After a quick recap of Michael Johnson’s sudden finish of Aaron Wilkinson from Episode 3, Team GSP conducts a team meeting in the locker room with Mike Tyson expounding on his belief that “confidence” is the key being a world champion.
“I thought about my team learning,” said St. Pierre. “But I probably learned just as much as them.”
For Team Koscheck, the grim reality of being down 0-2 is wearing on Coach Koscheck. The training session is intense, but the team seems to be buying into the concept of “mindless training” at this point, and the fighters are itching to get in there and turn the losing streak around.
At the house, Team Koscheck has some words with Michael Johnson and Alex Caceres about respect, after “Bruce Leroy” screamed some expletives during the Johnson fight.
The Alex Caceres incidents are becoming more frequent, and they are clearly irritating multiple people in the house, especially Sevak Magakian who jumps up to confront Caceres after their conversation becomes heated.
At the training center, Coach Koscheck continues to try to get in the head of GSP, calling him a “robot”, but once again, St. Pierre is not biting.
Next up is fight picks, with Coach GSP retaining control of the fight picks, and with his pick, he selects Kyle Watson from team GSP to fight Andy Main from Team Koscheck.
It is off to work for Watson as he prepares for his fight against Mane. Watson believes in game plans, and believes that if he is on top with Mane trying to work from his back, that Mane will get beat up, but admits that nerves are a factor.
“Anybody that tells you that they are not nervous before a fight is definitely lying,” said Watson. “I think everybody gets nervous before a fight.”
Coach Koscheck continues his verbal jabs at St. Pierre talking questioning his manhood for wearing speedos when he fights. St. Pierre once again refuses to play Koscheck’s game, and amazingly has still kept his cool through all of the verbal abuse.
As Mane prepares and trains for his fight with Watson, he readily admits that jiu jitsu is his strength while striking is somewhat of a liability at this point in his career.
Both fighters are on weight as expected, then it is back to work for both teams.
Coach Koscheck brings his team in for a pep talk after their training session and iterates to the team just how important this fight is for the entire team in the competition.
“We are down 2 to 0 to this team,” said Koscheck. “As you can tell, I don’t like that [expletive], I do not like him.”
“I don’t like losing to nobody, especially a french guy.”
Coach GSP believes that the fight itself will not be the issue for Watson, but the mental aspect before the fight will pose more of a threat to his success. St. Pierre stresses to Watson to visualize what will happen in the cage, and even goes as far as simulating the fight to prepare Watson for what he will be feeling. Pretty impressive coaching from GSP for sure.
Fight time!
Round 1 – Main starts with a leg kick, then connects with a counter right hand as Watson throws a punch of his own. Main goes for another kick but gets caught with a nice right hand as he steps in range. Both guys are swinging pretty wildly, but both are connecting with looping shots before the fight moves to a clinch against the cage.
Main is looking for the take down, but Watson spins out but gives up his back in the process. Main jumps on his back and is looking for a rear naked choke as his corner coaches him to be patient.
Watson has good wrist control, but is using a lot of energy with Main on his back while he is still standing. Coach GSP is constantly coaching arm and wrist control, and for Watson to stay relaxed.
Main is riding high, and slides off but is working to isolate Watson’s right arm as he turtles up. Watson slips the arm out and postures up, but nearly gets caught with a nice upkick from Main. Main’s corner is telling him to stand, but he seems to be content on his back.
Watson lands a big right hand, the dives into the guard of Main. One minute to go, and Coach Koscheck is still calling for him to get up and off of his back. Main is going for an arm again, but Watson pulls free and punishes him with a big right hand. Watson grinding short elbows now with just :15 seconds to go. Kyle Watson did enough to win that round with that work from the top.
Round 2 – Main misses upstairs with a kick to start the second frame. Main with the flying knee, and now they are going toe-to-toe with some sloppy, looping punches, before Watson shoots and gets the take down. Coach Koscheck is calling for Main to get off his back again, but Main is still fishing for submissions so far.
Watson advances to side control, forcing Main to move. Main rolls, and Watson goes for the back, then flattens him back out. Watson stands and delivers a right hand, just barely ducking the upkick. Watson back in side control again.
Main rolls, and turtles. Watson takes the back and locks up a body triangle. Main rolls again and is now on his back, with Watson maintaining the figure four and looking for a submission of his own. Watson is looking to finish, and does, forcing the tap from Main.
Kyle Watson advances with a second round submission victory (rear naked choke) over Andy Main.
The win moves Team GSP to 3-0 in the competition, in addition to retaining control of the fight picks.