by Todd Betzold

It is Monday night, so you know what that means: The Voice Season 3 Battle Rounds! The teams are back and we get to see more of the acts that the coaches pitted against each other and see who takes out who in hopes of making it to the Knockout Rounds. Who is your early favorite on The Voice?

Team Blake: Julio Cesar Castillo vs. Terisa Griffin - "Conga" by Gloria Estefan
Blake said he put them together because of the song, even though it is an odd pairing. They are both are struggling with the words of the song and keeping up with the tempo of the song. Terisa is more comfortable with ballads and this song is more in Julio's wheelhouse. Terisa meets with Blake and Michael Buble and feels that she paired her with Julio because he wants her gone, which he says is so wrong. The second rehearsal comes and Terisa is a lot stronger and I think her confidence can scare Julio enough to get him to screw up on that stage. Most of the time I don't like confidence, but it works well on Terisa. She was over the top and working that stage and I loved every second of it. Julio was good, but Terisa outshined him big time. Blake said they both did awesome and he doesn't know who won, but he picks Julio because he showed the most improvement from rehearsals and he worked the hardest. When asked, Cee Lo decides to steal Terisa and she joins Team Cee Lo! I love it.

Team Christina: Dez Duron vs. Paulina - "Just The Way You Are" by Bruno Mars
We haven't really seen much of Paulina, but Dez is a face we like to see on The Voice! He is back and in the Battle Rounds this season and wants to prove himself. Dez is worried about the higher notes and being out of his range and Paulina has this weird tone to her and it is interesting, but weird at times as well. They both look to be struggling before the battle, but how will that come out when they hit the stage? To me, this is a no-brainer. Dez does amazing and Paulina's voice just bothers me, so I am going Team Dez...I mean, look at those eyes! Christina said she is proud of them both and how they put their own twist on it, but she goes with Dez and Paulina is headed home.

Team Adam: Benji vs. Sam James - "You Give Love A Bad Name" by Bon Jovi
It is the ex-race car driver against the bartender. Sam is struggling hit the big notes and Mary J. Blige said if you can't hit the high note then hit it with emotion. Benji was part of a band, so he feels he has an advantage. Adam tells Benji not to do his scream the whole time, which he wants to do. You look at these two and you'd think Sam James has this one locked up. He has the rocker look to him and seems like a fitting song for him, but he does good and all, but I think Benji rocked at this song and does very well. Adam likes them both and he chooses Sam. I am shocked that no one steals Benji and he goes home.

Team Cee Lo: Nicholas David vs. Todd Kessler - "She's Gone" by Hall & Oates
It is a battle of the beards and a battle of the fathers-to-be. Todd is intimidated right away by Nicholas and is ready to go home because he thinks he is so good. They tell Todd he must connect with the song and find the emotion in the song. Nicholas is looking at this as a wonderful experience with Todd and not a battle with Todd, so he is not very competitive. They take the stage and Nicholas has a great voice, but his look is so weird and can he win this whole thing really? Todd has a cool name and a good voice, so I think the better choice in this battle. Blake tells Nicholas that he looks like Jesus and people like that. I love Blake! Cee Lo thought they both did an equally good job, but he goes with Nicholas and Todd goes home to his wife and soon-to-be baby.

Team Blake: Lelia Broussard vs. Suzanna Choffel - "Dog Days Are Over" by Florence and the Machine
Suzanna reminds me of Juliet Simms from last season, anyone else agree? Suzanna is a music teacher and worried about the technical things and not letting go and just getting sucked up in the performance. He wants them both to just have fun with the song and the performance. They both look very pretty as they hit the stage. This is the perfect song choice for them, so good job Blake. They are both really good, but I think that Lelia has this rawness about her that I enjoy and I would go with her. Blake has a tough choice and he goes with Suzanna and no steals for the coaches, which have been quiet with it tonight, and Lelia goes home.

Team Christina: Joselyn Rivera vs. Sylvia Yacoub - "Best Thing I Never Had" by Beyonce
This is a huge song and can these pop princesses take on Beyonce? Billie Joe Armstrong said he is worried about Sylvia overpowering the song. NBC always saves the best for last, so expect a battle tonight on this one! I think Sylvia is the favorite, but Joselyn may surprise a lot of people and the loser will be stolen away. Okay, this one was amazing. They both can sing and Sylvia looks so comfortable on stage and just has something about her and she is a performer. Joselyn is very good, so it does suck to be Christina right now. Christina said she has a special place in her heart for both of them, but she must choose and she goes with Sylvia. Adam and Blake hit their buttons to steal Joselyn and now it is up to her to decide who she wants to go with. They fight for her and Blake tells her that she loves her, but she goes with Team Adam.

The Voice airs Mondays and Tuesdays at 8/7c on NBC.

(Image courtesy of NBC)

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