''The Ultimate Fighter: Team GSP vs. Team Koscheck'' is the twelfth installment of the
Ultimate Fighting Championship
The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is an American mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion company based in Las Vegas, Nevada. It is owned and operated by Zuffa, a wholly owned subsidiary of Endeavor Group Holdings. It is the largest MMA ...
produced
reality television
Reality television is a genre of television programming that documents purportedly unscripted real-life situations, often starring unfamiliar people rather than professional actors. Reality television emerged as a distinct genre in the early 19 ...
series ''
The Ultimate Fighter
''The Ultimate Fighter'' is an American reality television series and mixed martial arts (MMA) competition produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and Pilgrim Media Group currently airing on ESPN+. It previously aired for fourteen s ...
''.
The UFC and Spike TV held open tryouts on April 1, 2010, in
Charlotte
Charlotte ( ) is the List of municipalities in North Carolina, most populous city in the U.S. state of North Carolina. Located in the Piedmont (United States), Piedmont region, it is the county seat of Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, Meckl ...
,
North Carolina
North Carolina () is a state in the Southeastern region of the United States. The state is the 28th largest and 9th-most populous of the United States. It is bordered by Virginia to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the east, Georgia and So ...
. The casting call went out for
Lightweight
Lightweight is a weight class in combat sports and rowing.
Boxing
Professional boxing
The lightweight division is over 130 pounds (59 kilograms) and up to 135 pounds (61.2 kilograms) weight class in the sport of boxing.
Notable lightweight boxe ...
and
Light Heavyweight
Light heavyweight, also referred to as junior cruiserweight or light cruiserweight, is a weight class in combat sports.
Boxing Professional
In professional boxing, the division is above and up to , falling between super middleweight and cruise ...
fighters. All fighters applying and trying out for the show needed to have at least three professional fights and be at least 21 years of age. Some of the fighters that showed up for the auditions included former TUF contestant
Jason Guida
Jason Guida (born August 4, 1977) is a former American professional mixed martial artist who last competed for Bellator. A professional competitor from 2003 until 2014, he also fought for EliteXC, the WEC, KSW, Adrenaline MMA and World Extre ...
and
Pride
Pride is defined by Merriam-Webster as "reasonable self-esteem" or "confidence and satisfaction in oneself". A healthy amount of pride is good, however, pride sometimes is used interchangeably with "conceit" or "arrogance" (among other words) wh ...
UFC 113
''UFC 113: Machida vs. Shogun 2'' was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on May 8, 2010, at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Background
UFC 113 featured the rematch between Lyoto Machida and Mauríci ...
Q&A that the winner of the
Josh Koscheck
Edinboro Fighting Scots
Josh D. Koscheck (born November 30, 1977) is an American retired mixed martial artist who fought at Welterweight for the UFC and Bellator MMA. Koscheck made his debut with the UFC on the first season of the realit ...
and
Paul Daley
Paul Anthony Daley (born 21 February 1983) is a British former mixed martial artist and kickboxer. A professional competitor from 2003 to 2022, Daley competed for the UFC, Bellator MMA, Cage Rage, Final Fight Championship, Strikeforce, Elit ...
bout at
UFC 113
''UFC 113: Machida vs. Shogun 2'' was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on May 8, 2010, at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Background
UFC 113 featured the rematch between Lyoto Machida and Mauríci ...
would coach against
Georges St-Pierre
Georges St-Pierre (; born May 19, 1981) is a Canadian actor and former professional mixed martial artist. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest fighters in mixed martial arts (MMA) history. St-Pierre was a two-division champion in the Ult ...
and also fight for the Welterweight Championship that St-Pierre currently holds. Koscheck eventually won the fight to coach opposite St-Pierre.
Originally this season was to have lightweights and light heavyweights, but it was confirmed that it will only have Lightweights.
Production began on June 7, 2010 and the season once again features 28 competitors, with the wildcard slot available, which debuted in the eleventh season.
Cast
Coaches
; Team GSP:
*
Georges St-Pierre
Georges St-Pierre (; born May 19, 1981) is a Canadian actor and former professional mixed martial artist. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest fighters in mixed martial arts (MMA) history. St-Pierre was a two-division champion in the Ult ...
