The quarterfinal matches got underway this week. Since the first two fights were going to be teammate vs. teammate, Forrest was asked to decide whom he wanted to corner. Forrest didn't want to make that decision, so a coin was tossed by Dana White to determine the coaches' cornering duties.

Tim Credeur said Jesse Taylor was not born on this planet due to his fondness for junk food, which only seemed to give him more muscles.

Rampage napped through the training session for Dante--a la Ken Shamrock--saying he didn't think he could get to know a fighter in just a few days. Therefore, he let Dante train as he pleased.

Jesse had a few pounds to lose, some of which he lost by peeing his pants outside at the hot tub. (I could have done without that visual.)

The fight went two full rounds. Jesse took Dante down early, where Dante stayed pretty much the entire time. Junkfood Jesse was announced as the winner.

Dana said that while it wasn't the best performance for Dante, Jesse "didn't look like a world-beater, either."

Although Matt and Amir had become good friends, both intended to bring it into the Octagon. Their fellow teammates expected it to be a bloodbath.

Forrest observed that Amir seemed less confident for this fight, but chalked it up to "vocalizing," which is something many fighters do.

Rampage was a bit more proactive in coaching Matt than he had been with Dante. He said he liked Matt's fighting spirit.

Matt expected that they would stand and bang. Amir said that win or lose, they would give a great showing and be better for the experience.

This one had been mentioned by the housemates as a loser-goes-home-in-a-body bag match.

As promised, they started out banging. Matt had some big kicks and knees. Whoever was in the corner for Amir (other than Forrest) was doing a great job of communicating. Really good first round with lots of action.

Round two started with Amir on fire. The guy has some wicked kicks in his arsenal. He took Matt down and unloaded some more punches. Matt battled to his feet, but Amir finished him off with a triangle choke for the win.

Amir thought it had been the best case scenario. Both called each other warriors and they remained buddies.

Next week, the gloves come off, so to speak, as the competitors aren't nearly as gracious as they were this week.

***********************