In its tenth season, TUF peaked at 5.2 million viewers during the telecast of the Kimbo Slice vs. Houston Alexander fight, and overall drew 3.7 million viewers, a 2.4 household rating, a 4.6 in Men 18-34 and was the most-watched show on cable with Men 18-34 and Men 18-49 for the day.

The finale was the most watched live UFC event for 2009, and ranks third all-time.

Season 10 as a whole was the most watched season in the show’s history. The series drew an average of 3.4 million viewers as compared to an average of 2 million viewers for the previous nine seasons.

In tonight’s two-hour special broadcast on Spike, Schaub defeated Marcus Jones by first round knockout to advance to the finals.  After getting taken down and mounted by Jones, Schaub eventually got to his feet and landed a big punch that dropped Jones.  Schaub commenced to rain down punches until the referee jumped-in to halt the bout.

Nelson faced James McSweeney, and was able to ground and pound McSweeney for a TKO victory.  After some standup that McSweeney seemed to get the best of, Nelson caught the Brit with an overhand right and followed it up with a takedown.  Nelson was able to work McSweeney into the crucifix position, and similar to his match with Kimbo Slice, the referee stopped the bout after repeated strikes to the head of McSweeney.

Schaub and Nelson will meet on the main card at The Ultimate Fighter Finale, which will be broadcast live at 9pm EST on Spike.

The two hour special will include the last two quarterfinal matchups, followed by the semifinals.

Left to fight in the quarterfinals are Matt Mitrione vs. James McSweeney and Marcus Jones vs. Darrill Schoonover. The winner’s of those fights will face either Roy Nelson or Brendan Schaub, both of whom have already advanced.

At the conclusion of tonight’s show, in addition to revealing who will fight in the finals, it will also be revealed who Kimbo Slice will be fighting at the TUF Finale, as well as the other matchups to happen this Saturday.

The Ultimate Fighter Finale will take place Saturday, December 5th and will be broadcast live on Spike at 9pm EST.

For a list of fight’s confirmed for the TUF Finale, check here.

Mike: Hell yeah I was. They told me he was good/decent on the ground. So I was thinking I was the same on the ground so we would be evenly matched. He pulled that armbar out of nowhere. I had to wait to watch it on the show to even see where it came from.

But, that’s what makes this reality TV and not real fighting.  You have time to study your opponent in real fighting and there I had no clue about him.  But, I am the one that messed up. My hands are better and I should have stood and banged it out instead of going for a leg trip. I messed my game plan up and I lost because of it, so I’m the jackass. But I think Marcus is a great fighter and a great guy. He will be a force in this game.

BumpyKnuckle.com: What are your thoughts on how Roy is being portrayed?  Is he really as full of himself as the TV show edits?

Mike: I really never in my life thought that I would have to tell anyone that Roy is a good guy. If anything I figured I would come off more of a douche than Roy.

But it’s funny because he laughs about it and so do I. We laugh because there is always a reason for Dana’s hater-aid. Dana has a set up for all of the put downs for Roy. But I can’t talk about that (laughs).

Roy is not full of himself he is just very confident in his abilities. Roy gets asked by the top athletes to show them what he knows, but that’s not what people see. They just see how they edit Roy, which honestly if you were not there you would say he is a dick. But, in real life he’s a pretty kick ass guy and would do anything for you.

BumpyKnuckle.com: Was there tension between Justin Wren and Roy in practice after the fight?

Mike: No, not at all. They went back to being friends and played cards against each other like normal. Roy and I were always partners and Justin and Darrill were partners so they had some kind of competition everyday anyway.  But it wasn’t until after the show that I think tension happened. Roy really likes Justin and I don’t think Justin really kept in touch with him or anyone for that matter. But, it is what it is.

BumpyKnuckle.com: Did you feel the judges got it right in the decision between Justin and Roy, or should there have been a third round?

Mike: I have no doubt that the judges made the correct decision.  Roy controlled the fight and only threw his left hand when he had to. Roy kept Justin at bay with his jabs. He landed so many jabs that Justin could only throw haymakers and I think that wore him out more.