Phil Nurse
Phil Nurse is an English former Muay Thai kickboxer and an undefeated European Light Welterweight Champion, Double British Champion, and British All Styles Super Light Welterweight Champion. He is the owner and senior instructor at The Wat in M ...
*
Freddie Roach
Frederick Steven Roach (born March 5, 1960) is an American boxing trainer and former professional boxer. Roach is widely regarded as one of the best boxing trainers of all time. He is the enduring boxing coach of the eight-division world champio ...
*
Firas Zahabi
Firas Zahabi (born February 5, 1980) is a Canadian martial artist who is the owner and head coach at Tristar Gym. Zahabi is known for his work with mixed martial artist Georges St-Pierre.
Early life
Zahabi was born on February 5, 1980, in Quebe ...
Jean-Charles Skarbowsky
Jean-Charles Skarbowsky (born March 10, 1975) is a French former kickboxer and 3-time European Muay Thai champion. Skarbowsky has been called one of the best ''farangs'' who have fought in Thailand.
Biography and career
His mother emigrated at a ...
* Kristof Midoux
* Cleopas Ncube
*
Gia Sissaouri
Guivi "Gia" Sissaouri ( ka, გივი სისაური, tr, born April 15, 1971) is a Canadian freestyle wrestling, wrestler who lives and works in Canada.
Biography
Born in Tbilisi, Georgia (country), Georgia, Sissaouri began wrestling ...
; Team Koscheck:
*
Josh Koscheck
Edinboro Fighting Scots
Josh D. Koscheck (born November 30, 1977) is an American retired mixed martial artist who fought at Welterweight for the UFC and Bellator MMA. Koscheck made his debut with the UFC on the first season of the realit ...
*
Jon Fitch
Jonathan Parker Fitch (born February 24, 1978) is an American retired mixed martial artist. He has competed in the Welterweight divisions of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), the Professional Fighters League (PFL), and most recently for ...
* Chuck Liddell
* Javier Mendez
* Bob Cook
* Dave Camarillo
* Teddy Lucio
*
Daniel Cormier
Daniel Ryan Cormier (; born March 20, 1979) is an American former professional mixed martial artist, amateur wrestler, and current commentator for the UFC. He is a former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Light Heavyweight and Heavyweight Ch ...
Fighters
* Team Koscheck
:*Marc Stevens, Sevak Magakian,
Sako Chivitchian
Sako Chivitchian (born March 11, 1984) is an Armenian-born American mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter who competes in the lightweight division. He emigrated to the United States and is based in Los Angeles. A full-time professional MMA competitor ...
, Andy Main,
Nam Phan
Nhat Nam Si Phan (born March 13, 1983), better known as Nam Phan, is an American retired mixed martial arts, mixed martial artist and professional boxer. A professional in mixed martial arts since 2001, Phan has also competed for the Ultimate Fig ...
, Aaron Wilkinson, Jeff Lentz
* Team GSP
:* Michael Johnson,
Jonathan Brookins
Jonathan Quinn Brookins (born August 13, 1985) is an American mixed martial artist who competed as a featherweight for the Ultimate Fighting Championship. A professional MMA competitor since 2006, Brookins has mostly fought in Florida, as well as ...
, Spencer Paige,
Alex Caceres
Alex Caceres (born June 20, 1988) is an American mixed martial arts, mixed martial artist who competes in the Featherweight (MMA), featherweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, UFC. A professional MMA competitor since 2008, Cacer ...
, Kyle Watson, Cody McKenzie, Dane Sayers
* Fighters eliminated before entry round
:* J.J. Ambrose, Paul Barrow, Jason Brenton,
Mike Budnik
Michael Allan Budnik, Jr. (born August 8, 1974) is an American mixed martial artist and former professional in-line skater. He competed in the first ten X-Games.
Budnik has been a resident of Sparta Township, New Jersey.Joseph Duffy, Pablo Garza, Toby Grear, Daniel Head, Amir Khillah, Steve Magdaleno, TJ O'Brien,
Mike Richman
Michael Richman (born June 23, 1985) is an American mixed martial artist currently competing in the Lightweight division of the Legacy Fighting Alliance. A professional competitor in mixed martial arts since 2008, Richman has competed for Bella ...
