TUF 14 Diary: Episode 6 Recap and Analysis

If you haven’t seen the sixth episode of TUF 14 yet beware of spoilers below. Click here to watch the full episode for free from the official Ultimate Fighter website.

The sixth episode of TUF now in the bag, we are slowly getting closer to the December 3rd finale going down in Las Vegas. Michael Bisping last night showed once again why he is one of the most hated men in Mixed Martial Arts, Diego Brandao instills fear into the featherweights in the house, and John Dodson showcases fantastic well-rounded skills in the Octagon.

TUF 14 – Episode 6:

-Team Miller’s coach Ryan Parsons now knows why Michael Bisping is the most hated fighter in the UFC when he confronts Bisping about his unsportsman-like behavior towards Mayhem in the cage following the last match.

-The first fight is between featherweights Steven Siler and Diego Brandao.

-Diego Brandao defeated Steven Siler via KO (punches) at 0:30 of round 1.

-After Team Miller’s training session, the coaches notice Roland Delorme’s right foot is swollen; thinking its a staph infection, Roland is rushed to the emergency room.

-Before the fighter announcements, Bisping makes a speech about how Team Miller should be “gracious losers” after they lose a fight.

-The bantamweight matchup is announced: John Albert vs. John Dodson.

-The last bantamweight matchup is also announced: TJ Dillasaw vs. Roland Delorme.

-TJ Dillasaw’s teammates thinks he took the coward’s way out by dodging the harder fight with Dodson and taking the easier fight with Delorme, having Albert fight in his place instead; he’s being “thrown to the lions”.

–John Dodson defeated John Albert via unanimous decision at 5:00 of round 2.

-After the last fight, Bisping continues to instigate a reaction out of Miller by insulting him about going back to his show, Bully Beatdown, whereas Mayhem replies “I know one bully.” referring to Bisping.

My two cents:

Michael Bisping last night showed fans exactly why he is one of the most hated men in MMA today. His cockiness, his swagger, his ability to talk trash, and get reactions from opponents is some of the best in the game. Personally, I think he embraces the role as villain and doesn’t care if you hate him or love him. The only thing that matters to business is that you keep him in your conversations and people like me write about him. It keeps him in the loop, helps him stay relevant regardless of victories over arguably subpar competition and losses over the best in the world today.

Diego Brandao scored the exclamation mark victory over Steven Siler, but it didn’t really show much of Diego’s all-round abilities. But featherweights in the house of course had to take note of his signature aggression and power, much like the Brazilian Vale Tudo legends of the past. I’m curious to see him get tested for more than one round, to see him on the ground, to see him in the clinch, and to see his gas tank get pushed to the limit.

John Dodson is arguable the best all-round fighter skillwise in the house. He is a top ten world ranked flyweight according to many major MMA sites and magazines, but is fighting in the house at bantamweight. He is a very athletic and energetic talent and at this moment I can’t think of anyone in the house that could beat him at BW.

So my questions to you Lowkick’ers out there as I finish this piece. If you were a professional Mixed Martial Artist, would you prefer to be loved amongst your peers and fans? Or would you prefer to be hated? Why? What sort of promotional tactics would you use to get the fights you wanted? Who do you think in the house could handle Diego Brandao’s ruthless aggression? Do you stand and bang with him or push him to the later rounds to exploit his gas tank? And finally what does someone need to do to defeat John Dodson? Drop your two cents in the comment box and let’s continue the conversation there.