Roy is the only fighter in the house that has stuck with his game plan. Roy comes in and goes off what the other fighter does. In this case Roy didn’t have to do much except control the fight with the jab while Justin wore himself out.

BumpyKnuckle.com: Was the general consensus that Matt Mitrione was faking or exaggerating his injuries?

Mike: What a fucking douche is the general consensus. All the fighters thought it, as well as the coaches. There is nothing worse than have a distracting teammate. I was out of the competition but it still annoyed the shit out of me to where I stayed away from his talking and faking bullshit. He truly is a giant vagina.

BumpyKnuckle.com: At this point were you rooting for anybody in particular in the upcoming fights?

Mike: I really just wanted to see good fights. I really cared for our team to win, but part of me wanted Marcus to win it all too, because he beat me and if I lose I want to lose to the champ. But I didn’t want anyone hurt so they could beat the shit outta Matt (laughs).

BumpyKnuckle.com: Anyone you especially wanted to lose?

Mike: Matt. He didn’t want to fight and that bothers me. Anytime you have a fighter that comes up with excuses not to train or fake brain damage to not fight, he probably should not be allowed to fight. They should have let the bitch sit and let Kimbo and I fight it out to get back in the tourney. But, dramatic douche bags are good for reality TV so I guess I don’t know shit.

BumpyKnuckle.com: At this point in the show, who did you think had the best chance of winning the contract and why?

Mike: Roy or Marcus.  Roy has the best experience and Marcus surprised everyone. So that’s whom I thought at that time would make it to the finals. But I really didn’t care because I was out of it; I was more of a fan watching and wanted to see good fights.

BumpyKnuckle.com: How did you work things out in training with so many guys from your team fighting each other?

Mike: Everyone just did their own thing and helped each other out. We pretty much got along except for Matt. So when they needed me as a body I would help.  But they pretty much stayed away from each other because if they won they might have to fight the guy they helped. It was a cluster fuck in a way.

If Rampage would have let some of his guys train with us it would have made it better but he’s a selfish dick too, or was on the show, so I didn’t expect him to do the right thing for the fighters.

BumpyKnuckle.com: Other than the coaches, there hasn’t been any real pranks going on like there normally is on TUF.  It was reported that Kimbo’s managers had expressed to the UFC a worry over someone cutting his beard.  Is that true?

Mike: I don’t know what the producers worried about with Kimbo.  I don’t know what they even talked about nor did I give a shit what they worried about for Kimbo. For the most part we were all adults with families and responsibilities. We were all idiots at one point in the show or at sometime during the filming, but we didn’t really care to mess with each other because we were all men that were just sick of being there. Except for Zak, that kid got it everyday and it didn’t stop till he left the house. That kid needs to learn how to stick up for himself.

BumpyKnuckle.com: Were you guys surprised at how good Marcus looked on the ground?

Zak: No I was not, he has great hips and his armbar is his bread and butter.  He would go for that all the time when we rolled or did full MMA sparring. 

BumpyKnuckle.com: Is Marcus’ expertise on the ground?  Up to this point we know he’s big, but they haven’t mentioned much on his overall skills.

Zak: He is really good on the ground; it is by far his strong suit.

BumpyKnuckle.com: How much damage was done to Mike Wessel’s arm?

Zak: It was messed up; he just had to rest and ice.  It was his whole arm not just his elbow, his shoulder was messed up also.

BumpyKnuckle.com: Were you thinking about training with Rashad when he offered to help you guys train?

Zak: No I would never disrespect my coach like that.  Any other time or scenario I would have jumped at the opportunity to train with Phil Nurse and all the other coaches that Rashad had brought in.

BumpyKnuckle.com: Did anything change in terms of training now that the quarterfinals were set?

Zak: No not really.  We still practiced; it was just more focused on Marcus.

BumpyKnuckle.com: Do you think Rampage has been portrayed as the “bad guy?”

Zak: No, just a bad coach, and by his own admission he is not a coach.

BumpyKnuckle.com: Was it hard continuing to train and be in the house after being eliminated?

Zak: Yes but you just have to get all you can out of the rest of the time and also be ready if the opportunity arises to get a second shot.

BumpyKnuckle.com: How did the experience affect the way you look at the UFC and MMA in general?

