A Title-less Episode Review of Ultimate Fighter - Week 7
Show Viewing Date: 10-29-2008
Show Title: Ultimate Fighter: Week 7 Team Nogueira V. Team Mir - Title
Network: SpikeHD
Reviewed By: Mike Wilkerson
Ahh, lucky week 7 arrives and it's time again to watch the men selected as this season's Ultimate Fighter Candidates and this time, it's all about truth. What will we see this week? More Junie-Gooneyness? Pranks galore as the boys get hard core in their respective corners? We'll find out more as we begin this Savage Science Television Review of Ultimate Fighter's 7th week episode, that strangely has no title in either the HD box or on the Ultimate Fighter Episode Guide online. Coincidence or intentional? Read on and decide for yourself!
As with many of my online reviews, I'll be reviewing this initial episode in a "stream of consciousness" format, giving you essentially what I'm thinking as the show airs. I encourage everyone to send feedback in regard to any of the points below and let's use this opportunity as a rallying and sounding-off point for our love, of the truly SAVAGE SCIENCE...
-- Mir's Unwavering Honesty: I again hold "ultimate" respect for Frank Mir as this episode launches. He grills Looney Junie, who simply "won" the fight this last episode. He makes it clear that there should have been much more in the way of preparation, stick-to-it-iveness, and much less gooney Junie. As we mentioned in our last episode, conditioning probably killed Junie here, on top of having what is a monumentally childlike series of drunken tirades. Something else that I don't get, perhaps because I've never been a drinker, is the "post fight booze-a-holicness" that it appears is something common post fight. If we isolate the things that Junie has issues with, and why he has issues with them, his lack of self control and self discipline are way on top of the proverbial totem pole. Wouldn't getting drunk and losing what little control and discipline faculties he has be a no-no at this point? If not for him then for his team? The show's producers? Thankfully, though condoning the "drinking tonite" Mir tells him outright, "no fiascoes" which I understand but imagine if he didn't drink or need to drink at all? As I understand it, after getting punched, one of the things you don't want to do immediately, like taking aspirin, blowing your nose, etc, is GO DEHYDRATE yourself with booze. "Inside the ring, you've got all the skills to win this thing. Outside the ring, you scare the shit out of me." Seems a pretty easy decision for me and I'm not sure how there aren't more people "helping" Junie make the right decisions. It's only his career and the UFC money after all. I'll just shake my head and move on to the next point.
-- And a Bone is "Fractured or Something": Ooof - We see the shear dread of a potential injury here that makes my skin crawl. As a former sign language Interpreter for the Deaf, I actually had my hands insured for just such an emergency. I'm guessing that NONE of these guys has anything like that in place so - oy - not only could chances on the show be destroyed, but - imagine if you'd left a job to pursue your "dream" here and - a fractured thumb? Eek.
-- Is that People Having Fun?: I am always happy to see more of this side of the game in programs like this. It's something that I think helps to build the spirit of the sport in general, but also helps you understand that while we all had either a wrestling or football coach that was a ball-grinder, we also had the ones that made you think, work, and ENJOY the time you spend with your compatriots. Far too few coaches in my life were able to instill some of the overall feel that we see here with Nogueira and the team in general. I've recently contacted a local MMA outfit to become my local source of information and more and I hope to get more input on what kind of methods, varieties and "why we do ______ and suches" in further reviews, articles and podcasts here at The Savage Nation and more. FUN is something completely forgotten in exercise way too often.
-- Ha - More Gaming Action: This episode they have a game called "Fallout 3" showcased, with a bunch of talking head moments with Frank Mir. Does Mir game? Does anyone know? I'd love to know more about that. I don't see him as the gaming type, though those who try it are usually taken and get involved quickly. I'm not sure what's up with the audio quality of this entire series of Fallout 3 adds when they have Mir speaking, but they need to put the sound engineer into the ring and let there be some soap-in-sock action on him. that's not the way to inspire people to buy your game or be interested in something super cool, but sounds like ass.
