Episode No. 5 of "The Ultimate Fighter 11" starts with a review if Jamie Yager's episode No. 4 win, the first victory for Team Ortiz. While it's noted that losing fighter Charley Blanchard may have been suffering from a but of an ankle injury that made life difficult, Yager's scrambling ability and powerful right hand are unquestionable.
Back at the house, Yager,
MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) blogger Brad Tavares, Kris McCray and Kyle Noke are busy trying to figure out who might secure the season's two wild-card spots. There have been four losers so, far, but Clayton McKinney's shoulder makes him ineligible for a slot. Blanchard says he's injured, so he's likely out, and Noke thinks that the quick loss Blanchard just suffered probably would have left him out anyway.
Add to that the fact that winner Rich Attonito is out with an injury, and Kyacey Uscola and James Hammortree feel their odds are looking pretty good at a second chance do far. Of course, anything can happen as the season unfolds.
At the gym the next morning, it's fight selection time. It's coach Tito Ortiz's first chance to select a matchup, and UFC president Dana White believes it's time for the "Huntington Beach Bad Boy" to go on a roll. Ortiz selects McCray, who the coach says has asked for the fight, and matches him up with MMAjunkie.com Radio correspondent Josh Bryant.
The staredown shows Ortiz is the much big fighter. Uscola writes him off, but Bryant's teammate, Joe Henle, says it's important not to write him off.
Back at the Team Liddell practice, coach John Hackleman gives his crew a pep talk and lets them know that losses happen, but when 100 percent effort isn't given, that's when regret becomes an issue.
We get to meet Bryant in a video montage. Although written off by many on the opposing team because of his attitude, Bryant said a tumultuous childhood makes him the perfect candidate for a professional cagefighter. Sporting a 10-0 record (11-0 if you count his entry into the house, he says), Bryant says he knows he'll lose at some point, but he wants to make sure he does it in a respectable manner.
Coach Chuck Liddell vouches for the toughness of his fighter, and he believes Team Ortiz is underestimating him. Liddell admits Bryant is an interesting individual, and he's amazed by the jolly manner in which his fighter cut weight.
Meanwhile, McCray also brings an undefeated mark into the cage. "Savage" says he likes to set a torrid pace early and finish his opponents when they break. Ortiz says McCray has been a pace-setter in the gym, and he's appreciative of his fighters' willingness to do work.
On the other hand, McCray's teammate, Uscola, thinks perhaps the workouts are a little too grueling. Uscola says it's simply not possible to put in that much effort in practice and still perform at your top potential during a fight. He also suggest McCray is too inexperienced to realize the toll that's being taken on his body.
Back at the house, McKinney appears to be awakening from a drug-induced stupor. His injured left shoulder – which he had been accused of exaggerating – required surgery, and he went ahead and got the procedure done. His arm in a sling, McKinney asks Hammortree for some assistance urinating. Hammortree politely declines.
The guys weigh-in for the fight, and Liddell apologizes that he has to leave for the day, but Hackleman insists "The Iceman" will still be calling the shots.
Following a Team Ortiz practice, the head coach apologizes to McKinney for disrespecting him and questioning his will. It's an honest moment, but McKinney responds with a middle finger – after Ortiz has walked away, of course. The drama stops there, and it's now fight time.
Bryant's here to prove he belongs. McCray wants to make quick work of his opponent and put $5,000 in the bank.
JOSH BRYANT VS. KRIS MCCRAY
The fighters trade a few shots to start, and McCray flies in with a knee. Bryant avoids much damage and clinches briefly. Neither fighter has an advantage, and Bryant breaks away.
On the restart, McCray lands a few solid punches and finished with a kick to the body. Another knee finds the mark, and the pair moves back into the clinch. McCray tries to drop for a takedown, but he can't elevate. A second effort a trip earns the desired result, and McCray takes mount. Bryant rolls, and McCray takes the back, even as his opponent stands. Bryant tries to slide out the back and nearly leaves an arm in, but he eventually works to his feet.
Both fighters trade uppercuts from a collar tie, though McCray continues to mix in knees. McCray tries again for a takedown, and he eventually gets it to the floor, though only briefly. Bryant continues to scramble free in each situation, though McCray keeps the pressure on consistently.
The action isn't high-paced, but McCray is controlling the majority of it. Bryant spins to top momentarily, but McCray again reverses and lands a right hand to the jaw. The pace continues to slow in the final minute. McCray throws some tired punches to the gut, but both fighters look tired. Bryant looks for a single in the closing seconds, but it's obvious McCray has taken the round.
As round two opens, it's obvious McCray has a bit less pep in his step. Nevertheless, Bryant has yet to really open up. A jab changes that, and right hand follows. Bryant lands an uppercut in the clinch, then a knee. McCray looks stunned by the blows, though he answers with a kick to the gut.
The two clinch, and Bryant lands a left that knocks McCray's mouthpiece out, then another stiff hook. Hackleman goes crazy in the corner yelling for more. McCray does answer with a nice knee in the clinch, but Bryant takes him down and works to the back. McCray on his knees, and Bryant grabs a crucifix. He rolls to the side, and the pair return to their feet.
Bryant again lands a solid shot with his hands then moves to the clinch. From there, he elevates McCray and slams him to the floor. Both fighters tiring on the floor, but Bryant working more. McCray digs deep and drags Bryant down and sets up in his guard.
McCray throws a few punches to the body and head on the ground, but there's not a ton of zip on the shots. Bryant works an open guard underneath, and he looks for an armbar with seconds left. His legs slip off, and the round comes to an end. It appears the fight is destined for a third round, though Hackleman seems to think Bryant may have won.
McCray collapses in his corner, while Hackleman keeps Bryant moving. NSAC executive director Keith Kizer quickly signals that the two will indeed head to sudden victory.
As the third opens, McCray looks exhausted. Still, he does press forward ad engage a clinch. Bryant spins off and pushes his opponent into the cage before dropping for a single leg takedown. McCray locks in a kimura grip briefly to defend, but Bryant eventually works him to his knees.
McCray pops back to his feet, but Bryant lands a few uppercuts inside. Bryant again looks for a takedown, but both fighters push to a stalemate. There's very little action at the halfway point of the frame. Both fighters look tired, though Bryant sneaks in an occasional punch to score points.
Referee Herb Dean call for a restart with a little more than a minute, and Bryant again lands a few heavy punches the stun McCray. The fight moves into a clinch and onto the floor, and Bryant is in top position. He look for a rear-naked choke with just seconds remaining. It appears tight, but McCray fights until the final bell. Nevertheless, the result seems apparent.
The scores are read, and Bryant is awarded the unanimous decision.
- Josh Bryant def. Kris McCray via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
McCray collapses on the floor after the decision is read. Tavares and McCray help him to the locker room, and Ortiz is beside himself at the results. Ortiz credits Liddell's success to a lucky "rabbit's foot up his ass."
Team Liddell is now 4-1, and they once again have control over the matchups.
Catch new episodes of "The Ultimate Fighter: Team Liddell vs. Team Ortiz" every Wednesday at 10 p.m. ET/PT on Spike TV. MMAjunkie.com will recap each episode of the reality series, and full series coverage can be found on "The Ultimate Fighter 11" page.