The Ultimate Fighter 7: Team Rampage Vs. Team Griffin

Episode 1 Recap

Hurrah, it's back again for yet another season and this time round Dana's shaking things up a little!

This time round 16 fighters are invited into the UFC gym and then 8 more walk in (looks of puzzlement ensue all around), then after that another 8 enter the gym and everyone is quiet as all 32 wannabe UFC contract winners look at each other wondering what the hell is going on! Dana then decides to enter the gym to explain all and put the guys out of there misery.

Dana gathers all the fighters around and introduces the coaches which as we all know are season one winner Forrest Griffin and the current light heavyweight champion Quinton Jackson. Dana explains to the guys that he is sick and tired of the pussies and posers and that this season he is going to sort the men from the boys by making them fight their way onto the show.

The new fighters then begin to train and cut weight for their upcoming fights. Some guys are bitchy about the fact that they have to fight their way onto the show and others are ready to get in there and start fighting. At weighing in, everyone makes the weight, including John Clarke who managed to drop a mahoosive 17lbs!

Elimination Fight 1: Prince McLean Vs Mike Dolce

Round One: Dolce knocks Prince down early but doesn't seem able to finish. Dolce then lands a big slam and then just holds Prince down. Prince then manages to fight to his feel and then gets knocked out.

Elimination Fight 2: Cale Yarbrough Vs John Clarke

Round One: John gets a takedown and looks more comfortable than he did on his feet. John Passes to Side Control and then to a crucifix position, he ends up getting Cale's back but Cale manages to get to his feet. John tries to suplex Cale but he turns into his Guard. John then goes for an Armbar but Cale rolls out, gets to his feet and then pounds John out for the win.

Elimination Fight 3: Steve Byrnes Vs Amir Sadollah

Round One: Steve works for a takedown and ends up being in Half Guard, he manages to drop some elbows. Steve attempts to pass to Mount but Amir turns him over and ends up in guard. Steve tries for an armbar but Amir shakes it off. Amir then tries to pass to mount but Steve flips him over and ends up in guard, Amir locks in a triangle choke whilst throwing some elbows. Steve fights out and manages to land somw hammer fists as the round ends.

Round Two: Steve manages to get a quick takedown but Amir works to his feet. Steve gets another takedown and this time Amir rolls out and into mount, Amir rolls out of mount and secures an armbar for the win.

The rest of the fights aren't shown in full and the highlights are just shown.

Elimination Fight 4 - CB Calloway wins his fight against David Baggett in a few short minutes.
Elimination Fight 5 - Dante Riviera picks John Wood up, slams him near the cage and then wins with a kimura.
Elimination Fight 6 - Nick Klein wins his fight against David Newborn with an arm triangle.
Elimination Fight 7 - Paul Bradley wins his fight against Reggie Orr by just laying on his opponent. Dana was annoyed that Bradley did nothing except doing that!

The last fight shown is between Dave Roberts and Jeremy May. Roberts trains with Rampage and is a longtime friend of his.

Elimination Fight 8: Dave Roberts Vs Jeremy May

Round One: Jeremy lands some good punches and drops Dave. Dave recovers quickly and then scores a takedown. Jeremy then quickly puts him in an armbar and he taps out.

Jeremy and Rampage exchange words but it all seems to be in jest. Dave predictably feels that he has let Jackson down.

Made it into the House:

Mike Dolce
Cale Yarbrough
Amir Sadollah
CB Dollaway
Dante Rivera
Nick Klein
Paul Bradley
Jeremy May

Next week: More elimination fights as the remaining 8 battle for a place on one of the teams!

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