As always, we're here to take you through the action of a major MMA show.  Starting with the Spike TV broadcast I will be here bringing you live results and thoughts on UFC: Ultimate Fighter Finale.

Please participate in the comment thread and share your thoughts on the action as it unfolds.

We do ask that you adhere to our one standard rule.  No discussion in the comments of any undercard fights until after they are shown or the broadcast ends.  We do not want to spoil any fights that may make the air for anyone.

So join us, watch the fights, and share your thoughts.  And don't be afraid to get some discussion going before the show kicks off (just not spoilers).

Finally I ask that you all send out positive energy toward Vegas so that we might see Dave Kaplan pull a Ralphie Parker to Junie Browning's Scut Farkus.

9:00pm Eastern and it is showtime.  First fight up shortly...  Goldie launches the show plugging that you can still donate to the fight for the troops fund and I don't fault them for still pushing it.

A brief clip of Junie is shown before the commercial as he says "I believe I am the main event, the other fighters just don't know it yet."  The kid keeps his schtick up well but seriously I don't dig HOW hard they're pushing him down our throats at this point.  Anyway, his fight is up first...so at least it should be gotten out of the way unless he cries during the fight or something.

Junie Browning vs. Dave Kaplan - Gets us going.  Junie explains that people will stop "judging him on his character and on the way he behaves" which of course is what every man should be raised to believe "It is not the content of your character but rather how well you fight."  Junie comes out to old Eminem...which makes his entrance music about as fresh as his act.   Round 1 - Junie with a low blow to start things off.  He was trying to stay outside while Kaplan stalked but they're getting back into it.  Low kick from Kaplan lands.  Nice combinations now from Junie as he is starting to pick Kaplan apart from outside.  Kaplan has blood around his eye now.  Flying knee lands as do some more shots.  Junie falls looking for a kick and Kaplan looks for a leg lock but Junie gets out.  Junie takes Dave's back now but Dave gets back to his feet.  Four punch combo lands for Junie.  Goldie and Rogan are in LOVE with Junie here.  Kaplan with a solid right hand and he closes distance and gets a takedown. Leg lock attempt again fails and he gives up position.  They stand and Junie with a takedown. Junie takes Dave's back again, the choke is in but Kaplan pulls it out and turns back to top position.  They're back to standing and exchanging shots.  Round 1 ends and both myself and Mike Fagan have the first round 10-9 Browning on our respective cards.  Round 2 -Right hand from Kaplan.  Junie with the shot and takedown.  Junie is trying to pass out of half guard now but no luck so far.  As I type that Junie passes to side control.  Steps over for an armbar and it is locked up.  Kaplan has to tap out and it's all over.  Junie Browning wins by submission (armbar) round 2.  Hope you guys are ready for three years of hearing about how great he is and how much he has turned his life around as Junie runs through low level guys like Kaplan.  We get even more "you can't be upset with him tonight" talk as he "walks the right line" because he apologizes to Frank Mir.  So now we have "proof" that he has turned it all around.

They're talking to Kevin James as he plugs his newest crappy movie...in this one he's a MALL COP!  I can't wait.  I'm so glad that we're not watching fights right now.  Damn am I in a salty mood tonight.

Eliot Marshall vs. Jules Bruchez - Undercard action Round 1 - Big shots from Eliot to get things going, then a big takedown, Jules gives up his back and Eliot starts sinking in the choke.  Finally the elbow goes under the chin and Jules has to tap out.  Eliot Marshall wins by submission (Rear Naked Choke) round 1.

Wilson Gouveia at vs. Jason MacDonald - Time for a fight! Round 1 - Right hand from Gouveia but MacDonald comes in and goes for a single leg and after about thirty seconds is able to finish but Gouveia stands up quickly.  They break and are back in the center and MacDonald eats a right hand and a hard leg kick.  Gouvia lands a few shots and drops MacDonald.  Gouveia follows him down and is landing a barrage of elbows.  MacDonald went down from a left jab it looks like.  The elbows force the stoppage.  Wilson Gouveia wins by TKO (strikes) round 1.  MacDonald got busted up and cut badly but you have to wonder how much cred Gouveia gets when he came in so heavy.

