Episode 2 starts like previous seasons, with the fighters stepping into The Ultimate Fighter house for the first time. After picking their rooms, several of the guys find their way to the bar and enjoy a few drinks to celebrate their wins.

The following day, the fighters arrive at the training center for the team selection process. UFC president Dana White kicks it off with the coin flip, which is won by Coach Urijah Faber. Faber opts to give up the first pick in lieu of controlling the match up to start the competition.

Here is what the team picks look like (in selection order):

Team Cruz

1. Justin Lawrence
2. Sam Sicilia
3. Myles Jury
4. Mike Rio
5. James Vick
6. Vinc Pichel
7. Chris Tickle
8. Jeremy Larsen

Team Faber

1. Al Iaquinta
2. Cristiano Marcello
3. Daron Cruickshank
4. Joe Proctor
5. Mike Chiesa
6. John Cofer
7. Andy Ogle
8. Chris Saunders

Team Faber hits the training center, with Chris Saunders admitting that working with Faber is like a dream come true. The rest of the team feels the same way, and the chemistry seems to be very strong across the entire team.

Coach Cruz took the approach of testing each of his team members to see which discipline were strengths as their team training session got underway. Chris Tickle, who admittedly wanted to be on Team Faber, was singled out and tested early as the training session wore on.

After a quick commercial break, it’s time for the first fight pick. Before the match up can be revealed, Coach Faber has some words for the current UFC bantamweight champion. Faber confronts Coach Cruz about an interview related to comments about Faber’s parents helping him set up his gym. Faber tells Cruz that talking about family is off limits, and Cruz agrees, apologizing to Faber’s father for his words.

After that issue is settled, Coach Faber announces the first fight match up, selecting James Vick from Team Cruz to face off against Daron Cruickshank. Faber feels that Cruickshank will earn an easy victory, giving Team Faber early control in the competition.

Team Faber gets their training session underway, when Michael Chiesa is pulled to the side and receives a devastating call from his mother, telling him that his father has passed from a form of cancer. Chiesa explains that his father stayed alive long enough to see him realize his dream of earning a spot on this season of The Ultimate Fighter, but is clearly devastated by the news.

Back at the house, Chiesa tells his close friend Sam Sicilia about his family situation. Sicilia talks Chiesa into staying in the competition, telling him that his dad would be proud of him for going for his dreams.

Chiesa talks to UFC president Dana White, and makes the decision to go home to his family, with the intent to return to the competition after his father’s funeral.

“I know that I’m going to come back just a totally different animal as I would be if I was to stay here,” Chiesa said. “I just have to soak in the loss; I have to go home and just bleed it out.”

James Vick is profiled before the fight, and Coach Cruz feels that his best opportunity to win the fight is to keep the fight standing. Cruz enlists the help of assistant coach Lloyd Irvin to help with submissions that may come into play against Cruickshank should the fight hit the ground.

Daron Cruicksank’s training session consists of mostly submission defense, as Coach Faber anticipates that Vick will use his length to lock up certain submissions in their upcoming bout, although Faber believes that Cruickshank will ultimately earn the victory against his less experienced opponent.

Michael Chiesa returns on a mission after attending his father’s funeral, admitting that he has found closure with his trip home.

The weigh-ins are completed at the training center, with both fighters on weight, and it’s time to see which team will start with the early momentum and take control of the competition.

James Vick vs. Daron Cruikshank

Round 1 – After a tentative start, Cruickshank scores first with his kicks. He follows up with a lead uppercut that finds it’s mark. Vick flashes his jab but Cruickshank comes back with a spinning back kick that lands. Vick is coming forward but is a bit hesitant to throw halfway through the round. Cruickshank is getting loose, and lands another spinning kick. He dips in for a takedown and Vick fires off a staggering knee that KO’s Cruikshank where he stands. It’s all over. Wow! Vick advances with the stunning knockout.

OFFICIAL RESULT: James Vick def. Daron Cruickshank by KO (knee) Rd. 1 (2:16)

With the win, Team Cruz controls the fight pick for the next episode. Coach Cruz selects Justin Lawrence from his team and allows Coach Faber to select one of his fighters to face Lawrence. Coach Faber asks his team who wants to step up, but nobody does, giving control of the pick right back to Coach Cruz. Cruz selects Cristiano Marcello from Team Faber to face Lawrence, and with that, next week’s match up is official.

3 thoughts on “The Ultimate Fighter Live – episode 2 recap”

Leave a Reply