Rampage Defeats Door, Fighters Gas Out Comically on The Ultimate Fighter

Share on Facebook posted 10-29-09 by John George

Last night’s episode of The Ultimate Fighter reality show on Spike featured the best fight of the season, one from which clips have been used to tantalize fans since the series started. But the fight was not between two of the show’s contestants. It was between frustrated coach Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and a defenseless door.

Rampage used kicks, punches, and elbows to take out his frustration on the door after yet another one of his fighters was defeated by a member of “Sugar” Rashad Evans’ team. Rampage’s TKO victory over the door is the only bout his team has won this season.

Breathless Beefcake

Rashad’s fighter, Matt Mitrione, a former National Football League player, earned a decision over Team Rampage’s Scott Junk in one of the most unintentionally entertaining fights of the show’s season. The fight featured two fighters who both gassed halfway through the first round and spent the next seven and a half minutes looking like they were moving in slow motion.

My wife, son, and I all found ourselves laughing out loud at the exhausted fighters, who looked absolutely ridiculous for most of the fight. Despite his fatigue and slow-motion movements, Mitrione clearly deserved the win. He had several inches of reach advantage and used it effectively, landing jabs, hooks, and leg kicks.

Mitrione knocked Junk down three times in the first round, and Junk actually appeared to fall without any help from Mitrione a couple of times when he executed some very bad takedown attempts. Junk had a lot more experience coming into the round, having had nine professional fights to Mitrione’s two, but he certainly didn’t look like a seasoned fighter.

Between rounds, UFC President Dana White was shown clapping and saying that it was a great fight. That was one of the more bizarre statements I’d heard coming from the man, given how silly the fight was. I had to wonder if we were watching the same bout.

Mitrione spent a good portion of the second round trying to stay away from Junk. At one point, Junk managed to take Mitrione down, but was unable to do anything once he found himself in Mitrione’s guard, and the referee stood the two back up.

Mitrione did a good job avoiding Junk’s wide, looping punches and landing jabs now and then — when he found the strength to put up his hands. Mitrione also displayed a pretty good chin. Junk threw much harder punches and managed to connect several times with Mitrione’s chin, but Mitrione didn’t seem fazed at all.

Next stop, The Biggest Loser?

I couldn’t help wondering how the hell these guys could be so out of shape after being in a house for several weeks with nothing to do but exercise. It certainly couldn’t be the scintillating conversation of their fellow fighters that has distracted them from getting their work in. Both men were literally exhausted after three and a half minutes of fighting. I know they’re heavyweights, but good grief, it looked like they had no endurance at all. They are both in serious need of conditioning.

I wasn’t really rooting for either fighter, though Mitrione has definitely turned out to be one of the least likable people on the show. His behavior led him to become disliked by the other fighters in the house, both those on Team Rampage and by his own teammates.

He’s done a number of childish things on the show, including letting Team Rashad’s strategy slip to Team Rampage and telling one fighter that another one was scared to fight him. He also had a suspicious shoulder injury that may have been a cry for attention.

Rashad himself lost his patience with Mitrione and his shenanigans on a couple of occasions, but he once again showed himself to be an honorable individual last night by continuing to back his fighter.

Backyard Brawl for Rashad and Rampage?

With only one fight left before the semifinals, Team Rampage has now had seven straight losses and faces being shut out by Team Rashad. The tensions between the two coaches reached a feverish pitch during last night’s show, and the two men came very close to throwing down.

It really is a shame that Rampage’s choice to become an actor is depriving the world of witnessing what would surely be an emotionally charged UFC matchup. Maybe some of Kimbo’s peeps can organize a backyard brawl between the two? It could be broadcast on YouTube.

2 responses to Rampage Defeats Door, Fighters Gas Out Comically on The Ultimate Fighter

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Scott G.

I found myself in the uncomfortable position of having to route for (the appropriately nicknamed) Meathead Mitrone. Although I would have preferred to see Junk win, I’d much rather see Rampage lose. Conditioning for these guys needs to be a top priority if any of them thinks they are going to make a living in the UFC. Meathead and Junk looked like two drunks outside a bar praying someone would step in and stop it. That being said, they both did land some big shots!

Linda's Cats

I agree with Scott G. Although Meathead is a douche, I’m really focused on Rampage getting shut out. Meathead doesn’t have a shot in hell of winning it all so knocking off another Rampage fighter was what I was looking for. I too cannot understand why the hell these guys are gassing out so quickly. It’s not like they’re cutting weight. And Johnny G, I agree wholeheartedly with the Dana comments, I mean wtf! Yes they were going toe-to-toe, but neither could life their friggin arms! This season is a joke, but I’ll watch next week hoping Big Baby gets knocked the fk out. He seems like a good dude but I wanta Rashad sweep. What happens then? Do they just send Rampage and his entire team home?