, Ariel Sexton, Ran Weathers
Episodes
Episode 1: Go For It
* Dana White welcomed 28 fighters to the UFC training facility and announced that like the eleventh season, only 14 would get to go to the TUF house. He also announced the return of the wildcard format.
* The 28 fighters then fought to determine who would go to the TUF house. Elimination round matches were for two rounds. If there was a draw after two rounds, a third round would be fought.
* Marc Stevens defeated TJ O'Brien by KO (punches) at 0:13 of the first round.
* Spencer Paige defeated Steve Magdaleno by unanimous decision (20–18, 20–18, 20–18).
* Nam Phan defeated Mike Budnik by TKO (liver strike and punches) in the first round.
* Andy Main defeated Jason Brenton by submission (triangle armbar) at 3:33 of the first round.
* Jonathan Brookins defeated Ran Weathers by unanimous decision (20–18, 20–18, 20–18).
* Sako Chivitchian defeated Toby Grear by unanimous decision (20–18, 20–18, 20–18).
* Jeff Lentz defeated Daniel Head by submission (rear naked choke) at 3:45 of the second round.
*
Alex Caceres
Alex Caceres (born June 20, 1988) is an American mixed martial arts, mixed martial artist who competes in the Featherweight (MMA), featherweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, UFC. A professional MMA competitor since 2008, Cacer ...
defeated Paul Barrow by submission (rear naked choke) at 3:55 of the first round.
* Michael Johnson defeated Pablo Garza by unanimous decision (20–18, 20–18, 20–18).
* Aaron Wilkinson defeated Mike Richman by unanimous decision (20–18, 20–18, 20–18).
*
Kyle Watson
''The Ultimate Fighter: Team GSP vs. Team Koscheck'' is the twelfth installment of the Ultimate Fighting Championship produced reality television series ''The Ultimate Fighter''.
The UFC and Spike TV held open tryouts on April 1, 2010, in Charlot ...
defeated Joseph Duffy by submission (rear naked choke) at 3:33 of the first round.
* Sevak Magakian defeated JJ Ambrose by unanimous decision (20–18, 20–18, 20–18).
* Cody McKenzie defeated Amir Khillah by technical submission (guillotine choke) at 2:15 of the first round.
* Dane Sayers defeated Ariel Sexton by submission (standing rear naked choke) in the second round.
Episode 2: Well Played
* The fighters moved into the new house and immediately, Lentz' smoking and drinking came into focus, with some fighters questioning his cardio as a result.
* The coin toss (red for GSP, yellow for Koscheck) was won by Josh Koscheck, who chose to pick the first fighter.
* Georges St-Pierre hatched a plan to manipulate Koscheck into picking Marc Stevens as the top overall pick, so that his could make Johnson his own first pick. The plan seemingly worked as St-Pierre's wish came to fruition.
* Caceres explains how his love of
Bruce Lee
Bruce Lee (; born Lee Jun-fan, ; November 27, 1940 – July 20, 1973) was a Hong Kong and American martial artist and actor. He was the founder of Jeet Kune Do, a hybrid martial arts philosophy drawing from different combat disciplines that ...
led to him pursuing a career in martial arts.
* St-Pierre picked Caceres to face Lentz, who trained under
Kurt Pellegrino
Kurt Joseph Pellegrino (born May 7, 1979) is an American retired mixed martial artist. He competed in the lightweight division for Bellator Fighting Championships and Ultimate Fighting Championship.
Early life
Pellegrino wrestled for Point Pleasa ...
.
* Alex Caceres defeated Jeff Lentz by submission (triangle choke) at 2:27 of the second round.
Episode 3: Unleash Hell
* Alex Caceres celebrated his victory by getting drunk, but his attitude when drunk was mocked.
* Olympic silver medalist wrestler
Gia Sissaouri
Guivi "Gia" Sissaouri ( ka, გივი სისაური, tr, born April 15, 1971) is a Canadian freestyle wrestling, wrestler who lives and works in Canada.
Biography
Born in Tbilisi, Georgia (country), Georgia, Sissaouri began wrestling ...
trained with the red team.
* St-Pierre picked Johnson to face Wilkinson.
