The Ultimate Fighter Finale: Team Rampage Vs. Team Forrest


	<SCRIPT language='JavaScript1.1' SRC="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adj/N3245.BoDog/B2561294;abr=!ie;sz=740x125;ord=[timestamp]"> </SCRIPT> <NOSCRIPT> <A HREF="http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/N3245.BoDog/B2561294;abr=!ie4;abr=!ie5;sz=740x125;ord=[timestamp]"><IMG SRC="http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/N3245.BoDog/B2561294;abr=!ie4;abr=!ie5;sz=740x125;ord=[timestamp]" BORDER=0 WIDTH=740 HEIGHT=125 ALT="Click Here!"></A> </NOSCRIPT>

The Ultimate Fighter Finale: Team Rampage Vs. Team Forrest

By Holli Yargo Hearne, Doghouse Boxing (June 10, 2008) Doghouse Boxing

June 21 will decide who in this season’s TUF fighter house will win a UFC contract and the title The Ultimate Fighter. Though the final match-ups among the housemates haven’t been settled, the rest of the finale card has.

The TUF finales are notoriously exciting simply due to the up and comers’ desire to be invited back. This finale is packed even further with a card stacked well enough, it could have been a pay per view.

Evan Tanner Vs. Kendall Grove

Name:
Evan Tanner

Height: 6' 0" (183 cm)
Weight: 185 (84 kg)
Record: 34-8-0

Name:
Kendall Grove

Height: 6' 6" (198 cm)
Weight: 185 (84 kg)
Record: 10-5-0
"Da Spyder"

It would be a mistake to count out either fighter on this main event. Kendall Grove has proven himself a real contender but his kryptonite seems to be his chin. With his last two fights ending in KO, courtesy of Patrick Cote and Jorge Rivera (also TUF alums), his jaw is very questionable. The very experienced Evan Tanner made a disappointing return to the Octagon on March 1 after a two-year hiatus. That fight ended in his own KO thanks to Yushin Okami. Grove has youth and hunger on his side along with the phenomenal conditioning he acquires training with Team Punishment. Tanner has loads of fights on his record with a majority in the W column, including several titles.

Diego Sanchez Vs. Luigi Fioravanti

Name:
Diego Sanchez

Height: 5' 11" (180 cm)
Weight: 170 (77 kg)
Record: 21-2-0
"Nightmare"

Name:
Luigi Fioravanti

Height: 5' 8" (173 cm)
Weight: 170 (77 kg)
Record: 14-3-0

The first season of The Ultimate Fighter introduced MMA fans to Diego Sanchez, a natural athlete and strong fighter. While nearly half of his UFC wins were by decision, the other half are split between (T)KO and submission, giving proof to his well-rounded skill set. Luigi Fiorvanti, a former Marine, is 3 and 3 in the UFC. While his only significant UFC win is over Luke Cummo, his losses are nothing shameful: Forrest Petz, John Fitch, and Chris Leben. The match up couldn’t be more opposite with Sanchez having the smaller frame of a Jits guy while Fiorvanti is built like a wrestler. Sanchez will most likely try to keep the fight on its feet while Fiorvanti will try to get it to the ground. Sanchez is dangerous either way so Fiorvanti better come prepared to have his hands full.

Spencer Fisher Vs. Jeremy Stephens

Name:
Spencer Fisher

Height: 5' 7" (170 cm)
Weight: 155 (70 kg)
Record: 21-3-0
"The King"

Name:
Jeremy Stephens

Height: 5' 9" (175 cm)
Weight: 155 (70 kg)
Record: 15-2-0
"Lil' Heathen"

Jeremy Stephens has the heart of a lion but has fought few people of consequence so far. Spencer Fisher, on the other hand, has been through war after war with high caliber fighters like Frankie Edgar, Hermes Franca, Sam Stout, and Thiago Alves. Stephens could really make a name for himself if he wins this bout but the scales are tipping in Fisher’s favor.

Josh Burkman Vs. Dustin Hazelett

Name:
Josh Burkman

Height: 5' 10" (178 cm)
Weight: 170 (77 kg)
Record: 20-5-0
"The People's Warrior"

Name:
Dustin Hazelett

Height: 6' 1" (185 cm)
Weight: 170 (77 kg)
Record: 12-5-0

May not be broadcast. Click for details.

Josh Burkman has made a career of fighting top quality opponents, win or lose. Hazelett has only seen a few fights on this level. Looking at Hazelett, one immediately sees visions of Kalib Starnes, only with heart. If a very prepared Burkman shows up, Hazelett will have a really difficult job on his hands.

Marvin Eastman Vs. Drew McFedries

Name:
Marvin Eastman

Height: 5' 9" (175 cm)
Weight: 185 (84 kg)
Record: 15-7-1
"The Beastman"

Name:
Drew McFedries

Height: 6' 0" (183 cm)
Weight: 185 (84 kg)
Record: 6-3-0

May not be broadcast.

Marvin Eastman is easily one of the scariest looking dudes ever. Drew McFedries, in juxtaposition, appears to be very gentle. Make no mistake. Both these fighters are here to win. On face value, Eastman’s UFC record appears pale with one win and three losses. However, take a look at who he’s fought. There’s not a single tomato can in the mix (Win over Terry Martin, losses to Vitor Belfort, Travis Lutter, and Quinton Jackson). McFedries has a 50/50 record in the UFC. This is a well-matched fight with two hungry up and comers.

Jeremy Horn Vs. Dean Lister

Name:
Jeremy Horn

Height: 6' 2" (188 cm)
Weight: 185 (84 kg)
Record: 88-17-5
"Gumby"

Name:
Dean Lister

Height: 6' 1" (185 cm)
Weight: 185 (84 kg)
Record: 10-5-0
"The Boogeyman"

May not be broadcast.

Anyone could say the Horn/Lister fight could have easily been a main event. These two veterans are both well-rounded and tough as nails. Horn has significant wins over Chuck Liddell and Chael Sonnen while Lister’s most significant win is over Alessio Sakara. Horn is a grassroots fighter training in Utah. Lister trains with Team Punishment. Both contenders are expected to have exceptional conditioning. Both are expected to finish this fight. One would almost hope that all the planned televised fights end quickly so this one will make it to TV.

In addition to the listed card, it will be very interesting to see who among the TUF players will be matched up. This is already a full card even without its guests of honor but with the TUF contestants having had to fight their way on the show, it will be no surprise to see them continue to fight their way to stay in the Octagon.