Team US coach Dan Henderson announces that Jason Pierce cannot fight. Frank Lester is tapped as the alternate.
In training Lester is seen trying on his mouth guard and discovering some of his teeth are still embedded in it from his last fight.
Debate Over Training Times
As Team UK enters the gym, Henderson tells UK coach Michael Bisbing that his team wants to exercise their option of switching training times.
Bisbing refuses, but offers to let the winning team in the next fight choose the training times. Henderson declines saying he still wants the training times changed.
As the teams line up for the fight announcement, Bisbing walks past Damarques Johnson and squirts him in the face with the water bottle he is holding.
Bisbing says it is retaliation for the “racist comment” Johnson made during the coaches’ challenge earlier in the season. Johnson’s teammate Cameron Dollar steps up and admits he made the comment, not Johnson.
Bisbing apologizes to everyone, but Johnson will not accept the apology.
Bisbing later admits the act was a “bit of a punk move. I didn’t mean to do it. Let’s put it in perspective, it was a bottle of water. It rains everyday in England.”
Faulkner Vs Lester
The match starts slowly with both fighters feeling each other out and Faulkner landing a couple leg kicks.
Faulkner moves in with punches and drives Lester to the fence. Both fighters throw punches and kicks as they look for position. Lester pushes Faulkner off at the mid-way point in the round.
Both look strong as they clinch. Faulkner takes Lester down but he gets right back up. With 30 seconds remaining Lester is already looking tired, but remains just a little busier and a little more in control as they clinch on the fence.
Another tentative start to round two with both fighters circling each other, looking for a shot.
Faulkner advances, but Lester answers with a high kick and punches. Faulkner takes Lester to the fence but backs off. They stand and brawl with Lester having the advantage and rocking Faulkner with some good punches.
Two minutes remain as they clinch. Faulkner backs Lester to the fence, where Lester throws some knees and Faulkner backs off again. Faulkner is now visibly tired, dropping his arms, which allows Lester to advance and push him to the cage. They circle as both fighters throw knees.
Faulkner backs off again but lands a right uppercut. They break and move to the centre.
Faulkner is winded and still keeping his hands low, allowing Lester to capitalize again, landing a straight left to the face and three punch combination. Though Lester’s nose is now bloody, he lands several knees to Faulkner’s face and body on the fence.
Faulkner responds in the final seconds, connecting with several punches and knees.
Surprise Ending to Match
White enters the octagon to announce that the match is a draw and will go to a third round for a “sudden victory” decision. Faulkner tells his corner he can’t breath and is too tired to go for another round.
Bisbing tries to hype his fighter as the corner begs Faulkner to answer the bell. Lester stands, and referee Steve Mazzagatti comes over to ask Faulkner if he can fight.
Faulkner declines and Mazzagatti waves off the match, giving the victory to Frank Lester and Team US. Bisbing is furious, telling Faulkner he will “regret this forever”.
Bisbing Disgusted With His Fighter
In the locker room, Faulkner apologizes to his teammates but says he enjoyed the fight and had a lot of fun.
Bisbing calls his four semi-finalists out for a meeting, explaining that he couldn’t listen to Faulkner any longer. “That was pathetic. He gave up. I don’t want to see that from none of you four.”
Lester is “overwhelmed” by his victory and says, “I’m glad I didn’t have teeth because they would‘ve got knocked out that time too.”
Lainee Hayward - Lainee writes in many genres, including poetry, short fiction, novels and films, as well as editing the works of others. She started ...
