Episode 9 recap: There should have been a Round 3

Posted Nov 12, 2009 by TBO.com

Updated Nov 12, 2009 at 11:42 AM

By MARCUS JONES

Hey TBO.com,

It is good to be back for another episode recap, so let’s get right into it.  Episode 9 pitted Justin Wren vs. Roy Nelson.

They, in my opinion, are the two most talented fighters in the house.  No disrespect meant to the other guys, but Justin is a world-class wrestler with ridiculous jiu-jitsu, while Roy is extremely well-rounded and has so much experience.  Both guys also were the best of friends while in the house.  It was like a big brother/ little brother situation between them.  I am sure neither looked forward to the fight.

Much of the episode discussed Matt’s state of well-being.  Despite beating Scott Junk in his first fight, Matt sustained the worst of it and suffered a concussion. 

As many of you know, I am not his biggest supporter, but in this case, I really believe he was struggling and speaking from experience, a concussion can be an extremely scary thing.  It can be one of the worst feelings since you can’t escape from it.  Between the headaches, the sensitivity to light and the dizzy spells, it really affects your daily life. 

At one point, I took Matt aside and told him that he shouldn’t fight.  It is one thing to be hurt, but it is another thing to be injured.  A concussion is a very serious matter and to enter the octagon in that type of state is unacceptable.  It is hard enough to win a fight, but at significantly less than 100 percent, it is practically impossible.  He would only be opening himself up to more harm. 

But now let’s get back to the focus of the episode, Justin and Roy.  I really clicked with Roy.  As previous episodes have showed, I love to learn new moves and techniques and Roy was always willing to provide me with tips and pointers.  There were several occasions when I would approach him in the house asking him for advice and he would offer to roll with me right then and there.  That is the Roy I knew.  If Dana saw that Roy, I am sure he would love him too. 

Justin is just a very likeable guy.  He is a very respectful young man with a tremendous energy for the sport.  Everyone in the house loved the guy.  This was definitely a fight that I was excited to see for the skill level, but from a personal standpoint, it was going to be tough.  I liked both guys so much that I wanted both to win, but neither to lose.

Now to the fight.  I assumed that since both guys were so skilled with their grappling and jiu-jitsu that this would turn into a stand up war, and boy was I right. 

The fight opened with Justin absolutely rocking Roy and forcing him to clinch.  The clinch absolutely saved Roy, because without that Justin would likely have finished the fight.  Roy was able to use the time to gain his composure and begin to throw in his own shots.  Justin’s strong start seemed to tire him out towards the middle of the round, allowing Roy to pick him apart and finish the round strong, but still to me, round 1 belonged to Justin. 

Round 2 included more of the same, as Roy seemed to have more energy throughout the round.  Neither fighter was able to dominate, but Roy seemed to push the action, while Justin was swinging wildly and missing.  Round 2 to Roy. 

I, along with everyone else in the house, thought there should have been a third round.  The fight was way too close for a two-round decision.  But regardless, looking at both fighters following the second round, Roy likely would have won the final round.  Justin was too exhausted and did not have much left.  Winner: Roy Nelson.

Next up – Brendan Schaub vs. Jon Madsen.  Until next week, TBO.com.

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