Bellator MMA's 'Fight Master,' episode No. 2 recap

As the second episode of “Fight Master” gets underway, there is precious little time wasted. It’s right to the action as the cast of 32 hopefuls continues to be whittled down to a list of 16 contestants who will move into the house and compete for $100,000 and a spot in an upcoming Bellator MMA tournament and the title of “Fight Master.”

SIXTH ELIMINATION FIGHT: Mike “The Zombie” Dubois (3-0) vs. Rob “Robocop” Mills (8-2)

Dubois walks right into a guillotine choke but patiently waits it out, escapes and reverses courses by launching punches and latching on to his own guillotine choke. The submission is deep, and Mills quickly taps.

COACH SELECTION: Frank Shamrock makes a strong push to score Dubois, and the fighter willingly accepts the invite. Shamrock now has three of his four fighters picked, while the remaining coaches all have just one.

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SEVENTH ELIMINATION FIGHT: Tom “Da Tank” Gallicchio (17-8) vs. Eric “Sideshow” Bradley (5-1)

After some initial striking exchanges, Bradley uses a superior striking game to control the pace and the positioning of the fight. Despite falling short on a finish, coaches are impressed with his transitions en route to a unanimous-decision win.

COACH SELECTION: After previously training under Randy Couture, Bradley admits he’s leaning toward “The Natural.” Couture pushes him toward another camp, instead, and Bradley decides to become the second member of Greg Jackson’s team.

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EIGHTH ELIMINATION FIGHT: Brett “Rambo” Nakamura (3-1) vs. Evan “The Butcher” Cutts (5-1)

The pair starts out throwing bombs on the feet, but a missed spinning attack from Nakamura sees Cutts take his back and quickly earn a tap.

COACH SELECTION: The coaches admit the victory was impressive but almost believe they didn’t see enough to know what to expect with Cutts. The fighter admits he was initially leaning toward Jackson but ultimately elects to become the second member of Joe Warren‘s Rino Sport squad.

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NINTH ELIMINATION FIGHT: Cole “The Spartan” Williams (6-1) vs. Joe “Mongo” Williams (9-1)

Joe shoots immediately for a takedown and works relentlessly for the position throughout the first round. Cole battles back on the feet in the second frame, forcing a third frame to decide the winner. Cole lands a crushing right hand, and while Joe battles back with a takedown, he can’t hold the position, and Cole is awarded the decision.

COACH SELECTION: Shamrock recommends Cole join Jackson’s camp, but he ultimately elects to become Xtreme Couture’s second fighter.

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TENTH ELIMINATION FIGHT: Jacob “Kobe the Stunna” Ortiz (13-4) vs. “G.I.” Jason Norwood (12-3)

Norwood controls with takedowns and also lands a wild right that stuns his opponent. Ortiz shows heart in the second frame and tries desperately to battle back. A guillotine choke looks briefly dangerous, but Norwood turns the tide once again and takes home the decision win.

COACH SELECTION: Joe Warren makes an immediate play for the powerful Norwood. However, he’s forced to admit to Norwood, an admitted man of faith, that religion isn’t a big point in his life. Despite the concern, Norwood chooses to become the third member of Rino Sports.

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ELEVENTH ELIMINATION FIGHT: Cristiano “Soldier Boy” Souza (6-0) vs. Steve “The Creepy Weasel” Montgomery (3-1)

In a battle of American Top Team teammates, Souza scores early with punches and continues to unleash with strikes until the fight is waved off. Despite winning, he’s reduced to tears for sending home his training partner.

COACH SELECTION: The coaches are all high on Souza after his impressive performance. The Brazilian admits he’s a fan of UFC Hall of Famer Couture ultimately decides to join his camp.

The debut season of Bellator MMA’s “Fight Master” airs on Wednesday nights at 10 p.m. ET.