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Amir Sadollah's Ultimate Fighter Blog (Episode 7)
May 15th, 2008, 12:13 am · 36 Comments · posted by CARLOS ARIAS
Amir Sadollah is one of 16 middleweights to fight their way into the house for a chance to win a contract with the UFC on Spike TV’s reality series “The Ultimate Fighter 7.”
Sadollah is writing a weekly blog to give ocregister.com readers a behind-the-scenes look at everything that goes down in the house, during training and in the fights.
TUF 7 airs Wednesdays at 10 p.m. on Spike TV, and Sadollah’s blog posts immediately following each episode.
EPISODE 7
After we lost control of the fight picks, as a team, we were unaware for the first time who would fight when. As I've said before, it is a huge advantage, to have that knowledge and control, and for the first time we were in the dark.
The fights were every three days, so since there were only three preliminary fights left, we all knew we would be fighting inside a week or so anyway.
I remember sitting in the living room with the guys the night before, wondering if I would get a feeling of who was going to be fighting. I wasn't sure if I was going to be picked or not, but I was planning to be picked, so I could skip the surprise and go straight to preparing for the fight.
When Rampage called my name to fight, I was still a little surprised, but not un-prepared mentally. The pick for Gerald to fight me was a good one for their team stylistically. Gerald is an excellent wrestler, very explosive, and has had a lot of high level fights. I was definitely the underdog in this one.
Its strange to watch myself fight on this show. I don't know why, but I get nervous watching it. I'll be shouting advice to myself on the TV screen.
With a great job of doing research on my opponent, our team had a good idea what my plan for fighting Gerald should be. The game plan was to avoid the takedown, try not to get slammed, try to come down safely when I do get slammed, and stay mobile on my feet.
Simple right? Unfortunately when you fight someone like Gerald, knowing what you should do, and actually doing it are two different things.
Gerald shot in with a very quick double right away, did a good job of controlling me on the ground, and striking me when I opened up to move. I was able to get up a few times in the round, but I was definitely on the defensive for most of it. We worked a lot on takedown defense for this fight, and I was glad to have learned what I did in that short time, but it's not easy to develop a NCAA Division I wrestling ability in two days.
Forrest's calm relaxed attitude was exactly what I needed to see between rounds. I remember him looking at me and saying calmly, "OK, this is what we expected, you're doing good." Like I've said in the past, Forrest was a great leader by example, and this was a great re-affirmation that the fight was far from over.
In the second round I felt a little looser, and was able to land a few strikes before Gerald quickly started to impose his will again. During a fight I tend not to wonder, or even know if I am winning or losing a round, I just think about finding my opportunities when they are created. I just kept working, and was able to find an opening and capitalize on it.
What they didn't show was Gerald come into our locker room after the fight, and tell me he was sorry for being upset and good luck in the tournament. Editing is the all powerful force on the show, but I don't want anyone to think of Gerald as anything but completely professional and a great person, with a great future. None of us like to lose, and in this pressure-filled situation, especially, it's easy to be overcome with the emotion of the moment.
While being on the show was the greatest opportunity I've had in my fight career, I would have to say the one thing I didn't care for was becoming friends with someone, and then fighting them. Gerald, kinda picking up on this, and having the sense of humor that he does, was quick to mess with me afterwards. He twisted his ankle in the fight, and was limping a bit, so I offered to get him a bag of ice. His reply was quick, "Don't try to help me NOW ..." After I realized he was not serious, I thought that was really funny.
Cale vs. Schultz was a match up they both wanted. They both wanted to fight another standup guy, so they both got their wish.
I actually had not seen this fight until this episode aired, the fight between Cale and Schultz was on the same day as Klein and C.B., so I was hanging out with Klein in the warm-up room while everyone was outside watching. I don't have a lot of inside info on this one, but will be glad to boisterously offer my opinion.
I thought this was a very exciting first round. Cale hits hard, and has good chin. Pat is obviously very comfortable on his feet, and they were banging hard as expected.
Pat did get a knockdown in the first, which usually wins you the round. The round was very close otherwise, and Cale clearly won the second round. One reason I can think that there wasn't a third round, was that the second round was scored 10-8.
