TUF Season 11 Episode 5 Re-Cap

The Ultimate Fighter Season 11 Episode 5 Re-Cap
"If It Breathes, It Bleeds"
Team Liddell vs. Team Ortiz

Last week we had two fights with Jamie Yager and Rich Attonito both advancing. Team Ortiz finally got a win and is trailing 3-1 but now has the opportunity to pick the next fight. Tito gets to pick his first fight of the competition and picks Kris McCray to fight Josh Bryant. Looks like a good pick by Tito in my book.

Clayton McKinney had surgery so he won't be coming back to fight in the wildcard spot. Tito apologizes to Clayton McKinney for saying that he lacked heart when he was really injured. Clayton flicks him off when Tito turns his back. Dana says Josh has knockout power in both hands and has great wrestling. Chuck has to leave again and is leaving John Hackleman in charge.

"I'll be taking over the reigns but in reality he'll be calling the shots like John Gotti did when he was in prison"- John Hackleman

"Don't turn the channel. Don't get up for a coffee or soda or popcorn. It's not gonna last that long"- Kris McCray

Middleweight Fight- Kris McCray (5-0) (Team Ortiz) vs. Josh Bryant (10-0) (Team Liddell)

R1- McCray landed strikes early and then got a take down. McCray took Bryant's back and tried to go for an arm bar but lost his position. McCray briefly worked a clinch and then got a take down but couldn't hold it. McCray got another take down but couldn't complete it and Bryant picked McCray up and dumped him on his back. Bryant tried for a really sloppy Rear Naked Choke and quickly lost it and gave up position to McCray. Neither guy dominated but McCray took the round 10-9.

R2- McCray looked really tired when the round started and Bryant hit a couple of strikes early. Bryant landed a couple more really good clean strikes. McCray hit a knee but got taken down. Bryant tried to work a kimura but the fight went back to their feet where Bryant landed a couple more shots. McCray showing a good chin. McCray landed another knee and then ate a slam. McCray got a take down with a minute and a half left in the fight but was not able to do much from the top because of his conditioning. Bryant stayed busy on the bottom and while he didn't land anything substantial he did stay busy. Bryant took this round to even up the fight 19-19 on my score card.

R3- They clinch and both guys just look exhausted. This is a frustrating round. These guys knew they were going to be on TUF. Unless they just had a huge adrenaline dump why didn't they come into the house in shape with this opportunity that they have? Three and a half minutes into the round and neither guy has done anything to win the fight. Still clinching against the cage and both guys resting/struggling for a take down. Bryant shows some sign of life after Herb Dean splits them up and he lands some strikes. McCray went for a really weak take down and basically gave top position to Bryant with less than a minute left in the fight. Bryant went for the mount and McCray gave up his back. Bryant went for a Rear Naked Choke but again didn't have good position. Bryant clearly won this fight as he just had more in his gas tank than McCray did.

Winner: Josh Bryant by Decision

"McCray comes out after the first round and looks completely gassed. Completely gassed"- Tito Ortiz
"I was like Damn I'm tired"- Kris McCray

Team Liddell goes up 4-1 and takes back control of choosing the fights.

Here are my way too early rankings based only on the first three TUF shows. Rankings will change drastically after the first round of fights I am sure.

Middleweight Rankings:
1. Jamie Yager (Team Ortiz Pick #4)- defeated Charles Blanchard (TKO (Strikes) R1)
2. Kyle Noke (Team Liddell Pick #1)- defeated Clayton McKinney (Triangle Choke R1)
3. Nick Ring (Team Ortiz Pick #1)
4. Brad Tavares (Team Liddell Pick #5)- defeated James Hammortree (Decision)
5. Court McGee (Team Liddell Pick #6)
6. Rich Attonito (Team Liddell Pick #2)- defeated Kyacey Uscola (DQ- Illegal Knees)
7. Joe Henle (Team Liddell Pick #7)
8. Josh Bryant (Team Liddell Pick #4)- defeated Kris McCray (Decision)
9. Seth Baczynski (Team Ortiz Replacement)

Eliminated:
Clayton McKinney by Kyle Noke (First Round)
Chris Camozzi- left due to injury
James Hammortree by Brad Tavares (First Round)
Kyacey Uscola by Rich Attonito (First Round- DQ'd Illegal Knees)
Charles Blanchard by Jamie Yager (First Round)
Kris McCray by Josh Bryant (Frist Round)