate each other.

Danas pull Chuck aside and alerts him that Tito has officially pulled from the end of the season fight. Chuck stands up pissed and then the teasers begin. Will Tito be allowed to continue as a coach knowing he is out of the end matchup. The final quarter final fight ends in tragedy and the finals are announced. All of this next week on The Ultimate Fighter and reported here as no one else can.

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The Ultimate Fighter 11 Week 7: Seth Baczynski def Joe Henle

Another week of The Ultimate Fighter Season 11 means another week of fights accompanied with more drama. Packed full of injuries, this season of TUF has been full of second chances. On top of everything known, the episode starts with Nick Ring, last week’s winner, also complaining of a possible injury. Let’s see was tonight’s fight brings us.

The matchup will be Joe Henle of Team Liddell and Seth Baczynski of Team Punishment. Joe Henle is a very inexperienced fighter in comparison to some of the other guys on the show, but has been managing to win fights. Turning pro in July doesn’t allow for him to anticipate everything that might come at him from a more experienced Seth Baczynski. However, if Henle can keep focused and pull off another win like he did to get into the house in the first place, he can move one step closer. He managed to pull off an armbar after being overmatched in his first fight and will be keeping his eyes open for a similar chance to put another win in the books.

This week’s episode has definitely been focused on the fight and less sidebars of drama and it is time for the fight at hand. The tough as nails Seth Baczynski will take on the strong hearted Joe Henle.

As round one kicks off the fighters reach the center of the octagon and start to feel each other out. Quickly Seth is on his back but seems to be controlling Henle from the bottom and nearly submitting him twice and Henle barely escapes. Henle has a wrestling background and he is attempting to use that as his inexperience is being displayed with his lack of ground game. Even when he has Seth’s back he doesn’t attempt anything and quickly finds things reversed and Seth in top position. Seth manages to land a few elbows to the face of the defending Henle as the round closes.

Round two begins and the fighters exchange blows and kicks. As the fighters find themselves on the ground, Henle seems to be in control this time and ultimately has Seth’s back. Seth gets loose, but quickly finds himself on his back again and taking some punches to his ribcage. Not much damage being exchange though as the fighters are merely fighting for control and not throwing many punches. When Seth finds himself loose he lands a flying knee to the turnbuckle. Henle, exhausting, almost gets caught in a rear naked choke but gets saved by the round’s end.

After the first two rounds are declared a draw, we get ready for the third and final round. Seth seems eager to turn things up and immediately takes Henle to the ground and begins to work. Why the referee has not stood them up as they just lie hugging in the corner is troubling, but Seth takes advantage of the time and then moves into a dominant position and lands a few punches. If he can finish in this position with two minutes remaining he will win the fight. Seth continues to work on Henle grazing Henle’s body and head with weak punches.

Henle really doesn’t know what to do and Seth is scoring just enough to take the fight, but certainly not in an impressive fashion. The fight comes to an end and the judges will provide their scores momentarily. The simple fact that with six months experience Joe Henle held his own probably says less for Seth than anything. Seth does manage to win the fight by unanimous decision, but Joe Henle just needs to keep doing what he is doing and increasing his skill.

Before the end of this week’s episode, Dana White announces the wildcard fight for next week and mentions Kyacey Uscola and Kris McCray get the second chance. Again, with injuries plaguing this year’s fighters, Court McGee will take the open spot redeeming what we thought and obviously Dana thought should have been a third round opportunity last week against Nick Ring. Here’s to second chances!

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.