The Utlimate Fighter Episode 4:Love to Hate

Welcome back boys and girl to the next installment of “TUF” season 12. The program starts with a recap of Michael Johnson’s TKO victory over Aaron Wilkinson. Both teams give their opinions of the fight and special guest Mike Tyson was very impressed.

GSP and staff preach to their team why it’s important to close out strong. Tyson doles out his own advice and gives the team a rousing pep talk, the point “believe in yourself.” GSP does not hide how excited he is about their guest.

At Team Koscheck’s training session, Koscheck tells his team that its time to step up (“or die trying”). The team thinks that they can right the ship and end with a positive record. (Keep telling them not to think for themselves Josh!)

Back at the house “Bruce Leroy” (aka Alex Caceres) gets in a heated conversation with Sevak Magakian about his cheering during the Johnson/Wilkinson fight. Apparently Bruce Leroy yelled for his team to “{BLEEP} him up”, Team Koscheck thought this was classless. Leroy and Sevak are nose to nose in the kitchen, they get separated and Sevak vows to fight Leroy. (The testosterone level at the house is very high at the moment.) Leroy says that he’s the guy you love to hate this season. (great that means you get more screen time….)

During Team GSP gym time, GSP discusses how Koscheck’s taunting and pranks won’t get to him. (Josh’s “ultra jock” antics will continue until it phases GSP, don’t worry!) GSP shows no emotion when Koscheck calls him a nerd.

Fight announcement time: (keep up kids) the announcement is Team GSP’s Kyle Watson vs Team Koscheck’s Andy Main. The fighters have similar backgrounds in jiu-jitsu, but Watson talks about how he’s a more well-rounded fighter (not everyone says that in the confessional). Andy talks about his confidence that he can put away the oldest fighter in the house and pull out a victory for his team.

Team GSP training session: Kyle explains that he is big on game planning and likes to dictate the pace (Hey news flash water is wet). He feels he can keep the fight standing up and wants to finish his opponent.

Team Koscheck training session: Josh continues (I TOLD YOU SO) to taunt GSP. He even goes as far as saying that his team will train in Speedos (Product Plug?) like GSP does. Koscheck questions GSP’s manhood (did he beat you once already Josh? So if he’s an a… then you were beat by an a….). Koscheck keeps the verbal assault coming and GSP just brushes it off. Koscheck even admits that he could show the restraint that GSP shows.

Dave Camerillo, an assistant coach, pulls out his IPhone (Product Plug?) to grab some video footage of Watson. Camerillo explains that there are holes in Watson game. They plan around Main’s lack of standup, but highlight his explosiveness and overall power.

Weigh-ins: No prolems as the fighters both make 155. (Boring…)

Then something new, series of confessional, (You see what I did there?). my favorite was “Team Koscheck is pretty confident, but they’ve been wrong twice before, and I think they’ll be wrong for a third time,” from Michael Johnson.

Team Koscheck training session: Andy knows what is at stake for this fight (matchmaking!). Josh tries to give his guys a pep talk in which he shares his hatred for GSP, specifically, because he’s “French” (hey Josh, I thought GSP was a French Canadian, but whatever). Main discusses how he feels Josh is “lighting the fire” under his ass. Maybe the talks are working?

Team GSP’s training session: John Danaher, an assistant coach, talks about a fighters psychological baggage that he takes with him into the Octagon. Whichever fighter can handle it best is more likely to win the fight.

GSP helps Watson try to get past his nerves before the fight. He sits with Watson and talks him through the game plan. Although it Watson was having troubles at first, his answers got clearer towards the end of the talk. They did mock introductions to help him visualize the fight.

Kyle’s confessional time: “It’s anxiety of wanting to do well, not really the anxiety of fear.”

After fighter confessionals, and fight warm up we are in the Octagon and its TIME!

Team GSP’s Kyle Watson vs. Team Koscheck’s Andy Main:

The fighters trade low kicks and punches, Kyle lands a nice right to the chin and follows that with a left. Kyle moves in for a Superman punch, but eats a counter shot for his troubles. After a strong exchange Kyle pushes his opponent against the cage. Andy reverses the position and takes his opponents back and gets a standing body lock on Kyle. Kyle controls the wrists avoiding the choke. Andy is throwing punches but they don’t faze Kyle. Andy slips off and to the mat, they scramble for control. Kyle escapes and avoids the up kicks. He looks to improve his position and finds himself inside Andy’s guard. Andy works to avoid punishment, but using butterfly guard gives Kyle the distance needed to throw some shots. The round ends with Kyle in side control.

The round was close and after mid-round instructions, the fighters are ready for round 2.

Kyle looks gassed and Andy throws a kick to gain distance. Andy comes forward with a flying knee that misses the mark, but lands a follow up punch. Andy keeps swinging, Kyle controls his hips and gets a takedown. Andy works from butterfly guard trying to escape. Kyle lands in side control and delivers more elbow shots. The coaches are telling Andy to give up his back to try and get to his feet. Kyle press him to the mat and works from half guard. Kyle uses short punches and the ref warns him to “WORK”. Kyle postures up and then lands a stiff right to the head. Andy gets a warning about his up kicks to the head while Kyle is on the mat. Kyle takes Andy’s back while Andy turns to his knees. Kyle starts looking for a rear naked choke. Koscheck is screaming instructions, but Kyle finally gets his arm under his opponents chin to secure the choke.

Koscheck talks about how Andy didn’t follow HIS game plan. (Cause it wasn’t that Team GSP’s fighter was good or anything!).

GSP weighs in on the win: “A lot of people counted out Kyle because he’s old, But he kept his composure.”

Andy takes the loss hard and expresses it, Josh joins him in the dressing room and tries to encourage him. Koscheck was angry, but knows that screaming about it will help no one.

Team GSP is up 3-0 on Team Koscheck and no taunting, name calling or pranks can change that fact.

Watch the The Aftermath Show on Spike for more from this episode.