TUF Finale Report Card

Top of the Class

Efrain Escudero A++

Efrain Escudero flew under the radar for much of Season 8 of The Ultimate Fighter.  This happened, despite relatively one-sided submission wins in all of his three fights on the show.

While Dana White compared Nover to GSP, it was Escudero who looked stylistically similar to GSP in the Finale, using his wrestling skills and dictating the pace and style of the fight.

He showed the widest variety of skills of any competitor on the show, with superior wrestling, complemented with great ground skills, and enough striking skills to hold his own. His gameplan also proved to be the correct one against a very tough Philippe Nover.

Escudero showed the huge advantage of being able to have top control in the ground game. While Nover was able to use his BJJ black belt skills to remain active from the bottom, Escudero was able to inflict more damage, and controlled position for longer periods of time.

Ryan Bader A+

Bader, like Escuder, came in with the correct gameplan. He knew that he couldn't afford to go to the ground with Magaelhaes, so instead used his wrestling in reverse, and finished with an impressive KO.

While he is still very raw, Bader's athleticism, wrestling, intelligence, and ability to follow a game plan should allow him to have some success in the UFC.

Anthony Johnson A+

After getting poked in the eye by an opponent who throws palm strikes due to bone fragments in his hand, most people wouldn't want to step back in against the same hands that caused the injuries. 

Anthony Johnson did a great job in overcoming his fears and his injury to come back with a highlight reel knockout, and one of the best head kick knockouts ever seen in the UFC.

High Achievers

Junie Browning A

I was thoroughly disgusted with Junie's behavior on the show.  He was a danger to himself and others, and a bad ambassador for MMA. To compound that, he didn't even impress with his fighting ability on the show, as he often looked tentative and flat-footed.

In the finale, Browning appeared to be a different fighter. His strikes were quick, powerful and accurate. His footwork was also quick, and he kept active and moving throughout the fight. 

In fact, his fighting skills resemble those of Kenny Florian, and I mean that as a complement. His execution of Kaplan was one-sided, and will doubtless give him another fight in the octagon.

However, even after his fight, his comments indicate that he may not yet have learned his lesson.  He should realize that his behaviour on the show is completely unacceptible. 

Mike Goldberg was completely wrong when he said that Chris Leben has turned himself around. Since leaving the show, Chris Leben has been involved in two DUI incidents and tested positive for doing steroids.

I have serious doubts about Junie, but given his talent, I hope he turns things around.

Philippe Nover A

Probably the most talented fighter on the show, Nover put on another good performance, out-striking his opponent on the feet, while remaining constantly active on the ground.

His loss shows that being a BJJ blackbelt isn't enough against a good ground fighter with top position, and therefore wrestling and takedown skills are just as importance as striking and jiu-jitsu.

Nover should have used his jab more effectively to set up his combinations. He also should have employed strikes that don't leave him so open for takedowns.  His impatience in setting up power shots probably cost him the fight.

Hopefully in the future, Nover will be able to show improved tactics, wrestling and takedown defence. If he does that, he will be better able to dictate fights, and will be a threat to almost anyone in the lightweight division.

Wilson Gouveia A

Gouveia showed well-rounded skills in his destruction of Jason MacDonald.

Krzystof Sosynski B

Krzystof was able to beat an overmatched opponent. While he appears to be well-rounded, it seems to be the case that he is simply mediocre at everything.  I could be wrong, but I don't expect him to become much more than a gatekeeper.

Elliot Marshall B

Marshall showed good skills in taking out an inferior opponent.

Needs Tutoring

Jason MacDonald C

Jason Macdonald is a tough and well-rounded fighter.  But he is going to need to tighten up his game if he is going to remain relevent in the UFC.

Vinny Magaelhaes C

Vinny Magaelhaes isn't a good enough striker yet to keep fights up on the feet.  This was shown in both his fights with Krzystof, and with Bader. While his BJJ is outstanding, it remains a question as to whether or not he will be able to consistently implement a winning gameplan in the UFC against fighters who largely are able to keep the fight standing most of the time.

He needs to improve both his striking skills, and his takedown skills if he is going to stand a chance.

Shane Nelson, Rolando Delgado, and Tom Lawlor C

These three fighters did enough to win their fights, and probably fight again in the UFC. But do they have enough skills to stay around?

Detention

Kyle Kingsbury, George Roop, John Powlakowski D

These fighters weren't able to win. After their performances, it is clear that they need to refocus, and improve, if they want to continue in the UFC.

Flunked Out

Dave Kaplan, Shane Primm, Jules Brunchez

These fighters were thoroughly overmatched in their fights. Worse, there was never a point in any of their fights where the outcome seemed uncertain, as they were unable to seriously threaten on the feet, or on the ground.

The only way I can see these fighters being used again is if the UFC needs easy stepping stones for up and coming fighters.

By the way, if anyone has a good photo for this article, feel free to add it.