-- A Matter of Volume Control: Sure as hell, the next commercial is SICKENINGLY loud. What is it with television not being able to regulate the commercial volumes to something manageable? I don't think I could have had a conversation with someone sitting next to me in the theater if I'd tried with the volume as high as it was. Let's get on that, SpikeHD.
-- Taking Conditioning Seriously: Again, it's great that Mir chimes in on what conditioning means, and talks more about the new trainers that have been used in other championship levels that can clearly make the difference in converting the way your body uses and demands oxygen. It's an outstanding explanation of how the "system" works and how these men will benefit from the training that they're receiving. The bottom line is that they're trying to push the fighters in training harder than they'll be working inside the ring during a fight. The bucket o' ice thing is something I've actually seen in the clubhouse of several professional sports organizations and it's true: the inflammation that you will have as a matter of course during training, fighting, anything else is reduced significantly. There are a number of other traits accompanying this piece of the conditioning that Frank discusses that truly should be taken to heart by any professional athlete.
-- Nogueira's Only Got Bread and Butter BJJ: And both feet, knees, calves, and future jumps straight into Vinny's mouth. What a complete dumbass.
-- Coaches That Understand They Don't Know Everything: "There's a lot of things that she's showing me on the ground - he's SCARY on the ground..." Frank Mir opens up with this note during a quick focus on Vinny, and that's something impressive to me. The coaches in this show are called upon because they are amongst if not the best in the world at beating on people, and that they can admit that they don't know everything is something very satisfying to me. I wish there had been at least a bit more of that this evening to balance out the always-present trash-talking from people that just simply cannot back it up or are outright lying to people. More on that soon.
-- I Guess Baking Wasn't in the Curriculum: I think that it's outstanding that the Nogueira team takes the time to recognize their coach's birthday, though - I'm assuming that baking cakes wasn't in the fight academy portfolio. Those are some rancid-looking cakes and I feel tremendous pity on those that have to partake. Vinny's beratement of Team Nogueira's habits (eating together, being together, etc) is again very revealing and something that will surely come to haunt him.
-- Fight Announcement Screen Quality: Jules from "the south" gets his match with Vinny in this episode and - having only watched a week before this one and this episode - why on EARTH would he encourage Nogueira to fight VINNY? Is it a personal challenge thing or the age-old "if I win, I win, if I get beat, I get beat by a great ground man but I still win" thing? There's something to be said for a challenge, but looking at each of them just off the cuff here in my second week - there's much to worry about in Jules' corner.
-- If He Hits The Ground, Just Tell Me What To Do?: I'm sorry - WHAT? You encourage Nogueira to put you in a fight with a ground-game man, and you then want him to "tell you what to do if it goes to the ground?" Have you not just shown your own life's speedbump by taking on the fight and then asked for complete assistance" if it goes to the ground? Oh, Jules, oh Jules...
-- The Magic of OPEN Captioning: I'll take a moment here to stroke the wonderful powers of The Ultimate Fighter for taking the time to caption this entire, terribly-revealing showcase of a true bullshit artist, our Brazillian God, Vinny. Not only is the complete conversation open captioned (I have been reviewing Open and Close Captioned Entertainment Material professionally for more than a year now - CaptionHunt.Com, btw), but they have colored each of the people speaking Portugeuse so that you can better understand who is telling whom what. Note: Vinny says outright, "I have many nicknames..." There's on in particular that I'd like to focus on during this next point.
-- The So-Called Power of Trash Talking and The Truth: In my last review of "The Ultimate Fighter" Week 6, I talked specificially about my disdain for trash talking and I have to emphasize this here. Vinny is clearly a gifted ground athlete, and if anything has shown to be true over time is that a skilled groundman can take down just about anyone and have their way. That being said, this segment with an initial onset of Nogueira's team telling him about Vinny's ravings is one of the most outright, deliberate lies I have ever seen in my life. The backpedaling rivals the forward pedaling of Lance Armstrong in this segment. To put the icing on the cake, after he tells Nogueira personally that he said nothing negative about his skills at all, Vinny then proceeds to badmouth him AGAIN, to the camera afterwards. Bad form, Vinny, and there is a glove with your name written on it in your future. I've no idea when it will arrive, but believe me - just as in everything in life - what comes around, goes around and hits you plain on the button. Prepare, our little Brazillian friend.