Kevin Burns vs. Anthony Johnson - Protect your eyes AJ...  Round 1 -Low kick from Johnson. Burns with a nice body kick.  Left hand from Burns now. Johnson with a jab now.  Big takedown from Johnson as he ducks under one of Burns' punches.  Big shot from Johnson lands and he passes to side control off of it.  "Upside down triangle" from Burns now but Johnson pulls out.  Burns is staying active on the bottom but Johnson postures up and lands a few punches.  Mario stands the fighters back up.  Right hand by Burns and a right hand returns from Johnson as he catches a Burns kick.  Burns is now on his back eating some kicks to the leg.  Big body kick from Johnson and a solid flurry to end the round.  10-9 Johnson on Brent's card and 10-9 Johnson on the card of Mike Fagan. Round 2 - Great body kick from Johnson early and that is a money strike for him tonight.  Johnson looks for the single leg and gets it.  Burns is looking for the kimura from the half guard now but Johnson is fine.  Elbows from Johnson land solidly.  Burns keeps working a high guard but Johnson has avoided too much danger so far. Johnson now is working body shots to open the head and it's working well.  Some more very big elbows land to the chin of Burns.  This round is much more one sided than the first so far.  Burns tries for an armbar and eats two big hammerfists in return.  Both Brent Brookhouse and Mike Fagan score the round 10-9 Johnson putting the fight on both cards at 20-18 Johnson.  Round 3 - Jab by Johnson was stuff.  Left hand by Johnson lands solid and looked like it hurt Burns and OH MY GOD!  WHAT A HIGH KICK!  BURNS IS OUT!  Anthony Johnson wins by KO (head kick) round 3.  Johnson with a beautiful KO!

Ryan Bader vs. Vinicius Magalhaes - Round 1 -Low kick from Bader and Vinny is trying to bait him into getting close.  Right hands land for both guys.  Bader is working the leg kicks here. Right hand lands solid for Bader now.  Vinny looks like his mouth is already open.  Bader slips on a kick but gets up before Vinny can get on him.  Right hand lands for Bader and Vinny is down.  He covers up and takes a few more shots before the fight is stopped!  Ryan Bader wins by TKO (punches) round 1.  The punch that started it wasn't too solid as it glanced behind Vinny's ear, but the hammerfists once he was on the ground were the shots that sealed the deal.

Krzysztof Soszynski vs. Shane Primm - Round 1 - Left hand lands for Krzysztof and Primm gets a takedown.  Shane isn't trying to do anything at all here and he lets Soszynski up.  KS gets distance now and takes advantage of Primm's fairly crappy stand-up.  Now they're back on the ground with KS on top but he bacs off so they go back to standing.  Primm fights through more uppercuts but he looks gassed and also looks just awful when they're standing.  Failed shot attempt from Primm and now KS is in side control.  KS looks for an armlock but Primm defends well enough that Krzysztof has to give it up.  10-9 Krzysztof on the BE scorecard.  Round 2 -High kick from Primm is blocked and Krzysztof lands some more punches.  They're tied up and neither guy is doing much.  But now as they separate KS lands a right hand.  Primm is really trying his ass off here but he is getting slowly picked apart.  They're on the ground.  Krzysztof grabs a kimura and this time is able to finish it off.  Primm taps out and looks hurt.  Krzysztof Soszynski wins by submission (kimura) round 2.

