TUF4, Episode 7: The Final Two Welterweights Clash

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TUF4, Episode 7: The Final Two Welterweights Clash

Event Title: The Ultimate Fighter Season 4: Episode 7
Event Date: 28 September 2006
Event Venue:
Event Location: Las Vegas

Date submitted: 29 September 2006

Submitted by: Sean McClure

Firstly, a HUGE apology to those who read this column regularly. My cable service went out for the first 15-20 minutes of the show and I didn't get to see what happened. I haven't had too much trouble with the company, but for some reason it felt the need to abandon me in my time of need.

I picked up where Matt Serra was discussing his displeasure with his advice from Rich on what to do in the fight. Rich Franklin is a complete fighter that is for certain, but that doesn't mean he is always going to be right in his advice. Serra definitely makes it clear that he does not think the advice from Rich is valid and later on speaks with Randy Couture about it. Randy doesn't think it is a good move either and they have a small laugh about it.

One thing I can say about Matt is that he speaks his mind freely.

Charles McCarthy is now the sole source of entertainment in the house for the other fighters. His moniker of Captain Miserable is stuck to him permanently and there is nothing he can do about it. I will say that I agree that he always looks unhappy despite his objections to the contrary. They draw a cartoon rendition of him and position it so he will see it on the refrigerator and when he finally sees it, he is visibly annoyed, which is the desired result I think. Charles doesn't do much to defend himself so it is no surprise that they continue. Patrick Cote provides a little humor this week with a pretty funny impression of Charles walking with around his head down and eventually falling to the ground before finally dying. Funny stuff.

This week's fight was Pete Spratt vs. Matt Serra. I felt that this might have the potential to be the best fight of the show if Spratt was able to defend Matt's takedowns. Mikey Burnett and Pete really work hard in their training sessions practicing this and that made me believe that he might do well against the talented jiu jitsu black belt.

The fight started and it was fast and furious from the get go. Matt throws a high kick that he would later have a good laugh about and Pete is surprised by it, but catches it as it's on the way down. Matt wriggles his leg free from Pete's grip, but not before he eats some punches. Serra attempts several takedowns and really presses the pace very aggressively. Spratt lands some good right hands and a high kick of his own, but Matt takes him down and I knew it was only a matter of time until this was over. Serra ate a good knee on the way to that takedown and a small cut was opened underneath his eye, but it was nothing major.

Serra works from position to position and Pete has some decent defense, but is no way close to standing back up. I was sure he was just going to try and survive to the second round because that was the only way he had a chance to get back on his feet. Matt got in to side control and tried for the mount several times before finally getting it. Spratt tried to buck and roll, sweep, and I think I saw him saying a silent prayer to get out of the bad situation. He finally gives Matt his back and it is over. Matt rains down bombs just like Hughes did to Gracie and Big John has to step in when Pete taps out due to strikes.

Winner: Matt Serra by submission due to strikes

It was an okay episode from what I saw, but the fight once again lacked any real charisma. It was a bad match-up for Pete and he was bitten by the jiu jitsu bug before being pounded on until he was forced to tap. Next week we do have a bright spot to look forward to, thankfully. Patrick Cote and Jorge Rivera will step in to the Octagon and you know the leather is going to fly hard, fast, and often. This coming week may be the week that raises the ratings back where they need to be and may breathe a little more life in to the show.

Source: MaxFighting.com