The Ultimate Fighter: Live Episode 3 Recap: Team Cruz Continues To Roll

Another fighter advanced to the quarterfinals.  Tensions between teams began to heat up, and next week’s match up was set in the third episode of The Ultimate Fighter: Live.

Personalities are beginning to emerge in the house.  Chris Tickle of Team Cruz teased Team Faber members for not stepping up and volunteering to face Justin Lawrence during last week’s fight announcement.  He also started the practical jokes of the season by removing Urijah Faber’s parking sign in the parking lot of the UFC gym.

Tensions heated up between cast members Tickle and John Cofer.  The two had a verbal altercation at the gym as Team Faber was beginning to work out and Team Cruz was leaving the facility.  It was mild, but enough to cause Cofer to request a fight with Tickle.

This week’s matchup between Justin Lawrence and Cristiano Marcello was a contrast in age and style.  It pitted the oldest cast member, Marcello, against the youngest.  It pitted a striker against an elite level jiu-jitsu practitioner.

“It’s going to be old school vs. new school,” said Marcello about the match up.

Both fighters prepared game plans and each weighed in at 156-pounds.

In the fight, Lawrence used his footwork and movement to keep Marcello on the outside.  Marcello did not look comfortable on his feet against the younger, quicker striker.  Lawrence won the first round with effective striking and controlling the action.

In the second round, Lawrence began to find his range.  Marcello tried to be more aggressive but paid the price when he was knocked down by a left hook.  The writing was on the wall after that point.  At the 3:16 mark of the round, Lawrence landed a lunging left hook that knocked Marcello out.

“It felt amazing.  We worked that all week during the training camp.  The left hook, my hands and movement were going to key in this fight.  It worked out.  It worked out great,” said Lawrence following the knockout win.

Lawrence had nothing but praise for his opponent.

“He’s a legend.  He’s got the most experience in the house,” he said.  “He’s a champion inside.  He’s a legend.”

Marcello took defeat gracefully and complimented Lawrence.  “He’s a great kid and has a great future,” said Marcello.

“I hope to fight in the UFC because that’s my dream,” he added.  He pleaded for the opportunity to fight in the UFC in his home country of Brazil, saying it would be an ‘honor.’

Dominic Cruz and team retained matchmaking control and the next bout was announced.  Cruz chose Myles Jury to face Team Faber’s Al Iaquinta.