Phillipe Nover vs. Efrain Escudero - This should be fun...don't sleep on Efrain here. Round 1 - Nover is throwing kicks early and Escudero answers with one of his own.  Right hand by Phillipe but Efrain gets a takedown.  Efrain puts him in the cage and as they stand up Efrain hurts him with a couple punches, Phillipe goes for the takedown and Efrain ends up on his back.  Turns into full mount, Phillipe tries to get guard and eats some big shots.  Efrain fell directly into a triangle attempt but they're back to standing now.  Takedown for Efrain again.  Back to standing again they go.  Efrain with the takedown and then a big shot follows.  He is DOMINATING the round.  Back to standing they go yet again.  Mike Fagan scores the round 10-9 Efrain as does Brent Brookhouse.  Round 2 - Nover comes out swinging but Efrain just ducks under and gets a takedown right insto side control.  Efrain is standing over Nover now throwing kicks to the leg and Nover finally stands up.  Nover has double underhooks but hasn't been able to do anything with it yet.  Efrain lands a right as they separate.  Leg kicks are landing for Escudero now and he ducks under the strikes again looking for a single.  Takedown for Efrain and he is in half guard.  He's grinding away with punches and staying safely on top.  They stand, Nover lands a body kick but Efrain answers with a big slam as time expires.  10-9 round on both Mike and Brent's scorecards.  Round 3 - Nover throwing kicks again and he lands a nice hook but Efrain just pushes forward and gets a takedown.  They go back to standing and Nover has to do something here.  Two jabs land for Nover now.  Kick lands for Nover but again he pays for it with a takedown by Escudero.  Nover is looking for an omoplata now and is elbowing Efrain's shoulder.  One minute left and it's all coming down to if this submission gets finished or not.  Nover almost has it but Efrain escapes.  10-9 Nover on Brent and Mike's cards.  Both unofficial BloodyElbow scorecards have the fight 29-28 for Efrain Escudero.  Official Scorecards: 29-28, 29-28, 29-28 all for Efrain Escudero.  Efrain Escudero wins by unanimous decision.  Why didn't I stick with my gut here.  I talked a lot about how Escudero is getting overlooked and slept on...but still picked Nover.  Ah regrets...

Luke is busy dealing with the radio show today and real life got in the way of him getting picks in for tonight's show.  The rest of us are here to pick up the slack though.

MAIN CARD:

Phillipe Nover vs. Efrain Escudero



Kid Nate: I'm going to have to buy the hype on Nover here. He was very impressive in all his fights on the show. Nover by KO.

Brent Brookhouse:  I really think people are shorting Efrain here, we're heaving the finale talked about like it's the Nover Show.  I do like Phillipe to win here but I wouldn't be shocked for even half a second were Efrain were to take the win here.  That being said I have to go with what makes the most sense to me and that is Phillipe Nover by decision.

Mike Rome:  I'm taking Nover, though Efrain is a live dog.  I hate picking these kind of fights since it's hard to know much about either guy, but I think Nover is just more skilled.  Nover via TKO.

Nick Thomas: Nover, the next GSPderson Silva. Can't wait to see this fight. Would love an upset... but I'm going with Nover by vicious TKO.

Mike Fagan: It's hard to pick against Phillipe here based on the hype and what we saw from in on the show.  A lot of the arguments I hear for Efrain revolve around getting a full training camp and training professionally for the first time.  Thing is, Phillipe gets those advantages too.  This could very well end up as the best finale fight since Griffin/Bonnar.  Phillipe Nover by decision.

Cannon Jacques:  In my opinion, Nover is the best fighter from the entire TUF 8 season.  He's extremely well-rounded, but Escudero is a really solid wrestler.  It won't be particularly easy although I believe Nover's overall game will be too much.  Nover by TKO, round 3.


Ryan Bader vs. Vinicius Magalhaes



Kid Nate: In the rock/paper/scissors world of one-dimensional MMA fighters, guys with outstanding wrestling and little else have a big edge over guys with outstanding jiu jitsu and little else -- they can choose to keep the fight standing. If Bader has the discipline to win ugly (see Sonnen, Chael) he should be able to outpint Vinny. But being inexperienced, I predict he'll lose his head, take the fight to the ground and regret it. Magalhaes by submission.

Brent Brookhouse:  While the advantage belongs to Vinny on the ground I think Bader is a good enough wrestler who HAS to be working to maintain position and not give up any submissions that he can survive there.  That being said there is no reason for him to bother going to the ground at all, Vinny's stand-up looks pretty bad and the real reason that he beat Krzysztof is that he was given the gift of a pointless clinch where he could pull guard.  Bader by decision.

Mike Rome:  Vinny will submit him as soon as Bader's instincs take over and this hits the ground.  Bader has terrible standup too.  Vinny via submission.

Nick Thomas: Bader is going to try to keep this standing as long as he can. I give it a round or two, then Magalhaes by submission.

Mike Fagan: It's imperative for Ryan Bader to keep this on the feet because I think it's elementary once this fight hits the ground.  Even standing, I'm not sure how it goes because I don't think either is particularly polished on their feet.  Vinny impressed me with the win over Krzysztof, and I'll take him here too.  Vinicius Magalhaes by submission, round 2.