To Pat's credit, his hard one shot offense was working well, and while Cale was holding his own on the feet, saw that his clear advantage was to take Pat down and pound him out. We later learned that Pat had broken his hand in the first round, and I'm sure that affected him in the second.
Again I will always tend to defend our overly-dramatic behavior on the show, due to the under appreciated amount of pressure on everyone, including the coaches. That being said, I didn't like Pat's snide comment to Forrest. Neither fighter, coach, or even production staff on the show has anything to do with the judging.
I only heard about all this bickering second hand and wasn't aware of it until the point it came crashing in next to me.
But I'll be able to elaborate on that more next week.
-Amir
To check out Amir's blog for Episode 6, click here.
To check out Amir's blog for Episode 5, click here.
To check out Amir's blog for Episode 4, click here.
To check out Amir's blog for Episode 3, click here.
To check out Amir's blog for Episode 2, click here.
[...] Amir Sadollah's TUF 7 blog (Episode 7) Check out what Amir had to say about Episode 7: Keep Punching Blog Archive Amir Sadollah’s Ultimate Fighter Blog (Episode 7) - OCRegister.com [...]
[...] GOT FANATICS! wrote an interesting post today on Amir Sadollahâ
Amir's knee strikes again. I was looking for the lightning bolts to shoot out when it connected like they did in the promo for your first fight. Great work man. We are all pulling for you.
Amir, you showed incredible heart in this fight. Congrats, great win.
Awsome fight, and a great performance - good job on the blog too. I liked Gerald, he is a great fighter and we will see more of him - I hope. I don't know why there was a controversy for the second fight, it was close, but there was a clear winner. Good job Amir, let's go all the way...
Great fight Amir, this only confirms why you were one of my picks to take it in the end, I believe you have something that none of the other fighters have, your incredible heart and determination.
There should have been a third round in the second fight. Other than the takedowns, what did Cale do? Sure he was striking back but nothing happened. Pat dropped Cale a couple times right? Last I checked that deserved a 10-8 round, especially since Cale didn't do anything on the ground in the 1st round.
Your fight with Gerald was amazing. I was standing and shouting at the TV as though it would somehow affect the tape. Those slams Gerald got were huge. I've got mad respect for you to pick yourself up and keep fighting like a champ after those beasts. You've got incredible heart and some nasty striking ability. Can't wait to see more of you in the UFC.
And the blog is great. I'm glad to see a season of TUF where the "funny guy" can fight, too.
Amir - that was one heck of a fight! I've always noticed in mma that the calm, calculating fighter always stands a chance in any fight. Great Job.
Pat should keep his mouth shut and not disrespect Forrest. And if Quinton thinks that he is going to walk through Forrest, he's got another thing coming. Don't get me wrong - I admire Rampage as much as I do Forrest, but he is going to fight a fighter who likes the grind. It will be a war.
Amir, what can I say. So far the 2 fights of yours I have seen are simply impressive. Especially because of your experience (no professional record) and the calliber of fighter you faced in Gerald. When they first announced the fight i thought, well sucks to be Amir. But wow........just wow.
Damet garm pesar, i wish you the best always, don't ever give up, and madareh hamashono bega.
I was getting worried for you there. Was an excellent ending to a tough fight.
It's funny that you say you were yelling advice to yourself through the TV, cause I was describing the fight to my woman last night and told her that you finally heard me when you brought that knee up. She found it pretty funny, but I'm glad you do the same thing.
Hope you continue to win. Have much respect for your tenacity and character. Will continue to support you throughout the show and your career. Good luck!
Just watched your tivo'd fight, Amir, and it was great. You never gave up! I thought I recognized you a couple of weeks ago from Tucker and I was right. Can't wait to see your next fight!
[...] Amir Sadollah’s Ultimate Fighter Blog (Episode 7) [...]
Amir that fight was incredible, I have to admit I was a little worried after the first round. Way to go!! So when is Forrest going to shave his head?
[...] right.. and his trash talking to forrest after the fight was stupid and disrespectful.. Both Amir's and Cale's blogs talk about his broken hand- Cale even mentions that Schultz had to get a few pins [...]
UFC is witnessing the birth on an incredible unlikely champion, a true under-dog, come from behind Cinderella story. Amir is blessed with talents and intelligence and he is a mountain of determination and dedication.... Go kid, go
mmafan: Good find. A lot of people don't know about Amir's kickboxing background.
