TUF 7 Review: Amir Sadollah named TUF 7 Champion
By Robert Rousseau
The Ultimate Fighter Reality Television Show has probably done more to bring mixed martial arts into the mainstream than anything else. Along with this, TUF 7 brought us as many good fights as any of the show's installments.
One of these was between C.B. Dollaway, a former Arizona State All American wrestler, and Amir Sadollah. Sadollah won that battle via armbar. But then Jesse Taylor blew his chance to fight for the TUF 7 Championship when he kicked a limousine window in, amongst other things.
So the TUF 7 Finale brought us a rematch between Dollaway and Sadollah. Would Dollaway prove to be too much for his opponent in front of the big UFC crowd, or would Sadollah once again be the victor? For that matter, how would Kendall Grove do against former UFC Champion, Evan Tanner?
All good questions. Now let's get to the answers Submit To MMA style.
Diego Sanchez vs. Luigi Fioravanti : The Nightmare is back
Everyone came into this one thinking that if the fight stayed upright Fioravanti would win and if it went to the ground then Sanchez would take home victory. Guess what?
Not exactly accurate.
In sum, Sanchez was unable to do much ground fighting in this one as Fioravanti displayed excellent takedown defense. But the "Nightmare" did exhibit some excellent and improved striking skills, regularly beating his opponent to the punch-and sometimes even high kick-throughout the fight.
Speaking of high kicks. . . In the third Sanchez landed one that sent Fioravanti reeling. He then followed that up with a knee and some serious ground and pound before the referee had no choice but to step in and stop things.
Diego Sanchez wins via TKO at 4:07 of round three.
Evan Tanner vs. Kendall Grove : The Main Event
Boxing Equipment and Shoes
The bottom line on this one was simple. Tanner had difficulty getting
and keeping Grove on the canvas. Thus, Grove was able to use some excellent knees in the clinch, including flying knees while Tanner held his leg, and his unusually long reach to stymie his opponent. In fact, he also beat him up some with elbows in close.
On one hand, Tanner may have won the final round, showing the toughness we've all come to know him for. On the other hand, Grove clearly won the first two rounds and was the obvious victor despite the fact that one judge gave Tanner the win.
Kendall Grove wins via majority decision.
Amir Sadollah vs. C.B. Dollaway : For the TUF 7 Championship
This one is easy to write up. Remember that armbar Sadollah put on Dollaway late in their fight on the show? Well, he did it again.
The only difference was that this time he did it in the first round.
Though Dollaway seemed to complain initially that he hadn't tapped; he had quite obviously done so. Probably just emotions getting the better of him for a moment.
Amir Sadollah wins via armbar at 3:02 of round one.
FINAL TUF 7 FINALE RESULTS
Rob Kimmons def. Rob Yundt via submission (guillotine) - R1
Dean Lister def. Jeremy Horn via submission (guillotine) - R1
Matt Brown def. Matt Arroyo via TKO (strikes) - R2
Drew McFederies def. Marvin Eastman via TKO (strikes) - R1
Dustin Hazelett def. Josh Burkman via submission (armbar) - R2
Matt Riddle def. Dante Rivera via unanimous decision
Spencer Fisher def. Jeremy Stephens via unanimous decision
Diego Sanchez def. Luigi Fioravanti via TKO (strikes) - R3 (4:07)
Amir Sadollah def. C.B. Dollaway via submission (armbar) - R1 (3:02)
Kendall Grove def. Evan Tanner via split decision
