The Ultimate Fighter 17 Episode 3 Recap: The Knockout of the Season

When UFC president Dana White said this episode ends in one of the nastiest knockouts he has ever witnessed, he wasn’t exaggerating.

After Coach Chael Sonnen announced the match between strikers Uriah Hall and Adam Cella, Cella told Hall that he felt their fight could be one of the best of the season with regards to entertainment value.  It certainly ends dramatically.

The episode showed just how competitive Hall is.  During a Team Sonnen’s training session, Kevin Casey catches Hall in an arm bar and Hall took his head gear off and threw it.  He wanted to go again with Casey, but Casey declined.

“Uriah puts so much heat on himself every single day.  If we’re doing sprints, he has to be first.  If we are fighting, he has to win ever round.  Getting him to understand that, hey Uriah, it’s okay to have some dips and valleys here,” said Coach Sonnen.

Uriah Hall vs. Adam Cella:

Cella came out aggressive, moving forward with strikes.  Hall saw success in the clinch, where he delivered knees to the body of Cella.  Hall caught a kick by Cella and took the fight to the ground, but before long Cella was back to his feet.

Hall used a push kick to keep Cella on the outside.  Twice Cella was pushed to the canvas by Hall’s kicks to the body, but Cella kept moving forward.

With just five seconds left in the opening round, Hall landed a spinning heel kick that left Cella unconscious.  The gym grew silent except for the sound of the heavily breathing, unconscious Cella.  The excitement of the knockout quickly turned to concern for Cella.

As he lay on the canvas, eyes open, unconscious and breathing heavily, Hall said, “I’m sorry Adam.”

UFC president Dana White came to Team Sonnen’s locker room following the fight. “I think we know who’s winning the $25,000 this year for knockout.  You guys had better start going for fight or submission or something,” said White.

“It feels good, but at the same time, part of me feels bad about what happened.  It’s a hurt business, but I’m a human being.  He’s a human being.  I kind of felt bad that I could have possibly really hurt him,” said Hall.

“Adam, I hope you’re alright, man.  I’m sorry about the kick.  I look forward to seeing you soon and I hope you don’t hate me,” added Hall.

Cella was conscious and alert, but was taken to the hospital for tests.

Team Sonnen maintained matchmaking control with the win.  Coach Sonnen announced that Kevin Casey would face Team Jones’ Collin Hart next.

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