Extra points
'Ultimate Fighter' doesn't disappoint
John Pfortmiller
Issue date: 10/26/09 Section: Sports
In the latest episode of "The Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights," teams Rashad and Rampage saw one of the roughest pre-fight training sessions this season.
The rough patch for Team Rampage came in the form of embarrassment and teasing for their fighter of the week, Zak Jensen. Jensen passed out during a training session and was continually teased by his own teammates.
Team Rashad did not contribute to the teasing sessions, and Jensen's own teammates took bets on when he would break down.
In a similar, yet different fashion, Team Rampage and their coach Quinton "Rampage" Jackson teased Team Rashad's fighter of the week Darrill Schoonover relentlessly.
This led to confrontations between the two coaches, but Rashad could not convince Jackson to ease up on the teasing of Schoonover, particularly his nickname for Schoonover, "Titties."
Jackson's comments to Schoonover did nothing more than reaffirm his position as the show's jerk. He was picking on someone who is trying hard to overcome and achieve.
Well, Jackson's comments did not do much for his team and Jensen's fight, either. It fueled Jensen's overconfidence that helped him lose to Schoonover.
The highlight fight of the episode was absolutely dominated by Schoonover. Jensen's last bit of advice from Jackson was "You can't lose to him, he has titties!"
The mentality Jensen had going in, between being teased by his teammates and being told Schoonover was a pushover, did not help at all.
He lost his rhythm within the first 15 seconds of the fight and was almost immediately knocked out by Schoonover.
Jensen tried to hang on by taking Schoonover to the ground, but was forced to tap-out to a triangle leg chokehold.
The feelings Team Rampage felt during the loss were overwhelming. They have now had three losses in a row and look like brawlers who are all muscle and no skill.
Team Rashad did not let this hat trick of wins create a cocky attitude.
They did their best to mend relations with Team Rampage. Even the coaches tried to get along for once.
However, all of this seems undone with the previews for next week's episode as Rashad and Rampage look like they are about to kill each other.
The animosity could be fueled even more by Jackson's frustration with his fighters.
So far, the only thing they have done is prove in mixed martial arts fighting, skill is greater than size.
Each of Rashad's fighters have been smaller than Rampage's, but they have managed to win via points, technical knockouts and now submission.
The fights have gravitated toward Team Rashad. Team Rampage needs to step it up and win through more rigorous training, skill and fewer childish pranks and attitudes.
The teasing and pranks do not win the fights, Rampage.
The better fighters do.
jpfortmiller@unews.com
The rough patch for Team Rampage came in the form of embarrassment and teasing for their fighter of the week, Zak Jensen. Jensen passed out during a training session and was continually teased by his own teammates.
Team Rashad did not contribute to the teasing sessions, and Jensen's own teammates took bets on when he would break down.
In a similar, yet different fashion, Team Rampage and their coach Quinton "Rampage" Jackson teased Team Rashad's fighter of the week Darrill Schoonover relentlessly.
This led to confrontations between the two coaches, but Rashad could not convince Jackson to ease up on the teasing of Schoonover, particularly his nickname for Schoonover, "Titties."
Jackson's comments to Schoonover did nothing more than reaffirm his position as the show's jerk. He was picking on someone who is trying hard to overcome and achieve.
Well, Jackson's comments did not do much for his team and Jensen's fight, either. It fueled Jensen's overconfidence that helped him lose to Schoonover.
The highlight fight of the episode was absolutely dominated by Schoonover. Jensen's last bit of advice from Jackson was "You can't lose to him, he has titties!"
The mentality Jensen had going in, between being teased by his teammates and being told Schoonover was a pushover, did not help at all.
He lost his rhythm within the first 15 seconds of the fight and was almost immediately knocked out by Schoonover.
Jensen tried to hang on by taking Schoonover to the ground, but was forced to tap-out to a triangle leg chokehold.
The feelings Team Rampage felt during the loss were overwhelming. They have now had three losses in a row and look like brawlers who are all muscle and no skill.
Team Rashad did not let this hat trick of wins create a cocky attitude.
They did their best to mend relations with Team Rampage. Even the coaches tried to get along for once.
However, all of this seems undone with the previews for next week's episode as Rashad and Rampage look like they are about to kill each other.
The animosity could be fueled even more by Jackson's frustration with his fighters.
So far, the only thing they have done is prove in mixed martial arts fighting, skill is greater than size.
Each of Rashad's fighters have been smaller than Rampage's, but they have managed to win via points, technical knockouts and now submission.
The fights have gravitated toward Team Rashad. Team Rampage needs to step it up and win through more rigorous training, skill and fewer childish pranks and attitudes.
The teasing and pranks do not win the fights, Rampage.
The better fighters do.
jpfortmiller@unews.com
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