WEEK FOUR OF THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER: JACK BRATCHER’S POST SHOW REPORT

Posted on | April 24, 2008 | 6 Comments

THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER – Week 4

By: Jack Bratcher

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I have been more excited about this Ultimate Fighter than probably any of them because of the new format. I really like the fact that the guys had to win a fight even to get into the house this time so you know at least they have one decent fight behind them. Tonight’s fighters are a young mister smiley who can’t stop grinning, so they call him Chipper. His real name is Matt Riddle.

A guy that can’t stop grinning you know hasn’t experienced alot of life. Chipper is 22 years old. His opponent is Tim Credeur who is 30 years old. Not only is he older, but he’s been fighting for years. This is a huge deal for him. It’s the culmination of years of dreams. He’s had 15 professional fights whereas Chipper has had one. For the younger guy, the show seems like it could be maybe just be “some new kicks” for him. I definitely could relate to the older guy, while i’m sure alot of younger people could relate to “Chipper”. When you’re young you think everyone over thirty is an old man with not much left in them. But you better never underestimate desperation and what a desperate man will do and go through to win.

They did a very good gob of building this fight up and letting people identify with each of the fighters. While not even consciously picking one fighter over the other I found myself rooting for Tim because of his age and I just don’t trust people who constantly grin.

The first round was pretty amazing. It went back and forth with each fighter in control at different moments. After the first round, Mr. Chipper wasn’t so chipper. He was no longer smiling. Instead he was busy getting his nose and face bandaged up and trying to get the bleeding to stop. Second round starts and Tim gets a takedown and has he’s elbowing Chipper while pushing him up against the cage. Chipper is eating some bombs but he’s still fighting. He gets back on his feet. Mr. Chipper has had to dig deep now and he gets the take down and is on top even though Rampage has shouted for him to stay standing. Now Chipper has some ground and pound of his own. Tim is still on the bottom trying to win for position. Forrest yells for triangle. Tim tries it but misses; but does recapture position and gets back on top. With just a little time left, Tim goes for an armbar, pulls it out and makes Chipper tap.

What an incredible fight. The whole gym was shouting and very loud the whole fight. Now they’re really going nuts as Tim Credeur gets the victory. This is the best fight i’ve seen in quite some time. Great fight. Great. Rampage tells Chipper that he made the mistake of taking Tim down because he is better at ju-jitsu. Forrest actually told Tim not to go for the armbar but he did and got it. But Forrest tells Tim it’s a good thing he didn’t listen to him. Forrest also told him “sub par performance and you still came away with the money (ten grand) and the win so it’s a good day.” Tim got five grand for the win and five grand for the submission. Rampage was really disappointed.

They show a preview of next week and Rampage is losing control of his anger. He said he’s had a problem with anger in the past and it’s slowly been seeping out. Uh oh. Also Michael Bisping will be making an appearance to help out with Rampage’s team I assume.

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