By Matthew Kimura

Last week we had a bunch of firsts. Corey Hill won his first ever MMA fight by decision over Rob Emerson�that fight was also the first one in TUF history to go to a sudden victory round. We also saw Team Penn get their first victory of the season when Joe Lauzon took Brian Gereghty to the woodshed. With only four fighters left, this week marked the end of the preliminary round.

The final four fighters are Gray Maynard and Matt Wiman, who represent Team Penn, and Wayne Weems and Marlan Sims, who represent Team Pulver. It'll be interesting to see both Wayne and Marlan fight, since Weems looks to be the weakest fighter on the show, and Marlan has run his mouth the entire season about his so-called amazing street fights.

We started the show with Team Penn at the training facility. Dana White, President of the UFC, pulled Coach BJ Penn into his office to have a little one on one. Dana was concerned that BJ hadn't taken charge of his team enough. They weren't doing enough cardio, and weren't pushing themselves to their potential. BJ made a few excuses, but Dana wouldn't have any of it. He told BJ to smack the guys around a little bit and get their butts in gear.

BJ went out to the gym, and a few of the guys saw right away how upset he looked. He called everyone in for a small talk, and talked about his disappointment with how nobody has really taken anything seriously so far. They haven't respected his coaching, and haven't listened to him or his coaching staff the entire time. With that, he pointed out Andy Wang and told him to pack up and leave.

Wang was pretty surprised, but noted that there had been some friction between him and the coaches after his fight, since he didn't listen to anyone in his corner. As the team ran on treadmills, Wang argued with BJ. BJ told him that he was just wasting everyone's time by arguing. With that, the other coaches walked Andy out of the gym.

Dana White was called back to the gym to check out the situation. He wasn't initially notified of what was going on at first, and said that whenever he was called in for anything, it usually wasn't good news. When he found out what happened, he was pretty surprised. He figured that BJ would've gone and pushed the guys to train harder, but not kick someone off. His biggest concern with the whole ordeal, though, was that Wang was up next to take someone's place if another fighter got hurt.

He talked to BJ, and BJ said that he didn't want Andy on his team anymore because since day one he hadn't listened to anyone but himself, and also felt that he was a big burden on the team.

When Team Penn finished their training for the day, no decision had been made yet until Team Pulver got to the gym. Dana called in Coach Jens Pulver and asked him if he wanted Andy. Jens said he'd take Andy, but had to consult his team first. At first everyone was a little apprehensive, but when they found out that it was Andy they all said that they'd take him. They all liked him, and figured he'd be a good training partner. Jens went back to the office and told Dana and Andy that his team would take a 9th member, and then Andy went on a crazy spree.

At first he was gracious, but then tried to explain why he raised his hand at the beginning of the season to volunteer himself for Team Penn. Then he showed how upset he was that he wasn't able to keep his commitment to BJ, and the rest of Team Penn. Jens told him not to worry about it, but Dana was pretty mad. He wanted to know why Andy wasn't jumping out of his chair and hugging Jens and thanking him for letting him onto the team. He was also keeping everyone from training, as the rest of Team Pulver was out in the gym waiting for their coach. Andy kept interrupting Dana, to explain himself, which made it worse, but in the end Andy finally shut up and just took the gold jersey. When he went out with Jens to the gym, his new team welcomed him with open arms.

Fight Announcement

Since Corey won the second fight last time, Team Pulver had the choice of the next two fights. The first guy picked was Wayne Weems, who walked over to Gray Maynard. This made the second fight a no-brainer: Marlan Sims and Matt Wiman.

Team Pulver was back at the training facility, and Jens talked up Wayne a good deal. The guy came into the show with a huge lack of cardio and muscle, but has really stepped up in the past few weeks. He may not have the best skill, but he has the biggest heart out of everyone else in the house. Jens said Wayne had a good chance of winning the fight, but he stuck out of the crowd due to his skill level not being up with everyone else.

Wanye commented that he'd only been seriously training for a few months, which could explain why his level isn't up to par.

Team Penn made their way to the gym next. BJ said that Gray was a good fighter, and saw no reason why he couldn't just walk through Wayne. The only problem that concerned BJ was that he was afraid Gray would underestimate Wayne. He knew Gray was too good for that, though. Gray saw himself mowing down Wayne in a quick fashion.

Wayne didn't make a prediction for the fight, but said that he knew he was tough and could definitely take a punch.

Gray said that he'd punch through Wayne, and if that didn't work he'd submit him.

The Fight: Gray Maynard (Team Pennr�5'9", 69" reach, 3-0) v. Wayne Weems (Team Pulver�5'8", 67.5" reach, 11-2)

I was very surprised at Wayne's intensity right before the fight, although I think it might've been a little too much. He could gas himself out before he even throws a punch.

