The Ultimate Fighter 13 Recap and Finale Preview
Posted on June 2, 2011, 04:17 AM by Ryan VenturaMy final two cents:
This was probably the fastest two months of my life. It seems like yesterday when I turned on my television to watch the season premier of TUF 13 back in March. I know I've been a very strong critic during my time providing recap and analysis of the thirteenth season, but I feel like this season ended on a very positive note despite my personal feelings towards this series. I still believe that this show needs a lot of improvement and changes, but it's merely subjective. Some people agree with my opinions, some people don't. I could be wrong, you could be right. Have we witnessed before our very eyes the birth of a new major star in the world of Mixed Martial Arts? Who knows, but I will say this. If you are looking for entertaining television, TUF 14 could be the most fun season yet. Jason "Mayhem" Miller and Michael Bisping being featured as head coaches is a receipe for reality television at it's finest.
For you hardcore Lowkickers and readers out there thank you for following my diaries regardless of how you felt about my opinions. I'm glad to have helped create discussion and debate amongest our fellow MMA fans. If I helped you get a different persepective and opened your mind to what you were viewing on your TV screen, that means I've done my job. With TUF 13 behind us and looking forward to TUF 14, let's look at the two men who will be facing each other for a UFC contract.
Ramsey Nijem vs. Tony Ferguson:
The road to the finale in the thirteen season of The Ultimate Fighter was a long one filled with both comedy and drama. Ramsey Nijem from Team dos Santos earned himself the nickname "Stripper Ramsey". The fun loving Ramsey was the show's clown, a guy who wasn't afraid to show off his "package" to everyone who stayed at The Ultimate Fighter house. Although he was fun and games through out the series, when it came to training, he earned the respect of his peers and coaches. Head coach Junior dos Santos looked at Ramsey as his team's ace. During Ramsey's time on the show he made a reputation as a wrestling specialist with some dangerous submission skills. Ramsey Nijem was able to submit Charlie Rader in his first fight in the 2nd round, made very easy work with a 1st round submission against Clay Harvision, and showed his guts in the semi-final fight against Chris Cope scoring the TKO victory in the 2nd round.
Tony Ferguson during the beginning of the series had a reputation for being Team Lesnar's quiet guy. He didn't speak much, mainly did his talking during training and competition, and always wore suits before a fight. Just like Ramsey was for Team dos Stantos, head coach Brock Lesnar looked at Tony as the top fighter in his team. Ferguson's striking was arguably the best in this season's cast. He KO'ed Justin Edwards in the first round and TKO'ed Ryan McGillivray in his second fight. As we went further into the show, alcohol was introduced into the mix, and viewers got a glispe of what Tony is like after a night of too much drinking. He became the show's outcast and bad guy, the one that you love to hate. Tony faced teammate and rival Chuck O'Neil in the semi-final bout. Ferguson dominated him for three rounds and eventually TKO'ed Chuck in the third round.
This year's TUF final is a classic match-up between grappler and striker. Ramsey Nijem has the edge in the grappling department and has shown a very dangerous ground game. Tony Ferguson during his time on the show has shown crisp MMA striking. Ramsey has yet to be tested by a striker and Tony has yet to be tested by a grappler. Both men show superior skills but who will be the one to have their hand raised in victory? If Ramsey Nijem can put Tony Ferguson on his back or grind him up against the Octagon fence, this could be a long Saturday night for Tony. If Tony can use his leg kicks and accurate striking in a similiar fashion to that against Chuck O'Neil, "Stripper Ramsey" ain't going to look so pretty anymore.
This should be an exciting bout on a card that also features:
Kyle Kingsbury vs. Fabio Maldonado
Ed Herman vs. Tim Credeur
Chris Cope vs. Chuck O'Neil
Be sure to check out the fights this Saturday! Check your local listings and keep it on lock with Lowkick.com for the latest news and developments!
Comments
I enjoyed watching Toney smack & kick Chuck lanky bleeding body all around the octagon. All that talk about giving money 2 Charlie for his kid & then vowing to be Tony's Dream Crusher was to damn weird.
