The competition is really getting down to business this week, as the last preliminary bout will determine the second to last man still in the running to become the season 12 champion. The last man in will be the winner of the “wildcard” bout, which will be revealed in tonight’s episode, in addition to a coaches challenge involving baseball.

What a difference a week makes. After coming into episode 6 riding high off their first team win, Team Koscheck is still stunned by the quick and dominating loss by Sevak Magakian at the hands of Cody McKenzie via guillotine just moments into their bout.

Immediately, the final match up is announced, and with only two guys remaining that have yet to fight, it was a match up that everyone already knew would be going down. The final preliminary bout will be Team GSP fighter Dane Sayers facing off against Team Koscheck’s Sako Chivitchian.

The talk at the house is dominated by speculation as to who the wildcard will be. Everybody has an opinion, and later tonight that man will be revealed.

Dane Sayers is a definite underdog coming into his fight with Sako Chivitchian, but to “Red Horse,” fighting for his Native American heritage is just as important as wins or losses.

“We need people to step up and inspire our youth,” said Sayers. “That’s why I fight, you know, I’m here to represent who I am.”

Back at the training center, Team Koscheck arrives for a training session, and in true Josh Koscheck fashion, The coach of the yellow team, bumps into Team GSP medic Brad Tate, immediately getting a response from Tate.

“Koscheck can’t bait George to talk [expletive] to him, so he’s pushing my buttons,” said Tate. “I’m not afraid of the guy, I don’t give a [expletive]… so period the end… he’s a dick and he knows he is.”

Koscheck continues the insults by questioning why Tate is on the show in the first place, and calls Tate a “male nurse,” and upon getting a response from Tate, continues to turn up the heat.

“Bro, you’re a male nurse, you’re not a fighter, you shouldn’t open your mouth,” said Koscheck. “Because, I’ll choke your ass out, I’ll knock you out, you know?”

Sako Chivitchian fills in the viewers on his judo background, including his national championships, and world class judo status, but admits that being one of the best in the world in judo alone will not be enough to be effective in MMA.

“I knew I couldn’t make too much of a living doing judo,” said Chivitchian. “But, once MMA came along, I knew I had to jump on that boat.”

“That’s why my dream is to be a UFC fighter, and I’m doing, and I been doing everything possible to get there.”

After a rough childhood, a near fatal shooting was all that Chivitchian needed to take a different approach to his life and get serious about pursuing his dream.

The coaches challenge should be interesting. Coach St. Pierre admits that baseball is an American game, but I have a feeling that GSP will be better than he admits, and as competitive as Koscheck is, this could get very interesting.

After the commercial break, UFC president Dana White explains the challenge, and what’s at stake, namely $10,000 cash, all while wearing one of the nicest shirts of the year, “The Korean Zombie” shirt.

After a decent start for Koscheck, GSP looks more like a ballet dancer than a baseball player, swinging wildly while spinning faster than Michael Jackson.

After the first round, the score is 7-3 Koscheck, and it does not look good for Team GSP. No sooner than it looks like GSP is out of it, the coach starts connecting with nearly every pitch, even going yard a couple of times.

After the second round, Koscheck still leads 16-10. The third round would prove to be Koscheck’s, as he connected and put Coach GSP away 34-10. The money goes to Team Koscheck, but St. Pierre quickly puts the challenge into perspective.

“In the baseball court, he was better than me, but in the Octagon I will prevail,” said St. Pierre.

It is time for the final preliminary bout to go down.

Round 1 – Dane throws first with a kick, and immediately, Sako shoots. Dane goes for a guillotine, but Sako works free and has Dane against the cage looking to posture and punish. Dane uses the cage to get to his feet and he is up.

Sako still controlling the clinch with Dane’s back against the cage. Sako lands an elbow from the clinch, while Coach GSP yells for wrist control, and calls for Dane to circle out. Dane is out and they separate.

Sako goes to the clinch again, but Dane circles out and both guys take the center of the Octagon. Dane lands a nice right hand after scoring with his jab.

Sako comes forward with a left hand then immediately clinches. Dane works and gets double unders and a body lock, then lands a nice knee to the body. Another knee from Dane, then Sako turns and puts him into the cage.

Sako looking for the trip take down but Dane fights it off and then turns and puts Sako on the cage. GSP is calling for knees to the body. Dane steps away and retreats.

Good kick from Dane, but he eats a right hand. Sako is stalking now. Sako throws a right hand, and Dane changes levels and shoots for a take down. He doesn’t get it, and the bell sounds on Round 1. Very close round.

Round 2 – Dane comes forward with a right hand, then lands a flush left hand to the jaw of Sako. Sako clinches and uses his judo to get a nice throw. Dane scrambles and is up but eats a right hand as he backs out. Sako coming forward now, and lands a nice 3 punch combo.

Dane looks for the take down but ends up on his back with Sako in his half guard. Sako is landing right hands from the top now. Dane is flat on his back now as his corner yells for him to get off of his back. Sako looking to pass, but so far Dane is maintaining half guard.

The referee is calling for the fighters to advance position, and as Sako postures to throw a big shot, Dane hip escapes out and gets to his feet. Dane clinches then steps away as Sako scores with a big right hand.

Back to the clinch with Sako putting Dane on the cage. Dane is fighting for under hooks but still has his back on the cage. Sako goes for the trip again, but Dane defends but is behind in the round so far with just over 2 minutes to go.

Dane gets double under hooks again, and reverses positions, putting Sako on the cage. Dane looks for the take down, but Sako grabs the cage, and gets a warning. Dane still fighting for the take down, and Sako uses the whizzer and tries for a throw.

Dane defends and is still on his feet but again has his back against the cage. This one might go three if the first round goes to Dane. Sako scores with knees to the thighs of Dane. Sako again gets warned for grabbing the fence with just under 10 seconds to go. That round definitely goes to Sako.

There will not be a third round, as Sako Chivitchian is awarded the unanimous decision victory and advances.

Despite the loss, Coach GSP, UFC president Dana White, and even Coach Koscheck give praise to Sayers.

“We all underestimated Dane, because we thought he wasn’t very good,” said Koscheck. “Man, he showed up and he fought his butt off, and took it to a decision.”

Dana White and both coaches meet to discuss the wildcard situation. White explains to both that it is not about who from each team deserves a shot, but that he wants the two best guys to face off for a chance to continue in the competition.

After much discussion, Dana White announces that the wildcard match up will be between Aaron Wilkinson and Marc Stevens.

Next week, the wildcard bout will go down, and the conflict between Koscheck and Team GSP medic Brad Tate, escalates into violence. Should be very interesting! Stay tuned here at ProMMAnow.com for all of the latest TUF 12 coverage, news and notes.

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