ROUND ONE

Gray landed a nice overhand right on Wayne and then got the takedown. He got side control with a yoko-shiho-gatame, but then lost a leg in Wayne's guard. Gray went for a choke, but had no position whatsoever and lost it. He then got his leg free and started throwing punches. Wayne rolled on his stomach and covered up. Gray rained down blows for a good minute and a half, or so, and didn't let up until Herb Dean stopped the fight. The whole thing reminded me of a Mark Kerr fight, back in Kerr's heyday I mean...just blow after blow on the ground.

Your Winner: Gray Maynard via TKO due to strikes. Chalk up a second win for Team Penn, making the standings at 5-2.

I was really surprised that Herb Dean didn't stop the fight earlier. Wayne wasn't defending himself very well as he was only covering up, and Gray did not let up whatsoever. Not the most brutal beating, but a dominating one regardless.

Everyone was impressed with how Wayne didn't give up. Wayne said he never would've given up, and I believe him. He left the octagon pretty angry. Some of the guys noted that he looked like he was ready to fight again, but that won't be the case for him. He's outski.

After getting cleaned up a little, Wayne sported a nice looking mouse under his left eye. He was optimistic about everything. Even though he lost, he knew it was good experience, and was ready to go back to the drawing board.

Gray was happy about his win, but thought the TKO took way too long to be called.

The focus then went to Marlan Sims and Matt Wiman. Marlan had bragged all season about the ridiculous amount of streetfights that he'd been in (and won all of them of course), and this episode was no different. He talked about fights he'd had while driving, against gangs of five or six, and with all sorts of other people. Matt was ready to shut him up because he was sick of hearing it along with a few others in the house.

Sims talked up and down about his punching power, and how he was the best striker in the house. He said he wanted to show the world that muay thai was for real, and that the striker isn't a dying breed anymore in the world of mixed martial arts. He predicted a quick knockout (what...you're surprised?).

Matt's only 23 years old and comes straight outta Comp�er I mean Tulsa. His nickname used to be "Handsome", but for the show he changed it to "Mildly Attractive" so he wouldn't look so cocky. Regarding the fight, though, he just wanted to pound Marlan's face in.

BJ thought the fight was Matt's for the taking, since he had the size advantage and the better ground game.

Dana was excited about the fight, and thought it'd be a pretty exciting one to watch.

The Fight: Matt Wiman (Team Penn�5'10", 69" reach, 6-3) v. Marlan Sims (Team Pulver�5'11", 73" reach, 3-1)

Walking out to the octagon, both guys looked ready for murder. Marlan had a nasty look on his face (compare it to Cro Cop, and it makes Cro Cop look like a schoolgirl), and Matt kept hitting himself in the head to get himself focused.

ROUND ONE

Both guys threw a punch right away, but Matt hit first, dropping Marlan. Matt attacked Marlan on the ground and Marlan gave up his back. Matt went for a rear naked choke, and when he couldn't get it at first he punched Marlan until he popped his head up enough (in judo we dig our knuckles into the guy's jawline...but to he his own). Matt got the choke in tight, making Marlan go to sleep. Referee had no choice but to stop the fight (thanks for the correction, Seko!). All of this in a matter of 52 seconds.

Your Winner: Matt Wiman via chokeout by rear naked choke. After Matt landed the punch, he never let up. He attacked just as aggressively as Joe Lauzon did. This makes the score 5-3, in favor of Team Pulver. Still, those last two wins were a relief for BJ.

After the fight, Matt was proud of his win, and joked: "Beating a guy with 300 streetfights, that's a good notch under your belt. I should start hustling people or something now."

Marlan was a little bitter, saying that he lost because of a lucky punch, but he didn't want to take anything away from Matt. Marlan lost fair and square, and he knew it.

Next week we'll get to see the first fight of the quarter-finals. Now that we've seen all of the fighters, I think it'd be a safe bet that there won't be anymore cakewalk fights. In the preview for next week, it looks like BJ and Jens have a little dispute over how the quarter-final fights are going to be mapped out, and there's also a brawl. Should make for some good entertainment.


Now...let's go over who's left:

Cole Miller (Team Pulver), Manny Gamburyan (Team Pulver), Nate Diaz (Team Pulver), Brandon Melendez (Team Pulver), Joe Lauzon (Team Penn), Corey Hill (Team Pulver), Matt Wiman (Team Penn) and Gray Maynard (Team Penn).

You've seen them fight, so now my question is what would your dream match be for the final match for the six figure contract? Is it a little soon to make that sort of prediction? Sure, but you know you already have an idea of who you want probably. If not...figure it out already!

Leave it as a comment, or email me at [email protected] and let me know!

I'll leave mine right here: Manny Gamburyan v. Nate Diaz

Until next week...rock on kids