TUF 15 Episode 2 Recap: Picking sides
Posted on March 17, 2012, 03:32 AM by Evan Holober
As we enter the second episode there a lot of things seem similar to prior seasons. The narrator is picking out guys who have looked impressive so far like Justin Lawrence, and Micheal Chiesa. All the combatants are let loose in the house to make a mad dash for places to sleep. Then, of course, there is a few who start boozin' it up. It never fails, if you stick a bunch of guys with ages ranging from 16-40 in a house that's secluded; alcohol will find its way into the equation.
Dominick Cruz and Urijah Faber then bring all the athletes together to make team picks. Dana White conducts the coin flip to decide who gets the first choice, and it goes to Urijah. He decides to use it for the first fight pick, and Cruz makes the aforementioned Lawrence this season's top pick. Faber names James Vick from team Cruz to take on Darren Cruickshank in the initial match up. (The list for each side is at the bottom of the page.)
After the team picks and fight announcements a bomb is dropped injected into the script for Michael Chiesa. His father who was ill for the last year passed away a couple days after he saw his son make it into the house. Michael's demeanor immediately changes, and he becomes visibly distraught. After he heads back to the house he confides in his long time friend Sam Sicilia about the situation he's facing, and Sam seems to be able to calm his grieving pal down a little bit. Dana then makes an appearance to let Chiesa know he can go home for his father's services, but at the same time Michael reassures Dana that he will be back as this is what his Father wanted. When Michael returns a day later his path is clear; win this show for Dad.
Before the fight starts were given a little glimpse into the personalized training for Vick and Cruickshank. Urijah instills Darren with the info that he is the more experienced fighter, and to remember to let his athleticism take over. Cruz and Lloyd Irvin give Vick pointers on keeping angles plus making sure his work rate stays high. Lloyd then shows him a multitude of chokes if the bout hits the floor. Both are well prepared heading into the cage.
Fight time:
They come out for the first round not doing much. Both seem to be willing to let the other make the first mistake, as both seem overly cautious. Cruickshank then starts to land a little bit as his work rate rises, and he seems to grow in confidence. More kicks land for Darren, but James just seems to be waiting to counter. Vick gets his wish when Cruickshank shoots an ill-timed takedown directly into a waiting high kick modified into a knee. Darren goes unconscious immediately (but is up and well when the official decision is read).
James Vick defeats Darren Cruickshank by KO (knee) in Round 1 (2:16)
Dominick then throws a bit of a wrinkle in to the festivities when he announces of first pick Justin Lawrence will fight against any guy on Urijah's team. Faber then looks to his team for somebody to step up, unfortunately nobody does. Cruz makes the decision for him in the end; Justin Lawrence will take on Cristiano Marcello in the second fight for Season 15.
Cruz wins the first round of head games with Urijah.
Team Cruz
1. Justin Lawrence
2. Sam Sicilia
3. Myles Jury
4. Mike Rio
5. James Vick
6. Vinc Pichel
7. Chris Tickle
8. Jeremy Larsen
Team Faber
1. Al Iaquinta
2. Cristiano Marcello
3. Daron Cruickshank
4. Joe Proctor
5. Mike Chiesa
6. John Cofer
7. Andy Ogle
8. Chris Saunders
Comments
I really enjoyed this episode.
I really feel for Mike Chiesa.
It was probably a lucky shot. But I don't care, happy to see Vick beat Cruickshank.
Dominick Cruz is the man!! Everybody was scared to fight Lawrence.
#TeamCruz baby.
Cruz owned Faber with the pick strategy. Faber and especially his teamed looked scared and confused.
I wasnt happy about the fight actually because Cruickshank is much more skilled and entertaining than Vick. The best fighter lost. Vick should play the lotery ,he is a lucky bastard. It would have been great a fight between Lawrence and cruickshank. (2 crazy kickers)
yeah cruz wanted to get into fabers head and his team. And it worked cuz no one was confident enough to step up, which makes Faber look bad
Yeah, that was some serious lao tzu-style mind games. Faber had not time react and was caught totally flat footed. Team Alpha male indeed!
Damn, what a knockout. It was a great episode ! Even though I almost cried when i saw Chiesa hear the sad news, he looked devastated. Life is a b...big story.
Anyway i can't wait to see the next episode, they really seem to have some great talents this season.
Didn't like how they exploited a family death for ratings.
Nice KO though. Im cheering for Cruz this season.
Thumbs up to Mike Chiesa, continuing on and wanting to seize this once in a lifetime opportunity even after suffering a massive emotional tragedy.
All the asses who have pussied out of the comp before should learn from this, Mike is a real man.
Even though they had a confrontation I honestly think Dom and Urijah are friends.
They disliked each other after their first fight but they even admitted just before their second fight they had to do a PR thing with the army and got to know and like each other, the "hate" between them was just hype for their second fight.
I reckon it's just BS hype for this show too, I'd prefer if they just admitted they were buddies, like Chuck and Randy from Season 1.
I have a feeling everyone was expecting Faber to be a much better coach but they honestly seem just as good as each other, as someone said Cruz is champ for a reason.
Cruz will hopefully get some more fans, I feel he gets some unwarranted hate and he is coming out on the show as a cool guy and good coach.
What a KO, devastating.
Cruz's pre fight speech
"these other guys they think its all fun and games… so just go out there and have fun"
I like the episode and the fight was interesting. The knee of Vick was very well placed and seemed somewhat intentional but he seemed to tentative to engage. Cruickshank seemed to be winning the initial "fight" but got caught completely and thats why MMA is unique since its completely unpredictable in that way!
As for the coaches, Im a Cruz fan, really like his unique fighting style and I think hes doing a good job as a coach so far (from what we saw ofc). His idea/attitude of putting his best man fighting first and giving Faber the opportunity to choose his opponent was brilliant in every way (entertainment, originality, strategically and mentally). Neither Faber or his team knew what to do and we could tell the fighters saw Lawrence fight and how that guy seems to be a skilled killer, no one seemed to want to fight him, at least right now!
Cant wait for next episode tbh!
I think Cruz and Faber are doing a great job so far. I think Urijah made the right decision in his match up and in picking matches first. It just didn't go down as it most likely would have. Cruz took adavantage of the situation strait away by being aggressive with his confidence and throwing out his best guy to the so called wolves on Urijahs team. I think Urijah was unsettled that nobody on his team stepped up as I am sure if he was amoung them he would have. It will make Urijah uneasy knowing his team are hoping to leave Lawrence to the finals. Good job Cruz on turning around a seemingly bad start. In a rematch by the way i think I would still pick Urijahs guy to beat Dominicks guy. But in the end I feel Lawrence takes the season if there are no lucky breaks like in this episode.