TUF 8: Escudero, Bader become "The Ultimate Fighters"

Report by Victor Perea & Anthony Springer Jr
Photos by Josh Hodges/UFC

Boxing has proven that when you stick the right Filipino and pretty much any Mexican in the ring, you are going to be entertained. That now holds true for the Octagon as Efrain “Hecho en Mexico” Escudero rendezvoused with his teammate from the Ultimate Fighter, Phillipe “Filipino Assassin” Nover inside The Pearl at The Palms in Las Vegas to decide who would take home a six-figure contract.

Their paths to the Octagon were quite similar besides each winning three bouts on the show to land in the finale. Nover was born to hard working Filipino parents in Brooklyn, NY. Parents which he gives full credit for paving the way for any opportunities that he and his brother have been given.

Likewise Escudero was born in Sonora Mexico before coming to the states in search of the American dream, and has worked for everything he has earned so far and both continue to do so. Far from human cockfighters, both athletes include homework into their daily training schedules. Nover a registered nurse, is working on his bachelor’s degree while Escudero is majoring in Criminal Justice and Sociology.  By the way, both were undefeated as professionals heading into this bout.

Wearing red over white Nover came after Escudero who wore white over red, with a double left jab. Another double jab followed by an overhand right from Nover had Escudero shooting for a takedown after which he landed in top position. Nover kicked “Hecho en Mexico” off of him but in something that would happen throughout the bout, stayed on his back while Escudero looked down on him. Throwing looping punches while standing over his opponent Escudero landed a monster right hand that bounced Nover’s head off the canvas with a loud thud. Nover eventually got to his feet where he ate a hard left hand that clearly hurt him. Nover immediately dropped and clinched hoping to recover. Escudero complied and found himself not only letting his opponent recover, but now defending a triangle.

The twenty-two year old Escudero would take down Nover twice more before the round would end although he would never be able to improve his position once on the mat. After making to his feet again Nover landed a flying knee to the body and the two clinched as an exciting round came to an end.

Nover came out swinging to start the second and like he did during the first Escudero answered with a takedown. Continuing with the first round trend Escudero was unable to accomplish anything once on the ground and decided to stand up. For the umpteenth time Escudero stood over Nover who laid on his back throwing up-kicks. Nover jumped to his feet and like clockwork Escudero refused to trade with the superior striking, and shot for another takedown straight away. Nover stuffed the attempt, along with the one that followed and the two fighters clinched. As soon as they broke, Escudero shot for another takedown. Nover slapped on a guillotine attempt and went down willingly. However the hold was not nearly tight enough and he quickly gave it up.

As the ten second warning was given, Nover kicked Escudero off of him, and then tripped him up as he turned away. Nover landed a flying left knee and with only a couple ticks to go Escudero ate the kick, held on to the leg and slammed Nover to the mat with authority as the round closed.

Aware that the plethora of takedowns from Escudero had him down on the scorecards Nover came out firing and a  left jab-straight right tagged Escudero. Instinctively he shot for a takedown and got it again. Again he did nothing with it and gave it up to stand over his adversary until he too made it to his feet.

Double left jab landed for the twenty-four year old Nover as time continued to tick away. Left-right tagged Escudero and again he shot and got the takedown. Nover got back to his feet and began to work his way back into the fight.

Running out of time a Nover front kick was caught by Escudero who once more took the fight to the ground. Nover a recent proud recipient of his bjj black belt, first went for an omaplata and then a gogoplata. Nover hammer fisted and elbowed away at Escudero’s right shoulder in hopes of opening him up enough to slip his foot under his neck. Escudero managed to escaped after what seemed like an eternity and finished the bout on his back with Nover standing above for a change.

After three action filled rounds the judges awarded Escudero the unanimous decision victory by identical scores of 29-28. With the victory Escudero (11-0) wins a six figure contract with the Ultimate Fighting Championship and keeps his undefeated record intact. Meanwhile the still promising Nover (5-1-1) will have to hope his outstanding performance throughout the show will earn him a return ticket to the Octagon.-- Victor Perea

Bader Uses the Force to Become the Next Ultimate Fighter

Ryan “Darth” Bader needed just 2:18 to become the season 8 Ultimate Fighter in the light heavyweight division. The Arizona fighter defeated jiu-jitsu phenom Vinny Magalhaes.

Despite an improved standup game, Magalhaes was no match for the striking and strength of Bader.

When the opening bell sounded, the pair traded strikes with neither fighter gaining a distinct advantage. Bader scored early with a knee, but Magalhaes was able to respond with a punch that left a mouse under Bader’s eye.

The tide turned in Bader’s favor for good after a massive right jab sent Vinny crashing to the canvas. Seizing the opportunity, Bader pounced and after a series of hammer fists, Herb Dean was forced to intervene.

With the win, Bader earned a six figure UFC contract and keeps his record unblemished at 9-0. --Anthony Springer Jr.

