Wednesday, September 29, 2010
The beginning of the episode we see the start of drama within the house, Bruce Leroy will just not shut up about the fight. He keeps talking about how Lentz underestimated him and the first round and a half were all one sided and he would have liked to be watching the comeback blah blah blah. It’s very interesting to see how dynamics change in that house as fights pass. The fighters that loose stay in the house and the ones that win move on to the next round. However the next round could still be 2 weeks away for them. So for that time, the victor can sometimes walk around gloating, feeling no pressure while the loser knows there is only one option left, the wildcard that they have no control over.
GSP brings in silver medalist in Olympic wrestling Gia Sissaouri to help his guys with training. GSP also asks Dana to pull a favour and get in Mike Tyson to talk to his team and specifically to provide some more motivation for Johnson. It might just be the editing but Koschecks team looks lazy as dirt, taking bathroom breaks, giving up because of being sore, getting up slowly. Koscheck gives them a little pep talk but it doesn't sound very motivating to me.
GSP's team announce the next matchup; Michael the Menace Johnson vs. Aaron Wilkinson. The premiere episode didn't really feature Wilkinson's fight so I'm not sure what to expect from him. Johnson has been trying to get on the show for 2-3 years, He's very calm and focused before his fight. To display the focus Koschecks team had, they pull up super close on either side of GSPs car so he can't open the doors to get in. Called himself a "peckerhead" couldn't have put it better myself. I was expecting to see GSP pick up his car with one hand and place it down where he could open the doors properly. Unfortunately that wasn't necessary, he was able to squeak in on the passenger side. Wilkinson feels like he fights to whatever level his opponent brings. Agreed this is a good thing if you're fighting someone good or better than you. But its important to fight 100% to your own ability every time, even when your opponent isn't as talented. Playing competitive sports myself I definitely understand its a lot more difficult to play up when your opponent sucks. But we all know Johnson doesn't suck so I think it will be alright.
Just a little note on accents, GSP kept pronouncing Aaron "Iron" Wilkinson! and They need to use subtitles for the very pale English boy, I thought it was funny
Round 1
Johnson is sticking to the game plan, circling to let right, away from Wilkinson’s strong hand. He gets a big take down in the first minute but doesn't keep it there. By force of habit it looks like he starts circling to the right instead. Lots of leg kicks, a few hard punches and two big take downs. Wilkinson manages a lame takedown against the cage and lands some pretty heavy elbows. I thought Johnson for sure had the round but after that last minute Wilkinson probably sniped it in the end.
Round 2
Mike Tyson cheering your name, that's got to provide motivation for any fighter. He's rooting for Johnson! Johnson definitely listens to his coaches, GSP says knees, he throws knees, GSP says circle right, he circles right, he's definitely a fighter that wants to improve. Wilkinson gets the same takedown against the cage. Throwing the same elbows but this time with three minutes left in the fight. The fighters get back up and Johnson looks very tired. He does manage to step up and finish the round strong.
Round 3
If the judges declare is a draw after the 2nd round it goes to a third. I think Dana must have some sort of say in this, if he wants the third round, he'll say it and he'll get it. If it was a final 2 round fight no third round option I definitely think they would have given it to Wilkinson, he was pushing the pace, trying to get takedowns and the punches he was throwing seemed to be connecting a lot more than Johnson's. But I'm not mad they're going to a third. Johnson just needs to get a little more aggressive. Johnson comes out swinging, looks like the fighter we saw at the premiere, gets Wilkinson to the mat, deals some heavy ground and pound and gets his back to grab the rear naked choke. I think he is lucky he got that third round.
Michael Johnson wins by submission, rear naked choke. GSP's team once again maintains control.
Next Episode
Mike Tyson continues his visit
Koscheck tries to get under GSPs skin again by wearing his tight shorts to their training
Bruce Leroy still doesn't stop talking, looks like he might annoy Sevak to the point of hitting him... out before he even gets to fight?
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