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411’s Ultimate Fighter 22: Team McGregor vs. Team Faber Report 12.09.15 – Episode Twelve
WELCOME: Welcome back to 411 and our coverage of the Ultimate Fighter 22: Team McGregor vs. Team Faber. Last week, we saw the final two quarter final fights. In those fights, Marcin Wrzosek (10-2 MMA, 1-0 TUF) defeated David Teymur (3-1, 1-0 TUF) via majority decision and Julian Erosa (14-2 MMA, 1-0 TUF) defeated Abner Lloveras (19-7-1, 1-0 TUF) via split decision (in a three round fight). Today we have our semifinal fights, and final show of the season… THE SEMIFINAL FIGHTS TODAY ARE: Saul Rogers (10-1 MMA, 2-0 TUF) vs. Marcin Wrzosek (10-2 MMA, 2-0 TUF) and Artem Lobov (11-10-1-1, 2-0 TUF) vs. Julian Erosa (14-2 MMA, 2-0 TUF). The winners face off on Friday’s finale event.
* Conor told Saul and Marcin that they knew it would come down to the Europeans fighting each other, so get their work in and stay on weight for their fight.
* We see a team McGregor training session. Conor doesn’t feel this is weird at all, they aren’t teammates, they are here to win, this is a business. Saul doesn’t feel odd training with Marcin for three days; they have been here for weeks so nothing is really changing. Both guys want to establish their game plans and not allow the other man to get comfortable.
* We see the usual fight day preparation in the back. Dana thinks this will be a great fight.
Saul Rogers (10-1 MMA, 2-0 TUF) vs. Marcin Wrzosek (10-2 MMA, 2-0 TUF) – ROUND ONE: This is a battle of team McGregor fighters. The semis are scheduled for three rounds. Both come out looking to land early, and he gym is completely silent again as these are teammates. Rogers lands a good combo, Wrzosek is finding some counters but Rogers looks to be landing the higher quality strikes early. Rogers gets a takedown and pushes Wrzosek to the cage, he works for side control but Wrzosek switches and starts to get to his feet. Rogers with a knee to the body and is keeping Wrzosek on a knee. Wrzosek finally to his feet, but Rogers takes him right back down. This silence is so awkward, just like it was last week. Wrzosek makes his way back up and they separate. They trade some strikes, but Rogers is controlling the distance. Good right by Rogers over the top, counter by Wrzosek as we head to the final minute. Left hook by Rogers now, and another takedown for him as he works to north south position. Rogers tries to take the back in the final seconds but Wrzosek to his feet. Rogers lands a knee and he round ends. SCORECARD: Rogers 10-9
ROUND TWO: Touch of the gloves and Rogers looks to control the distance again, both land and then Rogers lands a leg kick as he exits. Wrzosek clips Rogers with a solid right; both trade again but Rogers with another takedown. Rogers works from half guard here against the cage, and then tries to get the back. Rogers landing some shots from the back here, nothing big, but controlling with ease. Wrzosek gets back to his feet, but Rogers drags him back down. He works again from half guard, postures up and again looks for the back. Wrzosek has nothing to offer here as Rogers is like a blanket here. Wrzosek manages to get to his feet, and taken back down. Rogers gets his back as we enter the final minute of the round. He looks for the choke, get it and Wrzosek taps.
OFFICIAL RESULT: Saul Rogers via RD2 submission {rear naked choke}
* Conor though it was a nice and clean fight. Faber says it was a dominant performance from Rogers. Dana says Rogers was the aggressor and grinded him out.
* We now go to the final Team Faber training session, as Julian Erosa is the last man standing. Jose Aldo is here to work with Team Faber, and to fuck with McGregor. He didn’t say that, but we all know the score. Aldo says he’s great friends with Faber, and he hopes to bring some of his training processes here. They trained, and then played some soccer in the gym.
