TUF 17 Ep.8: One For The Bag Guys

TUF 17 Ep.8 featured the final bout first round bout between Team Jones’ Dylan Andrews and Team Sonnen’s Zak Cummings before the stage is set for the wild card contest.

I don't think it counts for much, but Zak Cummings wins the
fight for better hair -- and creepier gaze.

The Blow by Blow
Par for the course of late, we begin the episode with more discussion about the wild card fight and Bubba McDaniel wants the spot for Team Jones.  Adam Cella makes an argument for Bubba in a confession piece and described how the veteran fighter just puts in more effort -- such as getting in a run after group training has ended.

And that’s it.  There is no behind the scenes this week and we get straight to the Coaches Challenge, where each coach competed in three challenges -- where they competed in excavators.

Yep, big ass construction equipment.

The coaches began by filling a 14-yard dumpster with dirt and Jon Jones jumped to an early lead.  However, Chael Sonnen soon overtook the UFC light heavyweight champion by scooping larger amounts in his bucket and finished first.

Sonnen moved to the next contest -- and talked some smack as he drove along -- while Jones lagged behind.  He then began stacking three oversized tractor tires in a pyramid shape and positioned two before Jones started the second competition.

But as Sonnen struggled to position his third tire, Jones quickly moved his into place and secured the third with his claw.   As both fighters worked to place the top tire, Jones miraculously dropped his into place and it balanced along the edges of the base tires across a gaping width between.

Jones chugged along to third segment, where the coaches would grab a basketball off a cone and drop it into a tire, and celebrated in the cab of the excavator.   ‘Bones’ immediately snatched the ball and spun the excavator to drop the ball in the tire, only to have it rim out and spin helplessly into the dirt.

In the meantime, Sonnen secured his basketball and maneuvered to drop it into place to win the challenge -- including $10,000 for himself and $1.5k for each of his fighters.

(And, while TUF didn’t show it, I’m sure the collective of Team Jones was likely pissed to lose out on that cash.)

As he has stated many times before, Sonnen shared a, “One more for the bad guys.”

Get to Know Your Fighters
Back in Australia, Dylan (16-4-1) went to a video rental store (blast from the past!) to get a UFC video and he noticed a gym next door -- and ended up training there for six years.

The Kiwi, who was the last TUF participant selected to a team, grew up around a marijuana farm in Australia and was inspired by the failures of his brothers, who were caught up in the weed game.

Dylan also faces a mental hurdle in that he feels trapped because he is so good at fighting that he cannot walk away.  He has two children -- a seven-year-old son and a four-year-old daughter.  Dylan explained that he works to provide for his family, but he has put them through hell by being a fighter and get this opportunity.

Zak’s (15-3) friends thought he was too smart to fight, but they soon recognized his dedication and ability.  Despite being a cage fighter, the Missouri-native has never been in street fight.  After trying out for TUF six previous times, Zak finally made the cut after his seventh effort.

Zak explained that he is happy he had to wait until the last fight, as it allowed him to get comfortable in the house -- and get mentally prepared.

The Fight

After feeling each other out Zak shot and pushed the action to the cage.  The pair retuned to their feat and Dylan retreated after catching a punch and quickly ended up on the mat with Zak in side control -- where he soon began dropping elbows.  However, Dylan reserved the position as soon as Zak took top control.  With blood flowing from the side of his head where he ate the elbows, Dyaln controlled the final two minutes on top and landed some good blows -- potentially enough to steal the round.

The pair began the second round by dancing in the middle of the ring for 30 seconds -- and midway though the pair exchanged a high five after Zak threw a wild, yet entertaining spinning kick.   Zak tossed a strong punch and Dylan retreated.  Zak pressed the action and jumped, only to have Dylan catch him and position himself atop Zak as he fell to the mat.  Dylan spent the next four minutes on top of Zak landing elbows and punches and stood at the bell knowing he had won.

The Kiwi took the fight by majority decision.

The Wild Card
In past years, UFC lord and overseer Dana White picked the wild card matchup, but allowed the coaches to decide.  Sonnen has an easy decision and selected Kevin Casey.  Meanwhile, Jones was forced to choose between his first pick, Clint Hester, and his training partner, Bubba McDaniel.  After taking a few minutes and discussing the opportunity with the team, Jones selected Bubba.

Episode Grade:  B+
It wasn’t the best fight of the season, but it was entertaining.  Toss in a Coaches Challenge and the wild card selection and it made for an entertaining evening of TUF.