This weeks episode starts out with Team Faber celebrating the big win by Chris Saunders over Sam Sicilia. Mike Chiesa went into the opposing locker room to sit with his long time friend Sam after his loss. Cruz thought Sam did everything he could, and the fight could have went to a third round. Both Ogle and Rio express their excitement for their fight this week.
If you’ve never watched the show before every season has a coaches challenge. This years was one of the craziest challenges the show has ever done. Urijah Faber and Dominick Cruz would have to compete in an obstacle course, with the winner receiving twenty thousand dollars, and each winning teams fighters receiving fifteen hundred dollars. This was no ordinary obstacle course. Each coach needed to do a rope climb to start things off, then run to the next station and shoot an M9 pistol hitting five targets. Next they had to flip a tractor tire to the M4 rifle station hitting a 12 inch target from fifty feet, and another target at seventy feet. From there they had to carry a training dummy to the next station and use an M249 to hit two jars at fifty yards. Once completed both Faber and Cruz would have to carry ten thirty five pound ammo cases to the final station. At the last station both coaches would have to fire a M32 grenade launcher to hit two targets.(If you didn’t get a chance to see this go watch it because it was awesome).
Cruz took an early lead and briefly spoke about about tough of a challenge this was since you’re doing thing’s you’ve never done before. Urijah played a lot of catch up throughout the challenge. There were Marines at each station helping the guys fire the weapons. Cruz had a tough time hitting the jugs with the M249 allowing Faber to catch up. Cruz catches back up on the final grenade launcher station, but Faber is able to secure a victory. Naturally, Cruz was pissed about loosing to Faber. Cruz went on to comment saying “I might have lost the battle in the coaches challenge, but I’m not going to loose the war July 7th.”
During practices we learn a little bit about both fighters. Andy Ogle who is fighting all the way from England discussed how in his community guys grew up at a young age fighting. For him the biggest thrill in the world is getting in the cage. Ogle needed to bury Rio’s attacks. Faber discussed that wrestling is probably the weakest aspect of Ogles game. “I have a large heart and he’s going to have to kill me to beat me” Ogle said.
Rio is from Miami Florida and was a three time state wrestling champ, and a three time college national champ. Rio said he was always a good kid who never drank or did drugs in Miami. His life revolved around a lot of training. Rio is a grappling style fighter who usually out wrestles his opponents.
At the weigh ins both fighters talked about their opponents. Ogle spoke about how he wanted this to be his life and everything for him. “I’m going to try and take his face home, I’m going to rearrange his face. It’s going to be a good night.” Rio had some comments of his own saying “Once I’m in that cage I’m a different guy. Ogle and I get along famously, but right now he’s in my way.”
During the episode Dana White had a meeting with Faber and Cruz to discuss match ups for the quarter finals. Cruz briefly talked about how much it “sucks” being in the same room with Faber because he always has something smart ass to say. He also touched on how annoyed he was that Faber sat right next to him on a big couch. Dana asked both guys to take out the coaching and talk about who their best two fighters are. Faber said Al and Proctor, and Cruz said Vince and Justin. The three talked about different match ups, leaving Dana White to make a decision following Friday’s fight.
All of that lead up to this weeks fight. In round one Andy Ogle showed some good movement and executed a great jab in the early parts of the round. Ogle continued to constantly move around following his jabs, trying not to give Rio any opportunities for a take down. Rio takes Ogle down about half way through the round. Ogle is able to fight his way back up but gets a warning for grabbing the cage. Rio never connects with any big shots in the first round. Ogle connects with several overhand rights near the end of the round. In the final seconds Rio is able to take Ogle down before the bell.
Rio comes out a bit more aggressive in the second round. Ogle dances around and fires right back. Rio is able to take Ogle down throwing some big punches from a half mount. Rio temporarily takes Ogles back, but Ogle is able to fight his way out of the position and into Rio’s guard. Now with Ogle throwing punches from the top he’s able to get side control. With a nice transition Ogle now takes Rio’s back. After throwing more punches he’s able to secure a rear naked choke forcing a very gassed Mike Rio to tap.
With Andy Ogle advancing to the quarter finals Dana White announces the first two match ups for next week. It will be James Vick against Joe Proctor, and Justin Lawrence against Mike Chiesa. Again as for Al that mean’s in two weeks he could fight Vinc Pichel, Andy Ogle, or Chris Saunders. Much more to come this week be sure to check back in.
-Matt Pellicane
Iaquinta Nation 