TUF 17 Ep.6 Recap: Tor's Hammered

For those who missed TUF 17Ep.6, here is a brief rundown of this week’s episode as we witnessed another sensational knockout in the matchup between Team Sonnen’s Tor Troeng and Team Jones’ Josh Samman.

The Blow by Blow
As Bubba McDaniel licked his wounds from his submission to Kevlin Gastelum, Team Sonnen built a hammer for Tor -- out of kinesio tape and objects at hand.  As expected, the team engaged in Bam Bam-like behavior with Tor’s hammer.

Luke Barnatt was popped by a jab from Uriah in training and ended the sparring session, claiming his opponent’s attitude sucks.

“He’s not really a team player.  He’s an individual and it is an individual and can respect that … but his attitude sucks.  Uriah’s got a big ego – hes an ego driven machine.”

With Gilbert Smith Jr. stirring the pot at dinner, Uriah called out Luke, his teammate, as a potential future matchup -- but quickly started backpedaling from the statement, saying he was discussing a future ‘best’ matchup scenario.

However, a seemingly mundane conversation then led to Uriah dropping a verbal bomb on Adam Cella: “Man, is your girl like a bitch like you?”

Uraih started backpedaling again, yet again continued his verbal assaults the next morning:  “The more I talk to (Josh) the more I don’t like him.  I just think he’s a dick.”

It’s obvious the house is uncomfortable with Uriah.

After the household melodrama, the teams went boxing where the coaches agreed to compete in a three-frame contest -- with the loser coaching a training session in the winning team’s jersey.  It came down to the last frame, but Jon Jones lost -- and promptly ran out of the bowling alley.

In the moments before the fight, Chael Sonnen gave Tor a backrub, prompting Luke to quip, “and people say wrestlers are gay.”

Get to Know Your Fighters
Tor (15-4-1) is a country boy from Sweden, which I assume means he probably owned a snowmobile and definitely tire chains.  He started training in martial arts at nine-years-old and began MMA at16.

The real Thor, with a real hammer.

Oh yeah, he’s smart -- he works part time as a university math researcher to fund his fighting.  And he’s a really relaxed dude.

Josh (9-2) is not a relaxed dude.  He’s an alpha male and even coached an evening workout session for his Team Jones at the house, which was received with mixed reviews.

He previously tried out for TUF and tore his quad, which resulted in a blood clot during the flight home.  After nearly losing his leg, Josh received 200 stiches and 40 staples in surgery, but has since recovered and exceed his previous results.  He grew up raised by a single mother who admonished violence, but Josh was an adrenaline junkie and viewed fighting as his opportunity to be great.

The Fight

After battling along the cage clinched for 110 seconds, Josh attempted a failed trip resulted in Tor having the first advantage.  However, Tor was unable to muster any offense on the ground and the foes returned to their feet -- and again resumed jockeying along the fence.

After a series of short knees by Josh, Tor pushed his partner away, but stumbled and retreated.  Josh pushed the action and threw a right kick to the torso.  He immediately followed with a three punch combo, left-right-left, with the straight right ending the action during the spectacular furry.

Episode Grade:  B+
If it weren’t for the spectacular KO, the episode was pretty lackluster -- no surprises, guest appearances or real action.  Only Uriah being an ass and bowling.  And, by the way, it appeared the preview of this episode suggested Josh’s injuries might play a role -- and, ahem, that didn’t happen.  Luke also continues to be a favorite of the producers.