Zak: It showed me that I need a lot of work.  I knew I needed work on my ground but it showed me how much work I really need to do.  I have to go back to the drawing board and do the work I need to do.

BumpyKnuckle.com: Anything you’d like to say about the experience or anything in particular you want to say to those watching the show?

Zak: It was a great opportunity and I would do it again in a heartbeat even though all the BS with Sims and the seclusion.  It was a once-in-a-lifetime thing and I will always remember it.

Zak: I was extremely surprised he lost.  He is a UFC vet and Matt has not fought a lot.  Matt showed he came to fight and he came out the victor.

BumpyKnuckle.com: Was Rampage more upset with the loss or the decision from the judges?

Zak: The loss was bad but the judges scores is why he snapped.  It was the same score as James and Wes Shivers’ fight.

BumpyKnuckle.com: Did you think it should’ve gone a third round?

Zak: I do. Matt won the first and Scott won the second.  I don’t know how the third would have gone but there should have been one.

BumpyKnuckle.com: What do you think went wrong for Junk in that fight?

Zak: He threw technique out the door as soon as he got knocked down.  He just started brawling.

BumpyKnuckle.com: Was the back and forth between Rampage and Rashad a distraction to you guys?

Zak: I tried to ignore it; it was stupid and childish.  It cut into our practice time every damn day.

BumpyKnuckle.com: How much of an advantage has it been for Team Rashad to be in control of the matchups this whole time?

Zak: It has been a real big advantage.  They knew what was going on and we had no idea.

BumpyKnuckle.com: Rampage recently stated that he’s unhappy with the editors of the show and how he feels they’ve made him look like a “bad guy.”  How much does the editing effect the outcome of how you guys are portrayed?

Zak: I do not know.  All I know is Rampage is a great guy.  He is funny and great to be around.  He is truly a nice guy.

BumpyKnuckle.com: How were you feeling at this point being secluded in the house for so long?

Zak: I was going a little stir crazy.  It did not help with all the drama either.  I am an extremely introverted person who likes to keep to myself for the most part. 

BumpyKnuckle.com: Do you think that being away from everything in the house helps or hurts you going into a fight?

Zak: It is so different than any other experience that I have ever had.  I don’t know if it hurt or helped, it was just really different.

Zak: It was good to get airtime and see myself and see what I looked like on camera.  It showed Wes trying to torment me again and that stupid calendar but that just shows how immature the other guys were and are.

BumpyKnuckle.com: It seems that you were mainly just trying to stick to yourself.  Do you think some of the guys took that as a weakness?

Zak: I do. I even said that in one of my confessionals.  They were bored and were just looking to do something and they thought acting like douche bags would be fun.

BumpyKnuckle.com: I think a lot of people were actually happy to see Darrill stand up to Rampage.  Were things actually as heated as they showed on TV?

Zak: They were, it was ridiculous. I thought Darrill was going to hit Rampage and vice-versa.

BumpyKnuckle.com: I’m assuming that Rampage was constantly insulting Darrill.  Were there a lot of other things Rampage was doing to him that weren’t shown?

Zak: No, just the titties comments over and over every time they saw each other.

BumpyKnuckle.com: Which portrait was your favorite in the painting that was made?

Zak: I thought Rashad as the WB frog was funny, but Justin as a bird was really funny as well.

BumpyKnuckle.com: What does that big tattoo on your back say?

Zak: The one on my back is an angel that says “Christ strengthens me” and a cross with the Boondock Saints prayer.

BumpyKnuckle.com: What were your thoughts when you were picked to fight Darrill?

Zak: Finally I get to fight.

BumpyKnuckle.com: Going into the fight, did you have any particular gameplan?

Zak: Takedown and ground and pound.  That was the plan.

BumpyKnuckle.com: Can you describe the atmosphere as far as when you were getting ready to come out of the locker room, and then walking out and entering the Octagon for the first time?

Zak: It is so amazing, it’s been my dream to be in the UFC ever since I started fighting.  Being on TUF and putting those gloves on and getting ready isn’t the same but it is close so my heart was pounding.  It is an amazing feeling.

