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[Cat--Smasher]

The Ultimate Fighter: Live Episode No. 2 Recap: Cruz Takes Early Lead | MMAWeekly.com

In the second episode of The Ultimate Fighter: Live, the 16 lightweights who fought their way onto the cast moved into The Ultimate Fighter house, a sprawling Las Vegas mansion.

Coaches Dominick Cruz and Urijah Faber selected their teams. Faber won the coin toss but opted to allow Cruz to choose the first fighter allowing him matchmaking powers to determine the first match-up.

Cruz selected Justin Lawrence as his first pick. Faber decided on Al Laquinta.

Team Cruz consists of Justin Lawrence, Sam Sicilia, Myles Jury, Mike Rio, James Vick, Vinc Pichel, Chris Tickle, and Jeremy Larsen.

Team Faber is made up of Al Iaquinta, Cristiano Marcello, Daron Cruickshank, Joe Proctor, Mike Chiesa, John Cofer, Andy Ogle, and Chris Saunders.

During the first team training session, Team Faber’s Mike Chiesa received news that his father had passed away. Prior to the show, Chiesa’s dad made his son promise if this happened that he would remain on the show and continue to chase his dream of fighting in the UFC. In light of the circumstance, UFC president Dana White allowed Chiesa to fly home and attend his father’s funeral. He returned to Las Vegas the following day.

With team selections in the books, it was time for Faber to pick the first team match-up. Faber chose Daron Cruickshank to take on Team Cruz’s James Vick. Heading into the match-up, Vick was considered the underdog facing lifelong martial artist Cruickshank.

The episode’s taped portion was over and it was time for the live fight.

Cruickshank looked to be the more comfortable fighter. He was setting the pace and dictating the action. Just as he appeared to be finding his range, he dropped down for a takedown and Vick landed a perfectly timed knee, rendering Cruickshank immediately unconscious.

The official time of the knockout came at the 2:16 mark of the opening round.

“Dom (Dominick Cruz) and them were telling me to throw a two, three, and right high kick. I went for the kick and I seen him shoot. I threw it kind of low and it hit him with the knee. It was meant to be a kick, but the knee landed, so it was all good,” said Vick about the knockout win.

With the win, Vick became the first quarterfinalist and Cruz gained matchmaking control.

In deciding next week’s live match-up, Cruz called on his first team pick, JustinLawrence. Cruz didn’t pick Lawrence’s opponent right away. He gave Faber the opportunity to decide who would face Lawrence. Faber was unable to make a choice on the spot, so Cruz decided Lawrence would face Cristiano Marcello.

[drake_411]

Man when Cruz let Faber pick who to fight Justin Lawrence, and Faber asked his team "Who's ready to fight guys" and NO ONE STEPPED UP.. I was embarassed for them. Obviously no one on Faber's team wanted any parts of Lawrence.

[initial_zen]

Originally Posted by drake_411

Man when Cruz let Faber pick who to fight Justin Lawrence, and Faber asked his team "Who's ready to fight guys" and NO ONE STEPPED UP.. I was embarassed for them. Obviously no one on Faber's team wanted any parts of Lawrence.

Yea cruz demoralized their team with that one lol. I was just waiting for a big dog to step up and accept the challenge. It was definitely a bold move.

On a side note, i not really a fan of this live fight deal they got going on.. at least not how they have it now. As it is, it cuts down on the quality and production value, and it seems really awkward at times with no commentators and the interviews at the end lol (the guy actually congratulated the loser..). I also miss the fight recap highlight they usually show at the end of fights, with the coaches and fighters going over what happened.

[MIZjitsZOU]

I am loving this new format. I can't wait to see the fight next week.

That knee was viscious. I did not think Vick would win that fight.

There are going to be some crazy strikes next week from the Lawrence kid. I think he will win it in brutal fashion. I wouldn't have stepped up to fight him either.

[joeodd2]

Man that sucks for Cruickshank. I hope he can come back and fight again. I hate to use the term "Lucky" but I don't think Vick would beat him in a rematch. It was a good shot at the right time, but Cruickshank did more to beat himself than he did to win IMO. I hope Vick gets more comfortable in there and doesn't sit back and wait for opportunities like that to happen again....otherwise he's gonna be the one waking up in the ref's loving arms....

[Y2JUBAE]

I think with the fights from the first show, they already have the most best fights in TUF history lol.

On another note, the first show had fights at 1 round long. I kind like that in that fights are finished in 1 round. I think when fighters know they may have to fight for 15-25 minutes, they pace themselves, wait, wait wait, then come the last round, try and get in as much punches in the last 10 seconds, but most of the time by that time it's too late and the fighters are both tired. I am a fan of 1 round fights lol.