-- First Couture/Lesnar Commercial I've Seen: Is everyone as excited as I am to see this fight? It's great to see how they're building it and I'm very eager to see November 15th arrive.
-- Vinny's Achilles Heel: Does anyone else know a fighter that considers his face "undamaged/baby face enough" for it to be an Achilles heel for them? Are they fighting currently? Can you name them for me?
-- Checking Out the "Leaks" at Spike.Com: I'd like to recommend that you be sure to check out the "leaks" that are featured over at Spike.Com because the entire section regarding conditioning was featured a week early on their website this last week. In case any of you haven't gotten on board the train, there is much to be collected in the way of entertainment that supports all levels of television viewers and it's just a matter of finding it.
-- This Week's Fight Begins: The venerable Herb Dean is the man in the middle this go'round, and just from the start of the fight, I am awed by the difference in size of these two men. they don't list the weights of the two, but Vinny is remarkably more fit, and just simply showcasing more beef to Jule's chub. I've learned long ago to never underestimate things based on how things "look", but it's something that's always on the forefront. The sheer "size" of the two men showcased here is a big leaning pointer to Vinny in the way of conditioning. Dana introduces the fight and after touching gloves --- there is no big left that comes to Vinny. Hmm. In fact there's not a lot of anything but some kicking from Vinny? Another 30 seconds click off with circling as the sole feature and an inside leg kick from Vinny lands - then another. Jules looks like he has no idea what he's doing in the ring, and - how does a guy that's working out as regular and hard as these guys have love handles? Another inside leg kick from Vinnny leaves Jules flummoxed and unsure what to do - POW! A 2x4-like kick to the gut by Vinny that instantaneously leaves a red mark on Jules abdomen. Jules does nothing to respond and I don't think he even blinked after being struck. At 2:35, Jules WAVES IN VINNY? Are you kidding me? Another gargantuan kick by Vinny is soon followed up by Jules first left-handed punch of the fight that misses all targets. Jules throws a right jab and kick down the middle that do nothing to intimidate his opponent. The two finally come together in pseudo-study hall-like blows and hey! they're going to the ground!? No way! Sure as the day is filled with sunlight, Vinny tries the flying armbar, and misses. He pins Jules upside down against the cage, and - you guessed it again! Grabs an arm! In what is a third step of unbelievability, Vinny rolls up on his knees and is IN FULL MOUNT? No defense is coming from Jules. Is Jules actually still in the ring or did he go for some more pasta and Rolaids? Speaking of Rolaids, there's no change for an upset here because Vinny quickly go-go-goes for his ankle step-over on Jules right arm, hooks in the gogo-plata, cradles Jule's shoulder and not so strangely, there is a very quick, succinct "tap" after a "fight" that is akin to Sominex distributed by way of plasma screen in my theater this evening.
Winner - Vinny by way of Gogo-Armbar
The Savage Science Review Moral: Woof. There is a reason that UFC President Dana White instantly appears and notes that he nearly fell asleep for this episode -- err, I mean fight. While the front end had some moments that were paced well with the conditioning section, the bullshit artistry of Vinny, and even the accidental coaching scenes in this episode, this will be one of those episodes that is never seen in syndication because this fight folks - yawner at best. That's truly too bad, because some of the elements showcased in this episode are very good for the sport of MMA - others surely aren't.
Overall Show Rating: We're giving this fat-on-the-bone episode review of "Ultimate Fighter" (Fall 2008) 2 out of 5 Savage Science Skullies. We're looking for way more than trash-talking from people that shouldn't be or simply don't have the skills to be putting words like they do in their own mouths.
Bottom Savage Science Line: There is much to like in this episode, but the trash-talking sandwich, and the "has it started yet? Do I have time to get a soda pop and a red hot"-vibe of this episode's fight in particular would not be one of the go-to reels in the UFC cabinet. Let's hope more action and attention-getting MMA-goodness prevails next week.
