TUF 4.7

Major Points

• Rich Franklin is still at the gym to train with the guys. We don't really seem him do much in the way of training. He does point out that he's afraid to touch some of the guys, due to the staph outbreak. Which is in no way the fault of the UFC. Some of the guys also think Rich is a bit of a jerk.
• Most guys think Rich is really there to scout out potential opponents. Rich believes he will be facing the winner of the Middleweight group. Anderson Silva probably believes otherwise.
• Dana points out that bringing in Franklin was done for the betterment of the fighters. Of course, he makes this point in an interview, and not in the gym to the actual guys.
• To celebrate his victory, Pete Sell gets drunk. And I mean DRUNK. Thankfully, a) Drago is a funny drunk, and b) the other guys in the house don't get upset with Drunken Drago. No doors were broken, and no beds were urinated on. Unfortunately, even drunk, Drago doesn't drop I Must Break You.
• Rich Franklin does some training with Matt Serra. Rich's advice? Drop to one knee so the guy can't kick you. Serra thanks Rich for the unconventional training strategy.
• At the house, Rich's advice is mocked. For some reason, most of the guys don't think limiting your mobility and reach during a fight is the best strategy. Much hilarity ensues.
• Charles McCarthy asks Rich about the advice. McCarthy is surprised to learn that Franklin was serious. The rest of the house is dismayed to learn that McCarthy squealed.
• Patrick Cote demonstrates some personality, drawing a humourous cartoon of Captain Miserable, doing a funny skit with Serra, and threatening to get drunk and go hunting for Rich Franklin.
• Refusing to let it go, Serra asks Randy Couture about Rich's advice. Couture questions the wisdom of such a strategy.
• Serra is fighting Pete Spratt. Because we've already had Spratt's UFC clips, its all Serra baby.
• Serra is 4-4. He currently seems to be focusing more on training other guys than on fighting. Serra seems to get screwed by judges.
• Nobody gives Spratt much of a chance against Serra. Spratt says he is going to surprise some people. Or, you know, not.
  
• Serra beats Spratt in the first round. Spratt put up a good fight, and by good fight, I mean Spratt managed to avoid getting taken down on Serra's first attempt, but Serra got full mount and rained punches. Eventually, Big John McCarthy got around to stopping the fight.
  

The Good

• Its nice to see Patrick Cote showing some life. Of course, I'm sure it has nothing to do with the fact that Cote is fighting Jorge Rivera next week. Cote's blinged Maple Leaf on his hat is pretty cool. And I'm skeptical of nationalist symbols.
• Serra should be in good shape for his next fight.

The Bad

• Rich Franklin came across as boring, rude, and arrogant. I'm not saying he is those things, but that's how he came across. Not good for their poster boy champion.
• For the love of all that is good and holy, can somebody buy Shonie Carter some shorts? Any footage of a Shonie fight always features his packagetastic speedos. Congratulations Shonie, you have a penis. Seriously, pixelate that. We have the technology.
• Is it Matt 'The Terra' Serra', or Matt 'The Terror' Serra? Is he scary or dirt?
• Was Dana's rant about the guys not taking advantage of Franklin's expertise made before or after the knee advice? If before, okay, I can see that. But if that is any indication of the help Rich did offer when he was asked, then Dana has no right to be upset.
• Dana continues to rewrite UFC history. Just call him Winston Smith.

The Ugly

• Watching the drunken antics of Drago had me reminiscing about the juvenile, violent outbursts exhibited by former TUF competitors. This season is much better behaviour wise.
• Hmmm, its 10:45 and the fight hasn't started yet. Wonder if this is going to be over quick? OMG, it WAS! How can I parlay this newfound psychic ability into a lucrative career?
  

Next Week

• It's Chuck! Hey guys, another UFC champion is coming to visit us! Hopefully Ken Shamrock will come by in two weeks so they can watch fight tapes.
• Patrick Cote is fighting Jorge Rivera.