After a quick recap from last week’s action, the guys at the house discuss who might just make it back into the competition from the “wildcard” bracket.  Blanchard and McKinney are out due to injuries, plus Attonito’s spot is still open after his injury despite winning his fight via DQ, so we will have to wait and see who will make it back into the hunt.

ProMMAnow.com blogger Kyacey Uscola believes that Hammortree deserves the “wildcard” spot believes that he may have a shot at getting back into the competition after his controversial DQ last week.

“You just never know.  I think Hammortree definitely deserves to get in the wildcard spot,”  said Uscola.  “Maybe they will advance me in Rich’s spot, who knows,  I’m down for whatever, I’ll fight anybody.”

With Yager’s win, Team Ortiz gains control of the matchmaking, and back at the training center it’s time for the next pick.  Coach Ortiz quickly picks Kris McCray from Team Ortiz, and Josh Bryant from Team Liddell for the next fight.  

The “Happy go lucky” attitude of Bryant, even during weight cutting, makes many of the fighters in the house believe that Bryant is not really the fighting type.  Coach Liddell believes that everyone underestimating the unassuming Bryant will be an advantage for his fighter.

McCray from Team Ortiz on the other hand, is the total opposite of Bryant.  Nicknamed “Savage,” McCray explains to the viewers that  his last three fights have ended in a total of 39 seconds.

“I set a really tough pace to follow, and I like to break guys early,” said McCray.  “When I see them break, I go for the kill.”

After a quick update on Clayton’s injured shoulder, it’s back to the training center for weigh ins, with both guys at 185 pounds.

Once again, Coach Liddell explains that due to prior commitments, he will miss Bryant’s fight this week.

Coach Ortiz, upon finding out that McKinney truly was hurt and just underwent surgery, apologized for the ribbing he gave him in previous episodes.

On the way to the training center, both Bryant and McCray look relaxed and ready for battle.  Coach Liddell calls Bryant via cell phone to apologize for missing the fight and tells him to kick some ass.

Round 1 –  Both guys exchange right out of the gate.  McCray comes forward with a jab, leg kick, then a knee to the body of Bryant.  Bryant briefly goes for a single, but lets go of the leg. 

They clinch against the cage, but McCray gets the better of it with the plum clinch, landing a couple of knees. 

They separate, and McCray comes forward with another nice combo, mixing punches, kicks and knees.  Back to the clinch with McCray getting the underhooks, then working Bryant to the ground. 

Once on the ground, McCray goes for the back and then gains mount as Bryant rolls.  Bryant rolls again, but now has McCray on his back, with McCray transitioning for an arm.  They scramble to their feet still clinched. 

McCray gets some space, lands an uppercut, then goes back to the thai clinch and lands some nice knees.  McCray drops for a single, but Bryant defends.  McCray then goes to the body lock and powers Bryant to the ground.  Bryant quickly works back to his feet, but is taken back down again. 

McCray cannot keep Bryant on the ground, as he scrambles back up again.  Bryant immediately shoots in and takes McCray down, the transitions to his back. 

McCray turns into him and digs for another takedown.  McCray is now on the back of Bryant trying to land some shots.  Bryant makes his way back to his feet again, with McCray on his back.  Bryant lands a couple of short elbows with McCray holding onto his back. 

Back to the clinch against the cage.  McCray is landing short but effective uppercuts from the clinch.  Bryant turns him into the cage with 10 seconds to go in the round.   ProMMAnow.com scores Round 1 for Kris McCray.

Round 2 – McCray socres first with a jab, then an inside leg kick.  Bryant’s corner calls for him to “let em fly!”  Bryant just misses with the head kick, then lands a flush jab. 

Bryant comes forward with a left hook, then an overhand right, before eating a knee.  Bryant comes back with a big right uppercut, then a nice knee before they separate.

McCray moving forward now and pushes Bryant against the cage.  Bryant steps back and lands a nice left hook.  Bryant again with the left hand and McCray reaches for a leg. 

McCray comes forward with a knee, clinching agianst the cage.  Bryant eats a big knee, then drops for a double and dumps McCray to the ground.

McCray it now on his knees trying to turn into Bryant but gets caught with a couple of short elbows.  Bryant briefly goes for an kimura, then both guys stand back up.

Bryant scores with a left hand, then a big uppercut and is now getting the better of the stand up.  Bryant drops down again and slams McCray to the mat.  McCray is going for the right arm of Bryant now, but Bryant stands up before dropping back onto the body of McCray.

McCray turns and reverses Bryant and is now in the full guard of Bryant.  Bryant is firing elbows from his back, while McCray is working the body from the top.  McCray switches to his left hand, landing four solid punches to the ribs of Bryant.

Bryant is still firing shots from his back staying busy despite being on the botttom.   Bryant rotates his hips and goes for an arm bar just before the bell sounds on Round 2.  ProMMAnow.com scores Round 2 for Josh Bryant.  Looks like we may be going to sudden death.

Round 3 – Both guys throw a couple of lazy punches, but McCray immediately closes and clinches.  Bryant circles and puts McCray’s back agianst the cage. 

Bryant is dropping for a single, while McCray works on the left arm of Bryant to defend.  Two minutes into the round and there is a stalemate against the cage.  Finally, they abandon the scrum, and McCray scores with a knee from the clinch.

McCray pushes Bryant agianst the cage again.  A takedown might just decide the winner in this one…  McCray is working for a single now.  Bryant is on one leg trying not to get taken down.  Bryant lands a short knee to the body, then turns into McCray.

Referee Herb Dean has had enough and separates the fighters with about 1:20 to go.  After the restart, McCray throws a leg kick, but Bryant lands a 7 or 8 punch combo.  McCray looks gassed, then drops for a takedown but gets stuffed and ends up on his back.  Bryant is in side control, then moves to full mount.  McCray rolls and gives up his back and Bryant goes for the rear naked choke.

McCray survives until the bell.  ProMMAnow.com scores Round 3 for Josh Bryant, and the overall fight to Josh Bryant.

The decision is in, and referee Herb Dean announces that Josh Bryant has indeed won the fight.  Team Liddell is back in control.

Stay tuned here at ProMMAnow.com for weekly recaps of all of the episodes of “The Ultimate Fighter: Team Liddell vs. Team Ortiz,” and check out guest blogger Kyacey Uscola’s weekly blog exclusively here at ProMMAnow.com

One thought on ““The Ultimate Fighter 11: Team Liddell vs. Team Ortiz″ – Episode 5 recap”

Leave a Reply