Show Title: Ultimate Fighter: Week 7 Team Nogueira V. Team Mir - Title
Network: SpikeHD
Reviewed By: Mike Wilkerson
Ahh, lucky week 7 arrives and it's time again to watch the men selected as this season's Ultimate Fighter Candidates and this time, it's all about truth. What will we see this week? More Junie-Gooneyness? Pranks galore as the boys get hard core in their respective corners? We'll find out more as we begin this Savage Science Television Review of Ultimate Fighter's 7th week episode, that strangely has no title in either the HD box or on the Ultimate Fighter Episode Guide online. Coincidence or intentional? Read on and decide for yourself!
As with many of my online reviews, I'll be reviewing this initial episode in a "stream of consciousness" format, giving you essentially what I'm thinking as the show airs. I encourage everyone to send feedback in regard to any of the points below and let's use this opportunity as a rallying and sounding-off point for our love, of the truly SAVAGE SCIENCE...
-- Mir's Unwavering Honesty: I again hold "ultimate" respect for Frank Mir as this episode launches. He grills Looney Junie, who simply "won" the fight this last episode. He makes it clear that there should have been much more in the way of preparation, stick-to-it-iveness, and much less gooney Junie. As we mentioned in our last episode, conditioning probably killed Junie here, on top of having what is a monumentally childlike series of drunken tirades. Something else that I don't get, perhaps because I've never been a drinker, is the "post fight booze-a-holicness" that it appears is something common post fight. If we isolate the things that Junie has issues with, and why he has issues with them, his lack of self control and self discipline are way on top of the proverbial totem pole. Wouldn't getting drunk and losing what little control and discipline faculties he has be a no-no at this point? If not for him then for his team? The show's producers? Thankfully, though condoning the "drinking tonite" Mir tells him outright, "no fiascoes" which I understand but imagine if he didn't drink or need to drink at all? As I understand it, after getting punched, one of the things you don't want to do immediately, like taking aspirin, blowing your nose, etc, is GO DEHYDRATE yourself with booze. "Inside the ring, you've got all the skills to win this thing. Outside the ring, you scare the shit out of me." Seems a pretty easy decision for me and I'm not sure how there aren't more people "helping" Junie make the right decisions. It's only his career and the UFC money after all. I'll just shake my head and move on to the next point.
-- And a Bone is "Fractured or Something": Ooof - We see the shear dread of a potential injury here that makes my skin crawl. As a former sign language Interpreter for the Deaf, I actually had my hands insured for just such an emergency. I'm guessing that NONE of these guys has anything like that in place so - oy - not only could chances on the show be destroyed, but - imagine if you'd left a job to pursue your "dream" here and - a fractured thumb? Eek.
-- Is that People Having Fun?: I am always happy to see more of this side of the game in programs like this. It's something that I think helps to build the spirit of the sport in general, but also helps you understand that while we all had either a wrestling or football coach that was a ball-grinder, we also had the ones that made you think, work, and ENJOY the time you spend with your compatriots. Far too few coaches in my life were able to instill some of the overall feel that we see here with Nogueira and the team in general. I've recently contacted a local MMA outfit to become my local source of information and more and I hope to get more input on what kind of methods, varieties and "why we do ______ and suches" in further reviews, articles and podcasts here at The Savage Nation and more. FUN is something completely forgotten in exercise way too often.
-- Ha - More Gaming Action: This episode they have a game called "Fallout 3" showcased, with a bunch of talking head moments with Frank Mir. Does Mir game? Does anyone know? I'd love to know more about that. I don't see him as the gaming type, though those who try it are usually taken and get involved quickly. I'm not sure what's up with the audio quality of this entire series of Fallout 3 adds when they have Mir speaking, but they need to put the sound engineer into the ring and let there be some soap-in-sock action on him. that's not the way to inspire people to buy your game or be interested in something super cool, but sounds like ass.
-- A Matter of Volume Control: Sure as hell, the next commercial is SICKENINGLY loud. What is it with television not being able to regulate the commercial volumes to something manageable? I don't think I could have had a conversation with someone sitting next to me in the theater if I'd tried with the volume as high as it was. Let's get on that, SpikeHD.