Wilson Gouveia vs. Jason MacDonald 2:18 tapout

In one of only two non-TUF bouts on the card Canadian Jason “The Athelete” MacDonald met Wilson Gouveia, at middleweight; sort of. Coming in at the middleweight limit of 185lbs at Friday’s weigh in was something MacDonald, a corrections officer who recently signed a four fight extension with the UFC complied with. Unfortunately Gouveia did not fulfill his side of the middleweight agreement and was four pounds on the wrong side of the limit at the weigh in. After 20% of Gouveia’s purse became MacDonald’s Christmas gift, the fight was set to go.

Using a 2 inch height and 4 inch reach advantage MacDonald willingly began throwing strikes. An inside leg kick started things off for Gouveia- a bjj black belt after which the fighters clinched and exchanged strikes from inside. A left jab-left kick to the body began to work for MacDonald. Just as he found his rhythm, Gouveia landed a right hook-straight left combination that dropped the Canadian on command.

Gouveia (12-5) pounced on his opponent and elbowed his way to submission at 2:18 of the first round, an impressive win for the Brazilian, over gatekeeper MacDonald (22-11).-- Victor Perea

Marshall gives “Cotton mouth from the South” a fistful

With zero professional bouts Amir Sadollah tore through the seventh installment of The Ultimate Fighter winning the middleweight portion after coming out victorious in five bouts on the show. Not everybody can have that kind of success with a blank resume, case and point Jules “Cotton mouth from the South” Bruchez.

After a being eliminated in the second round of the tournament via first round submission Jules had several months to train for his professional debut. However all the training in the world could not prepare him for an eager Eliot Marshall who entered the bout with five victories in six professional bouts. 

Immediately Marshal landed a big right hand, followed by four punch combination that landed on target. Down but not out Bruchez got tossed to the ground, from there Marshall effortlessly earned full mount, took Bruchez’ back and got his hooks in.

Marshall quickly found a home for a rear naked choke and forced a tap at 1:27 of the very first round, total domination.

“I don’t think it gets better than that in your first UFC fight,” said Marshall (6-1) to Joe Rogan after the bout. Bruchez (0-1) will have to pay his dues elsewhere if wants to fight inside the octagon again.-- Victor Perea

Kingsbury run into ground by “Filthy”

The first light heavyweight bout of the evening featured California’s Kyle Kingsbury taking on “Filthy” Tom Lawlor.

Fighting out of Orlando, Lawlor came in with 33% less experience and 4 inches shorter on the height scale. Kingsbury would never be allowed to put those advantages to use as Lawlor kept Kingsbury on his back from the opening seconds. Lawlor opened up looking for the take down; something he would did early and would do often. Kingsbury stuffed the first attempt but eventually succumbed and found himself on his back. Once on the ground Lawlor took side control and began to pound away.

Kingsbury stayed on his back for the better portion of the next six minutes, failing to do anything other than survive. Although Lawlor was not landing any superb combination from top position, he worked enough to keep the fight from being stood up. Much to the dismay of a very loud and unbelievably annoying ringside observer seated directly next to the media.

Lawlor, with his Paul Bunion beard smothered Kingsbury until midway through the third round when Kingsbury found an opening. As Lawlor shot for a takedown Kingsbury stuffed him and began to hammer fist away. Lawlor was unhurt and continued to work for the take down while Kingsbury pounded away to no avail.

To the dismay of Kingsbury’s sizeable fan base that cheered him on, eventually “Filthy” earned the final take down as the bout came to a close.

All three judges scored the contest 29-28 for Lawlor (5-1, 1-NC) leaving the talented Kingsbury (7-2, 1-NC) disappointed.

“That’s what I got for you tonight,” said Lawlor to Joe Rogan 

“Evan Tanner tribute beard,” added Lawlor referring to the late former UFC Champion Evan Tanner who died an untimely death earlier this year.-- Victor Perea

Crazy Cuban beats Buckets of Blood

Faithful UFC fans made their way to The Pearl at The Palms early on Saturday night to witness the undercard fighters battle it out for a chance to impress the brass enough to be welcomed back after this tough TUF Finale.

The lovable John “Buckets of Blood” Polakowski entered the contest feared more for his uncomfortably long hugs than his hands of steel. Across the octagon from Polakowski stood Rolando “Crazy Cuban” Delgado a fellow lightweight hopeful.

Delgado came into the bout with a five inch height advantage as well as comfortable distance in the reach. It was Polakowski that came out, landing a right hook to the body, left hook upstairs. The Jiu-jitsu veteran ate the combination and answered back with a flying right knee that caught Polakowski right on the button.

Delgado jumped on his opponent and took his back, but on the advice of a ringside observer Polakowski was able to escape and “Unleash the furry” as the round closed.

Polakowski entered the second round as eager as he did the first, coming after Delgado with another right hook to the body left hook upstairs as they traded. The second on target punch cued Delgado for a repeat flying knee. Fortunately for “Buckets of Blood” he was able to avoid it. Polakowski went back upstairs and Delgago- a debated Jiu-jitsu black belt took the fight to the ground. After Polakowski failed at a loose guillotine attempt, Delgado answered with one of his own forcing a tap at 2:18.

