With a supposedly outmatched Team Liddell taking the season's opening quarterfinal fight on the previous edition of "The Ultimate Fighter 11," episode No. 3 opens up with Team Ortiz looking to close the gap. But first, UFC president Dana White has an important announcement.
With all 14 fighters gathered in the gym, White comes in with both Chuck Liddell and Tito Ortiz and announces that Chris Camozzi is being forced to leave the show due to a jaw fracture suffered in his preliminary round fight. Ortiz is upset, Camozzi is disappointed, and both teams rally around the departing fighter.
"It's horrible to be leaving now," Camozzi says. "I was ready to go. I didn't want to give up on my dream, injury or not. I would have loved to have stayed."
"It took me years to get hear, and it took seconds to lose it."
Camozzi tries to stay positive as he departs the gym, but his pain is obvious. White announces that four fighters who were eliminated in the preliminary fights have been medically cleared to return, and Ortiz and his coaches are tasked with picking someone to come back.
We flash quickly to a Team Liddell training session, and after a win, the energy level is high in the camp. Liddell is seen offering some hands on advice to his fighters, and the team seems to be responding well to the instruction. John Hackleman also says the overall vibe is very upbeat.
After a commercial break, Team Liddell's Charles Blanchard, trained neuromuscular therapist, is shown offering some therapeutic massages. Nick Ring is the recipient of the attention, and Team Ortiz's Kris McCray points out that the late-night body work isn't his cup of tea.
There's a bit of uncomfortable exchanges between Ring, McCray and Jamie Yager before bedtime regarding the "3 a.m. man-on-man massages," but it's light banter overall.
The next morning, both teams are gathered, and Team Ortiz's replacement fighter is named: Seth Baczynski, who lost a hard-fought battle to Court McGee in the preliminary round.
Baczynski admits his quick reversal of fortune has thrown him for a loop.
"It hasn't even really all set in yet," Baczaynski admits. "I'm just still wandering around like a chicken with his head cut off. I don't really know the system, so I'm just kind of getting adapted and used to everything."
Team Roxanne replaces injured fighter Chris Camozzi with Seth Baczynski.
The next fight announcement is due, and while Team Ortiz assumes their new recruit will be heading immediately to the chopping block, Liddell picks (Team Roy's) Brad Tavares to meet (Team Jen's) James Hammortree. Ortiz calls the fight a must-win, and White says he believes both fighters are tough and talented.
Later, at a Team Ortiz training session, Yager and Ring get into a verbal altercation during sparring. Ring is frustrated that he's being called names by his teammate, while Yager believes some of his partners are sandbagging during practice.
Ortiz rallies the troops, but it's obvious there's a bit of discourse in the ranks.
Tavares and Hammortree weigh-in for the fights, and both hit 185.5 pounds. Members of both teams predict victory for their fighter, though Yager admits he wouldn't be too upset if his new friend from the opposite team, Tavares, was able to sneak out a win.
In a brief introductory montage, Tavares explains that his passion for fighting lies simply in the fact that he enjoys doing it. Hackleman admits that the 22-year-old is still raw, but he has what it takes to be something special in the UFC.
Hammortree, or "The Sledge," shares his background, which includes a five-second knockout in his home state of Florida. Hammortree is confident in his hands, but he admits he like to ground and pound, as well.
(Team Roy's) Brad Tavares VS. (Team Jen's) James Hammortree
Round 1: Referee Steve Mazzagatti starts the fight, and Tavares comes out with a few probing kicks, both low and high. Tavares lands a jab, and Hammortree backs away before shooting in for a single-leg takedown. Tavares sprawls well as he backs up to the cage, and he sneaks in a few punches with Hammortree still looking for the takedown.
The pair scrambles off the cage, and Tavares lands a slick hip toss and moves directly to his opponent's back. Tavares tries to work in a rear-naked choke, but Hammortree spins and eventually pulls away.
Hammortree sets up on top, but Tavares does a good job of avoiding much damage underneath before working back to his feet. Halfway through the round, the two reset against the cage.
Hammortree works the fight again to the canvas, though Tavares again switches out to the back. He slides off in a scramble, though hr's able to re-establish the position. Hammortree escapes and transitions to half-mount and eventually out to side control.
Tavares again avoids damage and scrambles out. Hammortree lands a few shots to the ribs in the closing seconds, but the round looks like it should be for Tavares. Ortiz tells Hammortree he did enough to win, but it's highly debatable.
Round 2: Hammortree eats a punch but charges in for the takedown. Tavares again remains standing and reverses the effort after bouncing off the cage. Tavares has top position, but he doesn't keep Hammortree down and instead allows him to stand.
Tavares lands a knee as the two return to their feet, but has another toss attempt stuffed and winds up on the canvas. Hammortree moves to the back, though Tavares again covers well and doesn't absorb much damage.
Tavares grabs a kimura grip on Hammortree's arm, but he releases and stands. Hammortree stays on the back and delivers a knee, and Tavares grabs another kimura grip as he falls to the canvas. Tavares looks close to finishing the submission early, but Hammortree quickly regains control of his arm. A second affort from Tavares looks close, as well, and he eventually rotates to guard.
Hammortree lands a few shots from top position, but for the most part his dominance comes strictly through positioning. At the end of the round, it's clear that Hammortree has taken the second, and the fight looks destined for a third frame.
The word comes quickly – sudden victory is needed.
Round 3: Hammortree eats a few stiff left hands to open. Hammor tree then shoots in and pushes Tavares to the canvas. A few right hands land from the top, and Hammortree moves into the mount. He's there only briefly before being reversed. Hammortree scrambles up and tries for a single-leg takedown, but Tavares defends strongly while firing hammerfists.
The fight reaches a neutral position with Hammortree refusing to relent from the takedown attempt. Tavares remains on his knees while defending with a kimura grip. Hammortree continues to press forward, but Tavares falls only to his butt.
Tavares eventually works back to his feet with less than a minute remaining, and he fires in a few more hammerfists while Hammortree tries again for a takedown. The fight ends there, and the final round is a close one.
Fight replays show the highlights, as well as a very odd Liddell clip as he watches the contest. Both coaches believe their fighter has won, and the the two contestants embrace quickly before the results are revealed.
In the end, all three judges award the final round, and the fight, to Tavares. Team Liddell is understandably excited with their second win in two elimination fights, and Ortiz looks shocked at the result.
-(Team Roy's) Brad Tavares def. (Team Jen's) James Hammortree via decision for 7pts.
-Team Adam, Team Roxanne, Team Roy, and Team Tammy each earn 1pt for having Chuck Liddell as their coach.
Despite the loss, Ortiz lets his team know that he appreciates the effort Hammortree put into the contest. Hammortree is disappointed at the result, and Ortiz is frustrated and believes his fighter was wronged.
Hammortree refuses to give up, and he'll now bank on a potential wild-card berth.
Next week's preview promises further turmoil in the Team Ortiz camp, an in-cage controversy, and two elimination fights.
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