BumpyKnuckle.com: It has to be fairly intimidating knowing Dana White is watching, not to mention it will be on TV.  Is it a pretty nerve-racking experience?

Zak: It is but it isn’t at the same time.  You have to put it out of your mind and just fight.

BumpyKnuckle.com: It looked like you got a little comfortable once you got on top of Darrill even though you were in a dangerous spot.  Did you realize the danger you were in?

Zak: I just got too comfortable in a bad position and I paid for it. 

BumpyKnuckle.com: Obviously you were disappointed with the loss.  Did you take anything positive from the fight?

Zak: Yes I did. After watching it over and over, and losing like that and it being shown on Spike, I know I will never get triangled again.

Zak: It was amazing to actually get some air time but the way it happened sucked.

BumpyKnuckle.com: How does it feel being on the show and not having control how you’re portrayed, or how the episode is edited?

Zak: It is horrible not knowing what is going to be on and how they are going to portray you.  It is stressful, very stressful.

BumpyKnuckle.com: Were you at all aware of some of the things that were said about you by other guys previous to the show airing?

Zak: No I wasn’t and I am glad I didn’t. I am pissed about some of the things.

BumpyKnuckle.com: What happened with you passing out in training?  Was it a choke or dehydration or something?

Zak: It was a choke. Wes got me in a triangle and I went out while I was trying to get out of it.  I did not want oxygen; the EMT made me put the mask on.

BumpyKnuckle.com: They showed a little bit of Marcus and his reaction to not being picked. Did he genuinely think he was going to get chosen?

Zak: He did and he was really upset.  He wanted to fight bad and he wanted to show Rashad and the other guys that he was a fighter, not big baby.

BumpyKnuckle.com: Matt Mitrione–faking the injury or not?

Zak: I don’t know.  It looks like he is though because he is playing catch and shooting hoops.

BumpyKnuckle.com: You had to be surprised that Wes Sims lost.  Any idea on what happened to him in there?

Zak: He got caught in a tight choke.  I really do not know what happened other than that.

BumpyKnuckle.com: Do you think Wes overlooked Justin?

Zak: I think he did. Justin kind of flew under our coach’s radar and he proved he was a good fighter.

BumpyKnuckle.com: At this point, is it just more talent on Rashad’s side, or do you think that coaching has something to do with it?

Zak: I think that it’s both.  You can’t take anything away from the guys that have won thus far.

Main Card

Roy Nelson vs. Brendan Schaub
Matt Hamill vs. Jon Jones
Kimbo Slice vs. Houston Alexander
Frankie Edgar vs. Matt Veach
Marcus Jones vs. Matt Mitrione

Undercard

James McSweeney vs. Darrill Schoonover
Justin Wren vs. Jon Madsen
Brian Stann vs. Rodney Wallace
John Howard vs. Dennis Hallman
Mark Bocek vs. Joe Brammer

The episode opened with a look at both teams as they prepare for the next fight.  Thrown in the mix were some interesting looks at Matt Mitrione as he struggled with a shoulder injury, as well as some of the struggles that Team Rampage member Zak Jensen was having in and out of the gym.

Moving on to the fights, Rashad remained in control of the picks, and selected Justin Wren to face off against Wes Sims.

Wren, who trains out of former UFC contender Travis Lutter’s gym, excels on the ground and expected to be able to control Sims.  Sims, a veteran fighter who has previously fought in the UFC, is well rounded and at 6’10” has a distinct reach advantage over Wren.

As the fight began, Wren stuck to his gameplan and shot-in on Sims attempting a takedown.  Sims was able to stuff the initial takedown; however Wren continued his attack and was able to put Sims on his back.

Wren quickly improved his position, gaining the full mount on Sims.  He then just as quickly moved to side control, locking in an arm triangle in the process.  Sims fought the choke and referee Herb Dean had to check to see if Sims was conscious.  After assuring Dean he was okay, a few moments later he went limp and the fight was stopped.

Wren displayed excellent jiu-jitsu skills, coming out victorious and pushing Team Rashad’s record to 5-0.

Again, Team Rashad will be making the fight selections next week as they look to remain undefeated.

To review past episodes, or for more information on each TUF castmate, check out our TUF 10 section.