2008 Woodie Awards
Another TUF Night
Danny Acosta
Issue date: 11/14/06 Section: Sports
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The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) season finales have delivered some of the most memorable moments in Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) history. Forrest Griffin, bloodied in a stand-up war of attrition, smiled his way to victory. Stephan Bonnar earned his UFC contract in the same fifteen minute epic. Season four's finale was another memorable night; however, the memories did not come from the finals.
Season four of TUF, The Comeback, placed former UFC fighters on the road to a title shot, a contract, and sponsorship. The night featured welterweights Matt "The Terror" Serra against Chris "Lights Out" Lytle and middleweights Patrick "The Predator" Cote versus Travis Lutter.
Machado jiu-jitsu black belt Travis Lutter only had one thought in his mind throughout the season and throughout this night: submit him. Cote has survived the infamous ground attack of former light heavyweight champion Tito Ortiz and looked to knockout Lutter. In two minutes time, Lutter finished his comeback by finishing Cote with an armbar from an unlikely position.
In preliminary action, Capital City Fighting Alliance's Scott Smith and Serra jiu-jitsu student Pete Sell showcased the pizzaz of their housemate Shonie Carter, who famously stated: "Do you know what P.I.M.P. stands for? It stands for Punching Is My Pleasure!" The fight contained all the elements of a TUF finale experience: all heart and all action.
Rapid, hurtful exchanges between the two fighters led them to high-five and applaud for each other during the first round. They remained standing for the entire first round, where they stringed together leg kicks and punches. As the round ended, they hugged and had a brief chat as if it were the end of the fight. This sportsmanship and friendship developed during the show. The second round brought an once-in-a-lifetime finish.
Sell landed a stunning body punch that sent Smith backwards and to one knee, clutching his damaged ribs. Sell pounced. He attempted to finish the fight, but was blindsided by a vicious right hand that knocked him out. It was the last punch Smith had in his arsenal as he laid across the mat after connecting. The fight was awarded to Smith, but the result resembled a double-knockout.
The solid under card performances made for another memorable TUF finale. Serra and Lutter's fights were not the most impressive, but the completion of their comebacks manifested what makes the sport great. It is the reality of the participants. They are husbands, fathers, and warriors. And as showcased by Smith and Sell, men become warriors in the realm of unpredictability. Men become warriors in the fight world.
Season four of TUF, The Comeback, placed former UFC fighters on the road to a title shot, a contract, and sponsorship. The night featured welterweights Matt "The Terror" Serra against Chris "Lights Out" Lytle and middleweights Patrick "The Predator" Cote versus Travis Lutter.
Machado jiu-jitsu black belt Travis Lutter only had one thought in his mind throughout the season and throughout this night: submit him. Cote has survived the infamous ground attack of former light heavyweight champion Tito Ortiz and looked to knockout Lutter. In two minutes time, Lutter finished his comeback by finishing Cote with an armbar from an unlikely position.
In preliminary action, Capital City Fighting Alliance's Scott Smith and Serra jiu-jitsu student Pete Sell showcased the pizzaz of their housemate Shonie Carter, who famously stated: "Do you know what P.I.M.P. stands for? It stands for Punching Is My Pleasure!" The fight contained all the elements of a TUF finale experience: all heart and all action.
Rapid, hurtful exchanges between the two fighters led them to high-five and applaud for each other during the first round. They remained standing for the entire first round, where they stringed together leg kicks and punches. As the round ended, they hugged and had a brief chat as if it were the end of the fight. This sportsmanship and friendship developed during the show. The second round brought an once-in-a-lifetime finish.
Sell landed a stunning body punch that sent Smith backwards and to one knee, clutching his damaged ribs. Sell pounced. He attempted to finish the fight, but was blindsided by a vicious right hand that knocked him out. It was the last punch Smith had in his arsenal as he laid across the mat after connecting. The fight was awarded to Smith, but the result resembled a double-knockout.
The solid under card performances made for another memorable TUF finale. Serra and Lutter's fights were not the most impressive, but the completion of their comebacks manifested what makes the sport great. It is the reality of the participants. They are husbands, fathers, and warriors. And as showcased by Smith and Sell, men become warriors in the realm of unpredictability. Men become warriors in the fight world.