By Matthew Kimura

Last week on The Ultimate Fighter we saw Joe Lauzon TKO Cole Miller. There was some controversy due to big Joe landing an elbow on the back of Cole's head, which dazed Cole a good deal. Instead of calling it quits, Cole gutted it out, but got pounded into the dirt for his efforts. This week we're going to see Brandon Melendez, who outslugged Andy Wang, go up against Gray Maynard, who decimated Wayne Weems. Who's next to advance? Let's find out...

We start off with Team Pulver at the training center. Coach Jens Pulver was pushing his team pretty hard. When it looked like their practice was about to end, he'd add on one more drill for the guys to do. Brandon Melendez started to get annoyed with it all, and when Jens finally had the guys stop, and stretch, he stormed over to the exercise bikes to ride the Airdyne. Brandon didn't want to train anymore for the day because he'd hurt his hand in his fight with Andy Wang, and didn't want to aggravate it anymore. Jens told him that stretching wouldn't hurt his hand any. The other coaches told him that he wasn't the first guy to train while hurt. Jens made an example out of himself, as he'd broken his hand 14 times, so he knew all about training hurt. Brandon also said that his trying to cut down to 150 had drained him as well, so he was constantly running on empty. He didn't listen to anybody, though, and jumped on the Airdyne to ride for a bit. He and Jens barked at each other for a bit, and Jens finally said "If you don't like what I'm doing, or how I'm coaching, there's always another team." After a few more minutes of jawing, Brandon talked to the camera and said that it may be more ideal for him to switch teams and work with BJ. On the new team, there wouldn't be a beef between him and anyone else.

Team Penn trained next and it looked like Gray Maynard was having a better time than Brandon was. He and BJ have a history, as Gray helped BJ train, in Hawaii, when BJ was prepping up to fight one of the Gracies. Gray and BJ got into the octagon to spar for a bit even though BJ didn't have a mouthpiece. They went back and forth pretty hard, and it looked like Gray had a little cut in between his eyebrows. At the pace they were going, Gray knew BJ could turn it up a lot more if he wanted to, but he didn't. They just kept it a nice and fun, but tough, pace.

Team Pulver was back in gym, and Brandon pulled the coaches aside to talk to them about him going to train with BJ. Jens immediately said no. For one, he's on a team, but he's also an active member. I'd agree with that. You're training one way and you're still in the game, why are you going to try and switch your gameplan? Anyway, both guys got some stuff off their chests and made up. Brandon decided to stay, and Jens was ecstatic about it.

It was then Team Penn's turn back in the gym, and BJ brought in a special guest: UFC Heavyweight Champion Randy Couture. Randy said that BJ had asked him to come and spend some time with his guys, and Randy was happy to do it. He loves coaching and working with the younger guys. He also knew Gray, since they both train in Las Vegas, so it was just another reason for him to stop by.

Randy also said that he knew Jens and BJ pretty well. He was part of the commentary team when Jens and BJ fought the first time. Jens won it via decision, although he was the underdog champion going into it. BJ seemed pretty bitter about the loss, too. He said that Jens was very nice to his face, but behind his back Jens kept saying how he could KO BJ at anytime. Jens may have been the first to beat BJ, but BJ wanted to be the last to beat Jens, and retire him. Jens said that it was his octagon, and he'd gladly beat BJ again whenever and wherever. I'm looking forward to seeing them slug it out again in the season finale on June 23rd. Should be interesting.

At the house, Cole Miller talked about how Nate Diaz was messing with him while he was sleeping. To retaliate, he ordered a bunch of pi�atas and silly string and trashed Nate's bed. Nate retaliated by tackling Cole, then they wrestled around a bit. It wasn't anything like last week's backyard brawl, though. They were just having fun with each other, but it didn't stop there. Cole sprayed Nate with more silly string, so Nate tackled Cole again and started pulling him around the house by his underwear. At the end of it, they threw each other's beds into the pool, then called it a truce. Then Nate and a few others waited until Cole was asleep, and then antiqued him (dumped water, then baby powder on him). THEN they officially called it a truce.