Cannon Jacques:  Bader's skill lies in his wrestling.  However, he should want to stay off the ground since Magalhaes is a world class BJJ player.  With that said, I don't believe Bader's game is to the point where he's entirely comfortable abandoning his bread and butter to avoid a dangerous ground fighter like Magalhaes.  It won't take long once it gets to the ground.  Magalhaes via submission, round 2.


Kevin Burns vs. Anthony Johnson



Kid Nate: I was surprised that Burns was able to hang with Johnson's power in the first fight. Sure the eyepoking was BS, but I didn't expect him to survive long enough for that to matter. Burns' awkward stand up seemed to really throw Johnson off. All the same, Johnson should be able to get the nod as long as he's not getting poked in the eye. Johnson by decision.

Brent Brookhouse:  Johnson by blowout here.  Burns fought over his head last fight and it doesn't hurt that Johnson was battling blurry vision for the majority of the fight.  Johnson by TKO, round 1.

Mike Rome:  I think Johnson comes out with a lot of firepower and very little gas tank.  Burns was able to survive just fine, I think he will weather the storm and beat Johnson late.  Kevin Burns via submission.

Nick Thomas: It's redemption time. I'm hoping for a Johnson KO, but Johnson by decision is more likely.

Mike Fagan: I bet on Burns in their first fight, and I regretted that decision two minutes into the fight. Burns claims that his left hand is healed so he can throw more strikes, but I'm not sure how it's going to help him.  Anthony Johnson by TKO, round 3.

Cannon Jacques:  Johnson is an extremely powerful, dangerous striker.  Just ask Tommy Speer.  He'll avenge his controversial loss to Burns.  Johnson by TKO, round 1.


Wilson Gouveia at vs. Jason MacDonald



Kid Nate: I think Gouveia is going to be too physical for MacDonald. The leg kicks should batter him and I don't see MacDonald getting it to the ground. Gouveia by decision.

Brent Brookhouse:  Something about this fight screams "ugly" to me.  MacDonald can probably win this if he is careful enough.  MacDonald by decision.

Mike Rome:  This is a pretty uninspiring fight.  Gouveia has more skills, but I expect Macdonald to grind out the decision.  Macdonald via decision.

Nick Thomas: I got burned by Goulet, but I just can't predict against fellow Canucks. MacDonald by decision.

Mike Fagan: Battle of two guys that have hit their ceiling, in my opinion. Even in his losses, I think MacDonald has looked good over the past few years while also racking up a few solid wins.  He looked as good as anyone has against Demian Maia in the UFC. Jason MacDonald by decision.

Cannon Jacques:  This is a difficult one to pick.  MacDonald's ability to hang in there with Maia for two and a half rounds before being submitted impressed me, albeit in a losing effort.  I can't see either guy catching the other in a submission or finishing with strikes.  I believe this will be a close fight.  MacDonald by decision.


Junie Browning vs. Dave Kaplan



Kid Nate: I really don't like seeing Browning gettng TV time. He's got a power edge over Kaplan but I'm hoping the gods of karma will let Kaplan fight as well as he thinks he can rather than at the underwhelming level we saw on the show. Kaplan by decision.

Brent Brookhouse: Look, Junie couldn't handle the pressure of having to live in a house with other dudes...or the pressure of fighting without a crowd...or the pressure of WATCHING other guys fight.  He is the better fighter but he is mentally weak and I don't think he is going to respond well to the pressure of the big stage...at least I hope he doesn't.  Kaplan by decision.

Mike Rome:  I think Kaplan is not so good and Junie is getting good training at Xtreme Couture.  I expect a first round KO and the beginning of an annoying Junie hype train.  Browning by KO, round 1.

Nick Thomas: I'm sure Browning is coming in with a solid gameplan working with Xtreme Couture. Browning by TKO. But Kaplan can't get knocked out?!

Mike Fagan: I may end up boycotting this fight, but we'll see.  Junie has a -400 tag on him at the books, and I'm not sure if that's a result of all the attention he's received or training at Xtreme Couture or Nover destroying Kaplan or what.  What he brought on the show doesn't really warrant that kind of chalk. Even though Junie seems to have his head on a little better post-show, I'm not sold on his UFC anxiety going away and I'll take Dave Kaplan, by decision.

