Bellator MMA's 'Fight Master' episode No. 7 recap

As the seventh episode of “Fight Master” gets underway, there are just two spots remaining in the quarterfinal round. Coach Joe Warren is probably the most concerned, as he only has one more chance to advance one of his fighters into the next round. It’s Evan Cutts, and he’s been picked by Cristiano Souza, a favorite in the tournament and Xtreme Couture member.

Warren and his coaching staff know Cutts is the underdog, but they’re determined to see him through. Bellator lightweight champion Michael Chandler is on hand for the fight, and it’s time to get underway.

ROUND OF 16 FIGHT: Cristiano Souza (6-0) vs. Evan Cutts (5-1)

Round 1 – Souza throws heavy leather early, and Cutts quickly pushes forward to close the distance. Souza defends against the cage, forcing Cutts to back away. Cutts hesitates to move in again, and he eats a big left hand. It stuns him, and Souza sees it and goes on the attack. Souza fires power shot after power shot as Cutts covers against the cage. Randy Couture begs for Souza to make his shots count, but he’s firing punch after punch. He looks to tire, but as they slow, he catches Cutts with a stiff left. Cutts is in trouble again. He hits the floor. Souza again on the attack, but Cutts showing heart from his back. He eventually scrambles back to his feet with one minute remaining. He drives in on a takedown, and the two scramble until the bell. Souza easily takes the win, but did he gas himself out?

Round 2 – Souza lands an early left hand, but Cutts looks the fresher fighter. He presses inside and drives knees to the body. Souza rests along the fence, but he’s absorbing damage as he waits for a second wind. Souza eventually turns off the fence and winds up in top position after a trip, but it’s obvious he’s exhausted. Cutts crawls back up but eats a right hand. Souza’s strikes still look dangerous. The pace is moderate, but Cutts is pushing forward. He gets inside again and gets a late takedown, moving to the back with one minute left. Just when it looks like he’s in control, Souza rolls in and takes top position. Warren is beside himself. But there’s another turn, as Cutts locks in a triangle choke and squeezes. It’s right, and Souza taps.

Evan Cutts def. Cristiano Souza via submission (triangle choke) – Round 2

We move right along to our next fight. Greg Jackson’s Eric Bradley (5-1) and his wrestling prowess take on Xtreme Couture’s A.J. Matthews, who was the No. 4 seed and made the pick against the No. 7 seed.

It turns out Matthews has a lingering shoulder injury going into the fight, but he’s game to carry on.

ROUND OF 16 FIGHT: A.J. Matthews (6-2) vs. Eric Bradley (5-1)

Round 1 – Matthews takes the center as Bradley circles on the outside. Bradley leaps in with punches, looking to get in range. He does it on his second attempt, dragging Matthews to the floor and sliding around to his back as his opponent crawls up. Matthews does a good job of defending against the fence and preventing him from advancing to a submission, but Bradley stays tight. Matthews looks for a kimura grip in defense, and it forces Bradley away. On the restart, Matthews looks to bang, but Bradley gets inside with a quickness once again. He slides around to lock the body from the back yet again. Matthews again defends well, but he’s had precious little opportunity to attack.

Round 2 – Matthews again takes the center, but as he commits to a leaping strike, Bradley slips underneath it and gets into a controlling position yet again. Matthews eventually gets free, but it’s just a temporary rest. Bradley is all over him. Action hits the deck yet again, and Bradley gets to the back. Matthews turns in and crawls up, but yet again he has no space to work. Bradley isn’t exactly devastating his opponent with damage, but he’s also not allowing him to do anything in terms of offense. He gets the action to the floor again, and while Matthews gets up at the bell, the result os obvious.

Eric Bradley def. A.J. Matthews via unanimous decision

Matthews says the shoulder turned out to be a non-issue, but Bradley’s wrestling was just too much. It’s an emotional defeat.

The quarterfinals start next week. Frank Shamrock has three fighters in the round. Jackson and Couture each have two fighters, and Warren has just one.

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