Dave Mandel/Sherdog.com
Nick Ring, the undefeated Canadian regarded as a favorite to take this season’s “Ultimate Fighter” middleweight tournament, took one controversial step closer on this week’s episode, getting a majority decision nod over Court McGee in an outcome that sent McGee’s coach Chuck Liddell into a tailspin.
Ring (10-0) found consistent success with leg kicks throughout the bout, though McGee (9-1) made him pay several times with short punches when Ring tried to close the distance, sprinkling in a few takedowns. Both sides seemed convinced their man had locked up both rounds, or that a third and deciding round was forthcoming.
The score cards were 20-18 for Ring (Adelaide Byrd), 19-19 (Patricia Morse Jarman) and 20-18 for Ring (Tony Weeks). Liddell began pacing feverishly and whipped a water bottle after the decision was announced, even eyeballing Dana White with what the company president called a “mad-dog” face. White had made an offhanded comment about not leaving it to the judges, a mantra stenciled above the entrance to the locker room this season.
Ring’s win narrowed the gap for Team Ortiz, which now has two wins to Team Liddell’s four. Seth Baczynski vs. Joe Henle is the final first-round fight and takes place next week. The “wild card” entrant, a fighter who has lost but impressed enough to get a second shot, will be announced next week.
This week’s episode also saw this season’s coaches challenge, as the team engaged in dodgeball. Team Liddell won every game, including one game that came down to only Liddell and Ortiz. After catching Ortiz, Liddell did his trademark wings-spread celebration pose, shouting “You remember that?” at his rival. Team Liddell fighters ended up taking home $1,500 each for the win in the form of a check cut as they left the house, Brad Tavares told ESPN’s “MMA Live.”
This week’s episode scored a 1.3 rating and average audience of 1.7 million viewers on Spike TV. Viewership for the current season remains at a healthy level and, among Males 18-34, is outscoring NBA Playoff games.
Coaches for “The Ultimate Fighter 12” were announced this week as welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre and the winner of Saturday’s Josh Koscheck-Paul Daley match. The series will feature lightweight fighters and will premiere in September with a finale in either November or December.