The following are results from episode four of The Ultimate Fighter 5 on Spike TV from April 26, 2007. Results are courtesy of the official website of TUF 5, which you can visit at TheUltimateFighter.tv:
Nate Diaz looked unstoppable as he simply outworked Rob Emerson to make it to the TUF5 quarterfinals, but coach Jens Pulver isn’t letting up on his team in the gym, and he takes a particular interest in Wayne Weems, who he feels is behind the rest of the squad in terms of progress. Lil’ Evil acts accordingly and keeps the pressure on Weems, who accepts the `abuse’ in an effort to get better and earn a spot in the finals.
Over in Team Penn’s practice, Gabe Ruediger continues to get the spotlight as he offers to fight Weems, the apparent weakest link on Team Pulver.
“Somebody’s got to do it,” says Ruediger.
This request didn’t sit well with rest of his team, especially Emerson, who calls him out on it back at the house.
Ruediger wouldn’t get his wish though, as it appeared that Brandon Melendez would be next up to the plate for Team Pulver, who received a visit from former UFC welterweight champ Matt Hughes. Unfortunately, Melendez was overweight and it was debatable whether Pulver would let him fight next. But Melendez was able to prove his ability to make weight and he was given the green light.
His opponent? Andy Wang, who despite his ground prowess, was known to throw his gameplan out the window in an attempt to brawl, a fact confirmed by a cornerman in one of his previous fights, Ruediger.
And once Wang was dropped by a quick shot from Melendez, Wang was determined to get some standup payback against the superior striker, and it proved to be a costly mistake. So despite Penn’s exhortations, Wang refused to go for a takedown and the entire two round fight was fought on the feet, with Melendez earning a unanimous decision win. It was an emotional loss for Wang, but Penn, now 0-4 as coach, had little sympathy for his fighter and he just hoped for better luck next week.
DISCUSS THIS NEWS IN THE MMANEWS.COM FORUMS >>