-- Taking Conditioning Seriously: Again, it's great that Mir chimes in on what conditioning means, and talks more about the new trainers that have been used in other championship levels that can clearly make the difference in converting the way your body uses and demands oxygen. It's an outstanding explanation of how the "system" works and how these men will benefit from the training that they're receiving. The bottom line is that they're trying to push the fighters in training harder than they'll be working inside the ring during a fight. The bucket o' ice thing is something I've actually seen in the clubhouse of several professional sports organizations and it's true: the inflammation that you will have as a matter of course during training, fighting, anything else is reduced significantly. There are a number of other traits accompanying this piece of the conditioning that Frank discusses that truly should be taken to heart by any professional athlete.
-- Nogueira's Only Got Bread and Butter BJJ: And both feet, knees, calves, and future jumps straight into Vinny's mouth. What a complete dumbass.
-- Coaches That Understand They Don't Know Everything: "There's a lot of things that she's showing me on the ground - he's SCARY on the ground..." Frank Mir opens up with this note during a quick focus on Vinny, and that's something impressive to me. The coaches in this show are called upon because they are amongst if not the best in the world at beating on people, and that they can admit that they don't know everything is something very satisfying to me. I wish there had been at least a bit more of that this evening to balance out the always-present trash-talking from people that just simply cannot back it up or are outright lying to people. More on that soon.
-- I Guess Baking Wasn't in the Curriculum: I think that it's outstanding that the Nogueira team takes the time to recognize their coach's birthday, though - I'm assuming that baking cakes wasn't in the fight academy portfolio. Those are some rancid-looking cakes and I feel tremendous pity on those that have to partake. Vinny's beratement of Team Nogueira's habits (eating together, being together, etc) is again very revealing and something that will surely come to haunt him.
-- Fight Announcement Screen Quality: Jules from "the south" gets his match with Vinny in this episode and - having only watched a week before this one and this episode - why on EARTH would he encourage Nogueira to fight VINNY? Is it a personal challenge thing or the age-old "if I win, I win, if I get beat, I get beat by a great ground man but I still win" thing? There's something to be said for a challenge, but looking at each of them just off the cuff here in my second week - there's much to worry about in Jules' corner.
-- If He Hits The Ground, Just Tell Me What To Do?: I'm sorry - WHAT? You encourage Nogueira to put you in a fight with a ground-game man, and you then want him to "tell you what to do if it goes to the ground?" Have you not just shown your own life's speedbump by taking on the fight and then asked for complete assistance" if it goes to the ground? Oh, Jules, oh Jules...
-- The Magic of OPEN Captioning: I'll take a moment here to stroke the wonderful powers of The Ultimate Fighter for taking the time to caption this entire, terribly-revealing showcase of a true bullshit artist, our Brazillian God, Vinny. Not only is the complete conversation open captioned (I have been reviewing Open and Close Captioned Entertainment Material professionally for more than a year now - CaptionHunt.Com, btw), but they have colored each of the people speaking Portugeuse so that you can better understand who is telling whom what. Note: Vinny says outright, "I have many nicknames..." There's on in particular that I'd like to focus on during this next point.
-- The So-Called Power of Trash Talking and The Truth: In my last review of "The Ultimate Fighter" Week 6, I talked specificially about my disdain for trash talking and I have to emphasize this here. Vinny is clearly a gifted ground athlete, and if anything has shown to be true over time is that a skilled groundman can take down just about anyone and have their way. That being said, this segment with an initial onset of Nogueira's team telling him about Vinny's ravings is one of the most outright, deliberate lies I have ever seen in my life. The backpedaling rivals the forward pedaling of Lance Armstrong in this segment. To put the icing on the cake, after he tells Nogueira personally that he said nothing negative about his skills at all, Vinny then proceeds to badmouth him AGAIN, to the camera afterwards. Bad form, Vinny, and there is a glove with your name written on it in your future. I've no idea when it will arrive, but believe me - just as in everything in life - what comes around, goes around and hits you plain on the button. Prepare, our little Brazillian friend.