Amir..........what can I say? I love to watch you think when you fight and you have never let me down. In all of your fights I have come to see I have never seen you loose yet. Keep up the good work and I'll keep up the faith.
Amir that was a good fight. I have to admit that I was rooting for Gerald Harris and was down when you caught him with that knee. But during the fight I had a gut feeling that you were going to win. Despite not having the fighting experience as some of your fellow cast members I can tell that you have a composure about you which makes you a good fighter. I was very impressed with your striking and your take down defense against Harris as well as your fight with Steve Byrnes. Good luck the rest of the way.
MARRY ME!!
Great blog dude!
Keep up the good work!
..
I love you Amir and am so proud of you, but I am a little mad at you for putting yourself at risk, it was hard to watch when you were getting hit and slammed down, I closed my eyes parts of the first round! But, as the incredible fighter you are, you came back and won... Go Amir
Your Lil' Sis
Got to hand it to you kid, you are a tower of power, intelligence and determination. That was a great fight against an equally determined and worthy opponent. I remember in the beginning of the season, I was so hoping you wouldn't have to fight Gerald, so you can imagine my pulse rate when I found out......
God bless, good luck and we are all proud of you.
Stephanie: good choice, you must be smart... this is a one of a kind handsome boy.... I know, I'm his dad.....
wooah what an awesome fight!!
I LOVE watching the undergod win in true American fashion. I haven't seen people get up from takedowns the way you kept getting up on your feet. I've seen so many fights stay on the ground because the better wrestler wants it that way. Must've taken a lot of heart to get up each time.
This was one of the better fights on the show. Good job!
[...] Comments gcw on Toe-to-toe with female MMA sensation Gina CaranoRazzle465 on Amir Sadollah’s Ultimate Fighter Blog (Episode 7)Fernrbo on MMA REPORT: Rankings, results and scheduleAmir's Dad on Amir Sadollah’s Ultimate [...]
Hey man, this is coming from guy who doesnt watch fighting much (Girlfriend watches it more) I loved the calm style and the hair keep it up, you got this. From the first fight when you fell off the ring you have been our fav. Now I can not wait for my son to be able to start training. Hes 3 I got a while. Thanks for the entertainment, your a class act.
oh man. my boyfriend and two of his coworkers never watch mma and i had tivo'ed the fight (i cannot deal with commercial interruptions during my mma) they were like "we're gonna play ghost recon" and i was about to fight em all. anyway we watched it together and we were all practically biting our nails off and the atmosphere was intense. i kept saying "stop freaking out, he's totally got this." when you won we were freakin jumpin up and down and were just so happy for you. i swear those guys are gonna start watching mma now. you're freakin amazing. and i think it is so sweet what your little sis and dad said.
chiari (a stranger and a fan but not a strange fan)
Amir, you are now officially my favourite fighter from all seasons of Ultimate Fighter.
[...] Blog (Episode 9) - OCRegister.com on Amir Sadollah’s Ultimate Fighter Blog (Episode 8)sue on Amir Sadollah’s Ultimate Fighter Blog (Episode 7)jakestl on Amir Sadollah’s Ultimate Fighter Blog (Episode 8)the best on Amir Sadollah’s [...]
Ur definatly in the top 3 left....i called that weeks ago. whats amazing is u dont look like a fighter, u dont talk like a fighter or act like one. your funny as hell and laid back and when its time to get in the cage, the beast comes out. i saw u take what looked like hard shots from matt brown and just ate them. im very impressed. UR AN ANIMANL! GOOD LUCK!
Amir, if you read this dude, I had a feeling you were gonna COME OUT OF NOWHERE MAN AND ROCK! Under the radar dude! Comin' on the show 0-0, takin' on some great fighters and winning. Very impressive! Get that contract bro!
Amir, great fight with Matt. I want Matt's blog can you help me out with that!!!!!!!!!!!
Amir, you're 3-0 in my book. Check out this post I wrote on sherdog. It speeks sooth, sir... SOOTH!
-willhaven720@yahoo.com
[...] To check out Amir’s blog for Episode 7, click here. [...]