“I landed that in my first pro fight 7 years ago and it took me 7 years to land it again,” said Delgado (8-3-1) after the fight. “That guy has tons of talent, this was just a bad match up for him,” added Delgado of Polakowski (2-2). -- Victor Perea

Nelson Ekes Out a Victory

In the night’s second preliminary bout, George Roop earned a hard fought split decision victory over fellow Team Mir teammate Shane Nelson.

The match was the quintessential striker vs. grappler contest. Roop held a distinct advantage on the feet and came out firing leg kicks and punches early in the first round. Nelson was able to fend off the early onslaught by Roop, and attempted a rear naked choke. On the ground, Nelson was unable to finish the bout despite a strong body triangle, as Roop was able to avoid the submission with exceptional sub defense.

Roop was able to escape when Nelson went for the mount as time expired in the first round.

Round two proved to be nearly identical to the first, with Roop pushing the pace on the feet, only to be nullified by a Nelson takedown.  As the round ticked to a close, Roop was able to escape again, finishing with a late flurry of knees and punches.

The third and final round looked to be anybody’s fight. The urgency was clearly on Roop, who came out gunning for the knock out. A gassed Nelson was rocked midway through the round with a right hand, but persevered through the storm. With time threatening to expire, he took Roop down for a final time, and secured a foot lock in the closing seconds.

The judges scored the round 29-28 Nelson (twice), and 29-28 Roop.

Both FightNews writers scored the bout 29-28 for Roop. --Anthony Springer Jr.

Sozynski Dominates Primm

In the night’s final undercard bout, Shane Primm had no answer for Krzystof Sozynski and was defeated with a kimura at 3:27 in the second round.

“The Polish Experiment” dominated from the opening bell, overwhelming his opponent with superior striking. Even as Primm attempted to take the fight to the ground, he was no match for Sosynzski on the mat.

Round two spelled the beginning of the end for the man fighting out of Tampa, as the Team Quest fighter dominated wherever the fight went. After punishing Primm in the standup, Soszynski advanced to side control when the bout made its way to the Octagon floor. From there, Soszynski locked in a nasty kimura that appeared to pop dislocate Primm’s elbow as he was forced to tap.

With the win, Soszynski improves to 17-9-1. Primm stands at 1-1. --Anthony Springer Jr.

Browning Backs up Tough Talk; Smashes Kaplan

There was no fighter in the history of The Ultimate Fighter more hated than Junie Browning. After several lackluster fights, Browning failed to back up his verbiage and was labeled as little more than a trash talker.

A move down to Las Vegas to train at Xtreme Couture worked wonders, as Browning submitted teammate Dave Kaplan with an arm bar in the first round.

Browning put on an MMA clinic, battering Kaplan with punches, knees, and kicks. Kaplan showed zero head movement and was literally a target for his Kentucky adversary. While “Diamond” Dave boasted that he could never be knocked out on the show, he was certainly outworked by his 23-year-old rival.

When the fight hit the ground, it was all Browning, minus an attempted foot lock by Kaplan. At several points during the bout, Browning threatened with a rear naked choke, but Washington, D.C. fighter was able to escape.

As the two tussled on the ground for the final time, Browning was able to work an arm bar, forcing Kaplan to tap.

During the post fight interview with Joe Rogan, Browning apologized for his antics on the show to a mixture of cheers and boos.

Whether you love or hate Junie Browning, the victory proves that we haven’t seen the last of “The Lunatic” in the Octagon. --Anthony Springer Jr.

Johnson Avenges Loss, Puts Burns to Sleep

In their first fight, Kevin Burns nearly ended the career of Anthony Johnson. Burns won a controversial TKO victory after inadvertently poking Johnson in the eye. Johnson appealed the ruling, but the referee’s decision was upheld.

At the Ultimate Finale, Johnson would have his revenge, knocking Burns out with a brutal head kick in the third round.

Both men attempted to impose their will from the outset, trading leg kicks and punches. Johnson scored early with a takedown, but Burns jiu-jitsu skills prevented Johnson from doing much damage from the top position.

As time ticked away in the first round, the crowd at The Pearl was treated to a slug fest, with both men firing away as the bell sounded. Johnson appeared to get the better of the exchange, landing two shots to Burns’ one.

With a lead going into the third round, Johnson refused to rest on his laurels and coast to the decision victory. Living up his nickname of “Rumble,” Johnson attempted to make a statement early in the round. Known primarily for his heavy hands, Johnson showed off his evolving striking game and kept Burns at bay with his kicks. The final kick was reminiscent of Rashad Evans’ victory over Sean Salmon. As Johnson went in for the kick that would bring the fight to a close, Burns met the shin halfway. The blow sent Burns crashing to the mat prompting a swift halt to the bout.

“It just happened,” Johnson said during post fight interview after telling Joe Rogan that he had only been working on kicks for two months.

The victory improves Johnson’s UFC record to 3-2. --Anthony Springer Jr.