-- First Couture/Lesnar Commercial I've Seen: Is everyone as excited as I am to see this fight? It's great to see how they're building it and I'm very eager to see November 15th arrive.
-- Vinny's Achilles Heel: Does anyone else know a fighter that considers his face "undamaged/baby face enough" for it to be an Achilles heel for them? Are they fighting currently? Can you name them for me?
-- Checking Out the "Leaks" at Spike.Com: I'd like to recommend that you be sure to check out the "leaks" that are featured over at Spike.Com because the entire section regarding conditioning was featured a week early on their website this last week. In case any of you haven't gotten on board the train, there is much to be collected in the way of entertainment that supports all levels of television viewers and it's just a matter of finding it.
-- This Week's Fight Begins: The venerable Herb Dean is the man in the middle this go'round, and just from the start of the fight, I am awed by the difference in size of these two men. they don't list the weights of the two, but Vinny is remarkably more fit, and just simply showcasing more beef to Jule's chub. I've learned long ago to never underestimate things based on how things "look", but it's something that's always on the forefront. The sheer "size" of the two men showcased here is a big leaning pointer to Vinny in the way of conditioning. Dana introduces the fight and after touching gloves --- there is no big left that comes to Vinny. Hmm. In fact there's not a lot of anything but some kicking from Vinny? Another 30 seconds click off with circling as the sole feature and an inside leg kick from Vinny lands - then another. Jules looks like he has no idea what he's doing in the ring, and - how does a guy that's working out as regular and hard as these guys have love handles? Another inside leg kick from Vinnny leaves Jules flummoxed and unsure what to do - POW! A 2x4-like kick to the gut by Vinny that instantaneously leaves a red mark on Jules abdomen. Jules does nothing to respond and I don't think he even blinked after being struck. At 2:35, Jules WAVES IN VINNY? Are you kidding me? Another gargantuan kick by Vinny is soon followed up by Jules first left-handed punch of the fight that misses all targets. Jules throws a right jab and kick down the middle that do nothing to intimidate his opponent. The two finally come together in pseudo-study hall-like blows and hey! they're going to the ground!? No way! Sure as the day is filled with sunlight, Vinny tries the flying armbar, and misses. He pins Jules upside down against the cage, and - you guessed it again! Grabs an arm! In what is a third step of unbelievability, Vinny rolls up on his knees and is IN FULL MOUNT? No defense is coming from Jules. Is Jules actually still in the ring or did he go for some more pasta and Rolaids? Speaking of Rolaids, there's no change for an upset here because Vinny quickly go-go-goes for his ankle step-over on Jules right arm, hooks in the gogo-plata, cradles Jule's shoulder and not so strangely, there is a very quick, succinct "tap" after a "fight" that is akin to Sominex distributed by way of plasma screen in my theater this evening.
Winner - Vinny by way of Gogo-Armbar
The Savage Science Review Moral: Woof. There is a reason that UFC President Dana White instantly appears and notes that he nearly fell asleep for this episode -- err, I mean fight. While the front end had some moments that were paced well with the conditioning section, the bullshit artistry of Vinny, and even the accidental coaching scenes in this episode, this will be one of those episodes that is never seen in syndication because this fight folks - yawner at best. That's truly too bad, because some of the elements showcased in this episode are very good for the sport of MMA - others surely aren't.
Overall Show Rating: We're giving this fat-on-the-bone episode review of "Ultimate Fighter" (Fall 2008) 2 out of 5 Savage Science Skullies. We're looking for way more than trash-talking from people that shouldn't be or simply don't have the skills to be putting words like they do in their own mouths.
Bottom Savage Science Line: There is much to like in this episode, but the trash-talking sandwich, and the "has it started yet? Do I have time to get a soda pop and a red hot"-vibe of this episode's fight in particular would not be one of the go-to reels in the UFC cabinet. Let's hope more action and attention-getting MMA-goodness prevails next week.
posted by Mike Wilkerson - 2GuysTalking at 11:47 PM
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