TUF Team Rampage vs Team Griffin Episode 5 Recap

Team Griffin is shown hard at work, with one fighter, Matt Brown in particular, being showcased. The antics continued back in the house, and Jeremy May decides to put lime juice in Matt Brown's dip. Considering that they have only been together for a short time, and very limited bonds have been made, that was all Matt needed to lose his temper...in a quiet controlled manner. Matt called out Jeremy, and made it seem like they would be fighting next.

However, at the weigh-in's, it was a different story as Forrest Griffin announced Brandon Sene to fight Dante for the 3rd preliminary round.

Brandon Sene is a former marine sniper who is looking forward to making his mark. He apparently has strong wrestling ability, and a size advantage over Dante. He's looking to apply his superior striking skills, or win via ground and pound.

Dante Rivera had an attitude from day one of this show, thinking he was better than everyone else, and now is his time to prove it. According to Forrest, "Danta has some pretty slick submissions", and believes his Jiu-Jitsu is better than Brandon's.

Tale of the Tape

Brandon Sene              Name            Dante Rivera

        26                       Age                  33

       6'1''                    Height                6'0''

       73,5''                  Reach                 69,5"

        2-0                   Record                10-2

Round 1:

Steve Mazzagatti is the referee. Dante is the early aggressor, landing a few punches, then taking Brandon to the fence. Brandon gives him some impressive hammer-fist to the face, but Dante uses his under-hooks to get the take down and side control. Dante is patient, tries to trap the arm, but allows Brandon to get back on his feet.

They stand up, and Dante again takes Brandon to the fence. This time Brandon is able to get the reversal, and he is very active with knees to Dante's thighs. Dante is very focused on the take down and is strictly working for position, with little apparent offense. Due to little activity, Steve Mazzagatti makes them start in the middle of the Octagon.

Not a lot happens as Dante again just takes Brandon to the fence. But this time, Dante picks up the bigger fighter and slams him to the mat. Dante looks like he is finished feeling out his opponent and is now ready to attack. He avoids several up kicks to go into Brandon's guard...but then just seems to go to sleep. That being said, he is soon woken up by a couple of vicious elbows. Seemingly out of nowhere, Dante goes for the ankle look, but Brandon is able to pull his leg out in time.

10-9 Dante. While Brandon was more active of the two fighters, Dante had the best two opportunities to end the fight.

Round 2:

Both fighters circle, as they again fall into the same routine; Dante takes Brandon to the fence, and Brandon stays active with knees and punches. Dante just seems to absorb punishment and wait for the right moment to attempt a take down, which he does to Brandon. Dante is very slowly trying to move out of Brandon's half guard. After some exchanges, Brandon is able to stand back up, where he is again taken to the fence, and eventually gets taken down again. Rampage has started his "get up" chants again, but Brandon seems unable to. He is actively throwing punches, and then pulls a reversal into side control out of nowhere! With 45 seconds left, Brandon is trying to hurt Dante with punches and elbows, but Dante is not allowing his arms much room.

10-9 Brandon, Brandon just did enough to win it on my scorecard.

Round 3:

Dante does not look like he wants to go a 3rd round, but Steve calls for the fighters to get ready. Very weak exchanges by both fighters, but now Dante seems to be slightly more aggressive in his knee strikes from standing position. Again, he takes Brandon to the fence, and again Brandon is more aggressive with strikes, but he is slowing down. Dante goes for an overhand right out of desperation, which is blocked, but then again takes Brandon to the fence. He is able to get a take down, but I'm not sure how much that took out of him. He's in Brandon's guard, but seems content to just try and throw punches, knowing he is in the lead by getting the take down. Brandon keeps throwing vicious elbows to the top and side of Dante's head. Dante stands up, but then gets a face full of foot as Brandon lands a glancing up kick. Somehow, Dante comes back down into side control and looks like he is either looking to get an arm bar, or trap his arm. Brandon is defending well, but can't get up. It's over, as Dante smothered his way into winning the 3rd round.

10-9 Dante. I had Dante as the 29-28 winner and the judges agree.

Thank God I was not a judge, because Rampage would have kicked my ass. Rampage and Dana White felt that Brandon was the better fighter because he inflicted the most damage, but to my knowledge, you have to also count ring control and legit attempts and opportunities to end the fight. I felt that Dante had the ring control, and 2 out of 3 round had the best opportunities to end the fight. Sorry Rampage, but I have to respectfully disagree with you. Forrest Griffin agrees with my philosophy, and not just because he is up 3 to 0 now.