Nicely written recap man, very accurate and precise, props for that! I too think the season ended well and it was a good season in terms of how both coaches and fighters behaved towards one another (apart from the drunk Tony episode ofc), always showing professionalism and respect!
I think both finalists are good prospects. Tony showed very accurate striking and seems to do well under pression, always staying compose and moving well in the octagon. Ramsey is very young and already displays a very solid wrestling and BJJ base. On his last fight, he showed he can also mix things up and strike. I expect a good final!
I would also like to point out the coaches on the show. Lesnar got to show a bit of himself and at start, he seemed a arrogant dude that didnt cared much about the fighters there but as the series evolved, he turned out to be a good coach with sensible words towards his fighters and even the other team. He teach his team well in what he knows best and seemed a good guy all around, very calm and professional. I hope he recovers well and we get a chance to see him compete again! As for JDS - he really seems a cool and friendly guy! Always with a smile on his face, always trying to make everyone feel better! He behaved admirably (IMO) showcasing and teaching what he could and always behaving very professionally when he won and when he lost!
I liked this series, there wasnt any animosity and it was focused all on the fighters. On TUF 14 thou, with the personality that both coaches have, we will have a dynamic series full of... god knows what Mayhem can do! Cant wait to see it as well!
Dude I think tony´s apology was sincere he probably woke up feeling like an ass.
about the fight Chris Cope TD is great, he won the first round in my eyes but then he got caught, Ramsey will need all his wrestling to win the fight because I did not see anything that could get in trouble Tony standing.
on the Tony vs Chuck fight, the first round was very competitive very technical and I think Chuck landed more punches than Tony but Tony landed harder punches, after the second it was a matter of how composed Tony stayed and how technical, he basically destroy Chuck one punch at the time, did not go crazy on him and stayed technical, for a minute I thought he did not have his finish instict with him but then in the 3rd he showed what he was looking for in the fight, if he can keep the fight standing in the finals it would be a walk in the park for him.
The only fighter that really stuck out to me this season is chris cope. The guy has some great TDD and a solid gas tank, if only he would let his ****ing hands go he could have won the show.
Yea the last 30 seconds of the first round, what was the point of siting there bouncing just to throw 2 leg kicks?? I mean they hurt him, Ramsey called for ice but still, throw baby throw.
I personally thought Ramsey's striking last night was awful, but it did the trick. I don't think he's going to be able to bang it out with Tony, but I don't doubt for a second that he maybe able to grind out a victory against him.
another irrelavent season of TUF... the only two guys on the whole show who should even be aloud to ever fight in the ufc are the two finalists. all the other guys are bums that would just get derstroyed in the ww division. tony's a decent striker but still not ufc level and has little tdd. ramsy was my pick to win and i think hes the only one who could maybe go somewhere in the ufc.
it seems like theres a limit to how good a fighter can be to be on TUF, which makes it pointless. for example paul daley came into the ufc right after the U.K vs U.S season. could you imagine if he was on the show? he would win easily. my point is the show is purly to get extra attention to the sport, and not about adding new talent to the divisions. its starting to get old now.
Tony's striking looks very sharp!
he looked like a pro Boxer later train in MMA because he also had some nice kicks.
I miss most of Tuf to be Honest but that last episode was really good.
Tony in my eyes will be the next Ultimate Fighter
It depends on his takedown defense... He did get taken down in his first fight. Chuck O'neil and Ryan didn't attempt to take him down.
If Ramsey is able to take him down, he will not be the next Ultimate fighter. However, Ramsey's striking looked sloppy against Chris Cope. He showed he has some power, but poor technique. If it stays standing, Tony will have no trouble picking Ramsey apart.
This was probably the best matchup for the UFC contract imo. I'm definitely looking forward to this fight along with the rest of this card!
Tony's striking looked light years better then Ramsey. Sure Ramsey won by TKO but his footwork looked sloppy, he barely puts weight behind those punches, those overhand rights looked like they would break his wrists if they landed. He's a good grappler but he does not take this to the ground he isn't going to last the 3 rounds against Tony.