* Former heavyweight boxing champion
Mike Tyson
Michael Gerard Tyson (born June 30, 1966) is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1985 to 2005. Nicknamed "Iron Mike" and "Kid Dynamite" in his early career, and later known as "The Baddest Man on the Planet", Tyson is cons ...
visited ''The Ultimate Fighter'' gym, to see Team GSP.
* Michael Johnson defeated Aaron Wilkinson by submission (rear naked choke) at 0:37 of the third round.
* Tyson later claimed that Johnson's speed won the fight, as Wilkinson was the better boxer. Koscheck also claimed that the fight should not have gone to third round, as he believed that Wilkinson had done enough to win the first two.
Episode 4: Love to Hate
* Tyson talked with Team GSP about his attitude toward fighting and how to win.
* Sevak Magakian and Alex Caceres got into a heated argument and nearly fought at the fighter house. However, they were separated by their fellow fighters before any punches were thrown.
* St-Pierre announced the next fight: Watson against Main
* Kyle Watson defeated Andy Main by submission with a rear-naked choke in the second round.
Episode 5: Disrespectful
* Jon Fitch arrived at the training center to train with the yellow team.
*
Jean-Charles Skarbowsky
Jean-Charles Skarbowsky (born March 10, 1975) is a French former kickboxer and 3-time European Muay Thai champion. Skarbowsky has been called one of the best ''farangs'' who have fought in Thailand.
Biography and career
His mother emigrated at a ...
also arrived, intoxicated and following a 14-hour flight from Paris, to train Muay Thai with Team GSP.
* Chuck Liddell also arrived and shared some words of wisdom with Team Koscheck
* Alex Caceres annoyed teammate Michael Johnson by putting bleach into Nam Phan's fabric conditioner – the very same used by Johnson.
* St-Pierre matched Paige against Phan.
* Nam Phan defeated Spencer Paige by decision after two rounds.
* Paige suffered a broken hand in the fight.
Episode 6: Win or Die
* Koscheck annoyed Michael Johnson by calling him out-of-shape and interrupting him during stretches. The yellow team further compounded frustration after celebrating loudly.
* McKenzie continued to joke around with Koscheck, which annoyed him.
* Koscheck announced the next fight Stevens against McKenzie
* Cody McKenzie defeated Marc Stevens by technical submission (guillotine choke) at 0:17 of the first round.
* St-Pierre matched Brookins against Magakian
* Jonathan Brookins defeated Sevak Magakian via submission (rear naked choke) at 2:04 of the first round.
Episode 7: Second Chance
* Koscheck defeated St-Pierre in a baseball home run derby to win the Coaches' Challenge.
* Sako Chivitchian defeated Dane Sayers by unanimous decision (20–18, 20–18, 20–18) after two rounds.
* The wildcards were announced as Aaron Wilkinson and Marc Stevens.
Episode 8: Kos in a Commotion
* Cleopas Ncube is introduced by St-Pierre.
* Koscheck got into a physical confrontation with Team GSP paramedic Brad Tate.
* Wilkinson received a phone call from his mother, who informed him his grandmother had died.
* Aaron Wilkinson defeated Marc Stevens by submission (guillotine choke) at 0:47 of the second round.
* White and the coaches called in each fighter to ask which opponent they preferred to face. Every fighter stated their interest in facing Caceres.
* The quarterfinal fights were announced:
:*Jonathan Brookins vs. Sako Chivitchian
:*Cody McKenzie vs Nam Phan
:*Kyle Watson vs. Aaron Wilkinson
:*Michael Johnson vs. Alex Caceres
Episode 9: Personal
* Jonathan Brookins defeated Sako Chivitchian by submission (rear naked choke) at 2:05 of the first round.
* Nam Phan defeated Cody McKenzie by TKO (punches) at 2:54 of the second round.
* After Phan's win, Koscheck stormed the Octagon, screaming and yelling to celebrate the win.
* St-Pierre notes that Koscheck is blatantly and obnoxiously celebrating to get under his skin. He admits that Koscheck got under his skin and says it will motivate him that much more in preparing for the coaches' fight.
Episode 10: Spinning Tornado
* Kyle Watson defeated Aaron Wilkinson by submission (rear naked choke) at 3:59 in the first round.
* Michael Johnson defeated Alex Caceres by unanimous decision (20–18, 20–18, 20–18) after two rounds.
