First Impressions of The Ultimate Fighter Live (Team Cruz vs Team Faber)

Last night the premiere of The Ultimate Fighter Live came on and the world of MMA to a whole new level. This was one of the best nights of fighting that I can remember. They had 16 fights in over a two and half hour span. Some of them went to decision, and some of them didn’t but at the end of the day 16 fighters advanced to the house.

The show is hosted by Jon Anik. Last night during qualifying fights, Cruz, Faber and Dana White were all mic’d up which made the show. It gave us insight to what they were think and which fighters they like.  I think it’s going to fun to watch the coaches pick their fighters live. The season will be 13 weeks long and the conclusion of the Ultimate Fighter will be in June at at The Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas. The coaches are scheduled July 7 at UFC 148 for the UFC Bantamweight Championship.

This year there will be fan interaction as well. Fans get to vote on certain categories so if you’re a fighter it’s going to give you more incentive to have a good fight. Here is what I mean by fan vote.

-Fan vote for best fight of the season earns each fighter $25,000.
-Fan vote for best submission of the season earns the winner $25,000.
-Fan vote for best knock out of the season earns the winner $25,000.

-Any fight ending by submission, knock out, or referee stoppage earns the winner $5,000.

-Joe Proctor defeated Jordan Rinaldi in 2:08 by submission with a guillotine choke.
-Cristiano Marcello defeated Jared Carlsten in 2:43 by submission with a rear naked choke.
-Sam Sicilia defeated Erin Beach in 0:08 by knock out.
-Chris Tickle defeated Austin Lyons in 0:24 by knock out.
-Andy Ogle defeated Brendan Weafer by unanimous decision (10–9, 10–9, 10–9).
-Vinc Pichel defeated Cody Pfister in 3:39 with a rear naked choke.
-John Cofer defeated Mark Glover by unanimous decision (10–9, 10–9, 10–9).
-Chris Saunders defeated Chase Hackett by unanimous decision (10–9, 10–9, 10–9).
-James Vick defeated Dakota Cochrane by split decision (9–10, 10–9, 10–9).
-Michael Chiesa defeated Johnavan Visante in 2:05 by submission with a rear naked choke.
-Mike Rio defeated Ali Maclean in 3:32 by submission with a rear naked choke.
-Justin Lawrence defeated James Krause in 1:25 by technical knock out.
-Daron Cruickshank defeated Drew Dober by unanimous decision (10–9, 10–9, 10–9).
-Jeremy Larsen defeated Jeff Smith by unanimous decision (10–9, 10–9, 10–9).
-Al Iaquinta defeated Jon Tuck by unanimous decision (10–9, 10–9, 10–9). Tuck broke a right toe during the fight.
-Myles Jury defeated Akbarh Arreloa by unanimous decision (10–9, 10–9, 10–9).