* We see the final Team McGregor training session, and Lobov wants to KO Erosa. Conor speaks highly of Erosa for beating two of his guys noting that Lobov cannot get lazy and allow Erosa to play his game. Conor also spoke about his friendship with Lobov (they are teammates) and how they came up together from nothing and now Lobov sees Conor on top of the world, where he wants to be. Conor adds that he is grateful for this experience and is glad he did the show.
* Dana says Lobov and Erosa do not like each other, have been talking shit al season and that makes him excited for the fight.
* We get the usual warm up stuff, with Conor and Faber both explaining why their guys can win. Conor enters the guy and sees Aldo is here. Conor didn’t think he’d see Aldo again. Dana then takes the time to hype the fight, as Conor calls Aldo a runner and a guy famous for pulling out of fights.
Artem Lobov (11-10-1-1, 2-0 TUF) vs. Julian Erosa (14-2 MMA, 2-0 TUF) – ROUND ONE: Again, we’re scheduled for three rounds. It won’t go that long. They come out; Lobov is aggressive early, throwing a combo and then leg kicks. Right hook follows for Lobov, he in controlling distance and landing well in the first minute. He backs Erosa off to the cage; Lobov then drops him and then follows up with ground and pound and that is all she wrote!
OFFICIAL RESULT: Artem Lobov via RD1 KO
* Conor ripped his pants climbing into the cage to celebrate.
* Artem Lobov was eliminated in the play in round to get in the house, but both teams were given a chance to bring a fighter back. Lobov is a McGregor training partner and got back in, and certainly made the most of his second chance with three first round finishes.
* Erosa thought he was doing well, and then he got woke up by the ref. Faber still feels he has a lot of potential.
* Dana ended up pleased with the season, and says Conor was right, the Europeans took control and are in the finals. Team Faber is out of the tournament, as the finals are two fighters from team McGregor.
* Conor wishes Aldo a safe camp and tells him not to pull out of the
A message on the screen informs us that Saul Rogers was removed from the finale card, due to a legal issue, forcing the UFC to chose a replacement. Dana says that Rogers lied on his VISA application and can’t get into the US. Ryan Hall (4-1 MMA, 1-1 TUF), who lost to Rogers via majority decision, has been chosen to take his place. Hall was shocked, and was actually training with Lobov in Ireland.
* THE FINALS ARE NOW: Ryan Hall (4-1 MMA, 1-1 TUF) vs. Artem Lobov (11-10-1-1, 3-0 TUF)
* Make sure to join 411 on Friday night for our LIVE TUF 22 Finale coverage.
Team Faber (United States)
–Ryan Hall (4-1 MMA, 1-1 TUF) {given second chance due to Saul Rogers’ legal issues}
–Julian Erosa (14-2 MMA, 2-1 TUF)
–Chris Gruetzemacher (12-1 MMA, 1-1 TUF)
–Jason Gonzalez (9-2, 0-1 TUF)
–Johnny Nunez (5-1, 0-1 TUF)
–James Jenkins (8-1, 0-1 TUF)
–Thanh Le (4-1 MMA, 0-1 TUF)
–Billy Quarantillo (6-1 MMA, 0-1 TUF)
–Tom Gallicchio (19-8 MMA, 0-1 TUF)
Team McGregor (Europe)
–Artem Lobov (11-10-1-1, 3-0 TUF)
–Saul Rogers (10-1 MMA, 3-0 TUF) {legal issue elimination]
–Marcin Wrzosek (10-2 MMA, 2-1 TUF)
–Abner Lloveras (19-7-1, 1-1 TUF)
–David Teymur (3-1, 1-1 TUF)
–Mehdi Baghdad (11-3 MMA, 0-1 TUF)
–Sascha Sharma (8-2, 0-1 TUF)
–Frantz Frank Slioa (4-0 MMA, 0-1 TUF)
–Martin Svensson (14-5 MMA, 1-0 TUF) {medical elimination, broken elbow}
* End scene.
* Thanks for reading.
“Byyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyye Felicia!”