Cannon Jacques:  Although Browning is a walking time bomb and really hasn't shown himself to be deserving of the attention he's received, the guy is a talented fighter.  Provided that he doesn't implode and somewhat sticks to a decent gameplan, I like his chances against Kaplan.  Browning by submission, round 3.

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THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER 8: JUMPING THE SHARK

"I think in the future that shows people that get on the show that as long as they act like a moron and an idiot, they get to have time." - TUF 8 Coach Frank MIr, reflecting on the season that was.  (Winnipeg Free Press)

"I understand that's part of the whole game but as far as me as a martial artist, I find it an insult." - Mir, on the behavior of bad boy Junie Browning and its effects on the MMA landscape.

"This is the exact opposite of what you want to strive for and be as a man." - Mir, the explanation he gave his 16 year old son after refusing to allow him to watch the last two episodes.

"Who's Frank Mir?" - Junie Browning, doing his thang.

"I think he's just trying to justify the fact he was a horrible coach." - Browning, on Mir.

"I don't own a business that makes millions of dollars, so that's probably why I don't make those decisions." - Mir

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Neil Davidson of the Canadian Press has an article out which examines Junie Browning's notorious behavior on The Ultimate Fighter 8.  The piece contains several quotes from participants in this most recent iteration of the reality show.  One notable quote is via Krzysztof Soszynski:

"To be honest with you, he did everything for show," he said in an interview. "It was a whole joke to him. Basically he told me the very first day we met - and before our fights to get into the house - he basically said 'If I get into this house, I'm going to be the crazy guy. I'm going to get out of hand, I'm going to get out of control, I'm going to pull whatever I can just to get ratings, to become the character that I want to become.'

"He said he was going to become the worst Chris Leben ever," added Soszynski, referring to the Season 1 bad boy.

Frankly, I hesitated to even post this material, because I don't feel that Browning deserves another minute of attention.  However, this situation illustrates how unreal reality television can become.  Someone always figures out that engaging in  shocking antics equals more air time.  Those running the show in question could easily break this pattern, but these people generally aren't willing to risk ratings.  Unfortunately, good ratings seem to trump good taste more often than not.  One could always shoot for both, but that might take too much mind-bending effort.

Zuffa has accomplished much in the realm of MMA and sports on the whole.  It's my feeling that the UFC should produce a show that's more representative of what the promotion and the sport of MMA are all about.  Currently, The Ultimate Fighter falls well short of that objective.  It's less reality and more joke.

HT:  Steve Cofield

Photo via Combat Lifestyle

He's not the only one who did this, but his discipline and success are a testatment to his character:

He had to survive a zany season in the house in which much of the focus was on Junie Browning’s drinking and wild antics.

Some of the, ahem, highlights of Season 8 included Tom Lawlor urinating in his fruit to pay back those who were eating it before he had a chance to; and Dave Kaplan, a lightweight, begging Lawlor, a light heavyweight, to punch him on the chin to prove he couldn’t be knocked out. Lawlor obliged by putting Kaplan to sleep with a right on the chin while the two were in the bathroom.

It’s the kind of lowbrow entertainment that turns many off and takes the spotlight away from gifted fighters such as Nover.

“It turned out to be more of a frat house,” Nover said. “It turned out to be a bunch of dudes who were like college dudes living in a house together. I blended in and, thankfully, I didn’t get into any of the conflicts or anything like that. It was a messy house, but I just separated myself from the scene.

“I didn’t really need the spotlight from that kind of stuff. When there was negativity going around, I usually wasn’t there. I went to sleep early and I woke up early and I was lucky to miss a lot of the nonsense. I was there to train and fight and take notes from these world champions who were teaching us.”

True talent doesn't need the buffoonery and shamelessness of reality television to achieve. Nover understands that and himself, and deserves the highest praise for acting like a driven, professional adult in the primate house maelstrom that is the The Ultimate Fighter house.

"I think The Ultimate Fighter made me look a little nicer than I was," Browning said. "I was pretty happy about that. I did other stuff like that that they didn't show -- the usual, me acting like a prick."

"I'm broke, completely," Browning said. "It sucks, but I'm training. If I win I'll keep on fighting full-time, but you can't live broke forever. I'm eating beans and bologna."

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