The Ultimate Fighter 16 Episode 9 Recap: The Quaterfinal Bouts are Set

In the opening moments of the this week’s segment, a dejected James Chaney asked to speak with UFC president Dana White about intentionally biting Jon Manley in a desperate attempt to escape a guillotine choke in last week’s episode.  He and White went to a private office and Chaney explained his actions and apologized for them.

“You already know, I got caught in that guillotine and I bit that guy.  I did it on purpose.  I got real desperate.  I wanted to win any way that I possibly could; any way.  I’ll give it to you straight up,” explained Chaney.  “I’m sorry if I embarrassed you and the UFC and everybody else.  I just wanted that win so bad.”

White called Chaney’s actions “despicable” and “horrible,” but ultimately accepted Chaney’s apology.

In the house, like most weeks, Team Nelson’s Julian Lane lost his temper and tried to get a houseguest to fight him.  This week’s victim was Colton Smith, who referred to Lane as “Junie Browning.”  A lot of yelling and posturing later, everyone came to their senses.

Dom Waters and Mike Ricci prepared for their bout.  Waters hoped to keep the fight on the outside while standing and seize opportunities to get the fight to the ground, although he predicted to win in the first round by knockout.  Ricci wanted to use his speed, experience, and superior striking technique to secure victory.

Dom Waters vs. Mike Ricci:

Ricco established his striking early and picked Waters apart in the opening stanza.  He defended Waters’ takedown attempts and controlled the first four minutes of the round.  At one point, he landed a liver that hurt Waters.  Waters recovered and finished the round in dominate position along the cage, but was down one round on the scorecards.

Waters found success in the clinch in the closing minute of the first round and utilized it in the second to take the round.  He closed the distance and pressed Ricci against the cage.  He batter Ricci’s thighs with knees before slamming Ricci to the canvas.  Waters maintained control for the remainder of the round.

It appeared all tied up at the end of two rounds, and the judges agreed.  There would be a “sudden victory” round.

“The judges have finally scored two rounds right,” said Coach Shane Carwin.

Waters quickly secured a takedown early in the final round.  He made a positioning mistake and Ricci reversed the position, gaining top control. Ricci maintained top position, landing elbows and punches for the remainder of the round.

The judges scored the fight correctly for Ricci by unanimous decision.

The coaches met with Dana White to discuss the quarterfinal match-ups. Each fighter was called in and asked who they wanted to face.  In a bit of a shock, Ricci said he wanted to fight fellow Canadian Michael Hill.  The two had become friends on the show.

When Hill was asked who he wanted to fight, he said anyone but “my boy,” Ricci.  Coach Nelson informed him that Ricci asked to fight him and Hill was stunned and angered.

“I think he just started a heated battle between Hill and Ricci just now by throwing Ricci under the bus,” said Carwin.

White gathered the teams to announce the quarterfinal match ups.  The first quarterfinal match is between Bristol Marunde and Neil Magny.  The two are roommates in the house and teammates on Team Carwin.  The second quarterfinal match is Igor Araujo vs. Colton Smith.  The first two announced quarterfinal bouts will be shown on next week’s episode.

The third matchup is between Joey Rivera and Jon Manley.  They two have become friends on the show and are teammates on Team Nelson.  The final quarterfinal bout pits Canadian against Canadian.  Mike Ricci and Michael Hill will face off in what is now a grudge match.