There is one preliminary match left. Will Team Hughes finally break its losing streak?

After a recap of last week's match, Matt Serra joked that he thought he'd get Matt Hughes a "Coaching for Dummies" book for his birthday.

Dana White thought the final preliminary match could be an interesting one with Tommy Speer the Country Boy and Jon Koppenhaver, better known as War Machine.

After the nice things Dana had said about Tommy, Matt Hughes decided to give him a dose of tough love during training. Tommy was getting the brunt of Hughes' anger and frustration after six straight losses. He actually slapped Tommy across the face to "wake him up" and get him to show some emotion. Then Hughes said he hoped Tommy would take the slap the right way. Yeah, right.

Serra said that War Machine had some issues mentally and called him a piece of work. "Man, what a nut," he added. War Machine had even brought an ammo belt with him to Las Vegas.

At training, War Machine complained that Serra was playing favorites and not giving him enough attention. Serra called him a knucklehead.

Tommy explained that he was raised on a farm, much like Hughes. Hughes even said that Tommy reminded him of himself in his younger years. Tommy's teammates all commented on his strength.

At the end of training, Hughes said he'd seen some emotion from Tommy. I think Hughes even smiled.

Serra wished there was a shrink on staff for War Machine; he was doing the best he could with him, but he was "a little nutty."

Koppenhaver said he was always fighting himself.

At Hughes' training session, Tommy explained that he had quick take downs. Coach Hughes said that Tommy was raw and hadn't been in any good camps or had any fights. But by the end of the training session, Hughes was laughing. Amazing.

Serra said War Machine had the tools and could win the fight. He seemed to have turned a corner, and Serra joked that he was growing on him--like ringworm.

At the weigh-in Hughes appeared jovial. Both made weight easily.

War Machine said he fought because it was the only way to survive. He did not have a mom or dad or anyone who cared about him. He recounted how he'd given his Dad CPR, but he'd died anyway. His father had been his support structure, and he missed that. Jon tearfully asked the camera who really liked him. He was terribly nervous prior to the fight and said he needed the win for his future--if Tommy lost, he could go back to the farm and his family and friends. But Jon had no one. It was a remarkably candid and touching moment.

Final Preliminary Match: Tommy Speer vs. Jon Koppenhaver.

Good first round, with War Machine trying to submit Tommy during the first half with a rear naked choke. Tommy would not give up, despite the fact that he had been bleeding like the proverbial stuck pig since the beginning of the round. War Machine seemed to just take all the pounding that was coming his way during the latter half of the round.

The second round saw Tommy with a take down almost immediately. That is where it stayed the whole round, with Tommy alternating mount and side control.

Tommy Speer was announced as the winner, and Matt Hughes was in a good mood. He said his team didn't know quite what to make of that.

Serra said he thought more of War Machine after the fight.

Quarter finals begin next week and a big decision by Serra is teased.

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

THE TEAMS

Matt Serra, head coach, with trainers Ray Long and Pete Sell

Matt Hughes, head coach and Bible study leader, with trainers Robbie Lawler, Matt Pena, and Marc FioreTommy Speer