The next day, Brandon was up and he looked a little worried about getting down to his fighting weight. At the time he weighed 160-165, so he had some pounds to cut. He asked Andy to help him out. Andy was more than happy to help because he knew how much it sucked to have to cut weight alone. He recalled when Gabe was supposed to help him cut weight, but flaked out on him. Andy worked Brandon hard, too, but Brandon never complained about it. When it came time for weigh-ins, Brandon weighed in at a solid 156. Gray weighed in at 155. Game on, kids!

UFC President Dana White said he was looking forward to the fight. He predicted if Brandon could keep it on his feet, he'd be in a better position to win. If Gray takes it to the ground, then it's his fight.

Gray said he was looking for Brandon to throw and throw and throw, which is funny since that's what Brandon said he wanted to do. He also said that he fought well against wrestlers, and if anything his jiu jitsu could help him if Gray took the fight to the ground.

The Fight: Gray Maynard (Team Penn�5'9", 69" reach, 3-0) v. Brandon Melendez (Team Pulver�5'10", 72" reach, 11-5)
ROUND 1

ROUND 1Gray charged right at Brandon at the start of the round and took him down. He must've taken Brandon by surprise because Gray already had Brandon's back and was going for a rear naked choke. Brandon fended it off and eventually spun around and scrambled back up to his feet with Brandon on his back, but was dragged back down again and Gray went for another choke. Brandon spun back around and was in Gray's guard, throwing punches, but then Gray was able to escape and get back on top of Brandon. Gray went for side control, but was stuck in Brandon's half guard and couldn't get much. Brandon tried for a Kimura, and looked like he had it, but couldn't keep it and Gray managed to escape. They stood back up and Brandon missed with a knee and head kick. Gray got another take down, and was back in Brandon's half guard. Gray tried for the mount, and somehow got Brandon's back again and went for another rear naked choke. Brandon got out of it and tried to get up again, but Gray grabbed his leg and took him back down. They were both in a sitting position up against the cage with Gray behind Brandon, trying for another choke. Brandon scrambled to his feet, but then Gray took him down once again. The bell then sounded, ending the first round.

My Scorecard: Good back and forth action. I'd give the round to Gray, though. More takedowns and submission attempts. He also looked a lot more aggressive.

ROUND 2

Both guys started by trading punches. They looked tired in their corners, and it showed somewhat in the opening moments of the round. Gray landed a nice body shot, and Brandon hit a superman punch before getting taken down again. Brandon got back up on his feet and actually took Gray down and started pounding on him. Gray managed to turn it back around, though, and was back on top of Brandon in his half guard. Brandon had a nice cut on his left eyebrow. Gray went for a kimura, but Brandon escaped. They traded some punches on the ground as Gray was in half guard again. He pushed Brandon to the fence and started to punch him. Brandon got out of it and stood back up, but was taken down again. Brandon tried for a guillotine, but Gray got out of it. He threw some elbows and punches before Brandon clamped on a triangle choke. I thought he had him, but Gray escaped and applied a guillotine choke. Brandon tapped out shortly afterward.

Your winner: Gray Maynard via submission by guillotine choke. He now advances to the next round.

Nice fight! Everything Gray threw at Brandon, Brandon had an answer for. I think Gray would've won it by decision if the round would've finished out, but that isn't taking anything away from Brandon, though. He's as tough as you can get. Look forward to seeing him in the future in the octagon at least once or twice.

So...the guys that have advanced so far: Joe Lauzon (Team Penn) and Gray Maynard (Team Penn).

Next week we'll get two fights! Corey Hill v. Nate Diaz, and also Manny Gamburyan v. Matt Wiman.

Karo Parysian will also make a special appearance.

Until next week...keep your fists up.

Catch The Ultimate Fighter every Thursday at 10pm EST on Spike TV!

ALSO don't forget about the season finale on June 23rd on Spike.

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