* White and the coaches unanimously agreed on the matches for the semifinals:
:*Jonathan Brookins vs. Kyle Watson
:*Michael Johnson vs Nam Phan
Episode 11: Victory's All That Matters
* Jonathan Brookins defeated Kyle Watson by unanimous decision (30–27, 30–27, 30–27) after three rounds.
* Michael Johnson defeated Nam Phan by split decision (29–28, 28–29, 29–28) after three rounds.
* There was controversy over this fight as both St-Pierre and Koscheck argued that his fighter won.
* Brookins and Johnson, both of Team GSP, are announced as the season's finalists.
Tournament bracket
The Ultimate Fighter 12 Finale
''The Ultimate Fighter: Team GSP vs. Team Koscheck Finale'' (also known as ''The Ultimate Fighter 12 Finale'') was a
mixed martial arts
Mixed martial arts (MMA), sometimes referred to as cage fighting, no holds barred (NHB), and ultimate fighting, and originally referred to as Vale Tudo is a full-contact combat sport based on striking, grappling and ground fighting, inc ...
event
Event may refer to:
Gatherings of people
* Ceremony, an event of ritual significance, performed on a special occasion
* Convention (meeting), a gathering of individuals engaged in some common interest
* Event management, the organization of e ...
held by the
Ultimate Fighting Championship
The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is an American mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion company based in Las Vegas, Nevada. It is owned and operated by Zuffa, a wholly owned subsidiary of Endeavor Group Holdings. It is the largest MMA ...
at the
Palms Casino Resort
Palms Casino Resort is a hotel and casino located near the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada, United States. It is owned and operated by the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians. It includes 703 rooms and a casino. It was originally owned by th ...
in
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas (; Spanish for "The Meadows"), often known simply as Vegas, is the 25th-most populous city in the United States, the most populous city in the state of Nevada, and the county seat of Clark County. The city anchors the Las Vegas ...
on December 4, 2010.
Background
This was the first event in the
UFC
The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is an American mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion company based in Las Vegas, Nevada. It is owned and operated by Zuffa, a wholly owned subsidiary of Endeavor Group Holdings. It is the largest MMA ...
to integrate the featherweight & bantamweight classes from
World Extreme Cagefighting
World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC) was an American mixed martial arts, mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion founded in 2001. It was purchased by Zuffa, LLC, the parent company of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC ...
, which folded later that month. It was also the first event to feature a then-contracted WEC lightweight fighter ( Pablo Garza) in a UFC contest, though he debuted in the UFC at featherweight.
Leonard Garcia
Leonard Garcia (born July 14, 1979, in Plainview, Texas) is an American former mixed martial artist who most recently competed in the Featherweight division of the Legacy Fighting Championship, and is the former Legacy FC Featherweight Champion. ...
was set to fight
Tyler Toner
Tyler Toner is an American former professional mixed martial arts fighter. A professional from 2005 until 2014, he fought in the UFC, WEC, Strikeforce, and the RFA.
Background
Born and raised in Colorado, Toner began training in Taekwondo at ...
at this event, but withdrew from the contest, with Team Quest fighter & IFL veteran,
Ian Loveland
Ian Loveland (born September 7, 1983) is an American professional mixed martial arts fighter. Loveland has fought for promotions such as King of the Cage, International Fight League, and the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
Mixed Martial Arts Car ...
stepping in as Garcia's replacement. It was later reported that Garcia withdrew to face
Nam Phan
Nhat Nam Si Phan (born March 13, 1983), better known as Nam Phan, is an American retired mixed martial arts, mixed martial artist and professional boxer. A professional in mixed martial arts since 2001, Phan has also competed for the Ultimate Fig ...
, after his original opponent
Alex Caceres
Alex Caceres (born June 20, 1988) is an American mixed martial arts, mixed martial artist who competes in the Featherweight (MMA), featherweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, UFC. A professional MMA competitor since 2008, Cacer ...
was forced from the bout due to injury.
Nick Pace
Nick Pace (born April 17, 1987) is a former American professional mixed martial artist who competed in the bantamweight division. A professional MMA competitor since 2008, Pace mostly fought in the Ring of Combat promotion where he was the reignin ...
missed weight for his bantamweight bout against
Will Campuzano
William Campuzano (born May 27, 1986) is a Mexican-American professional mixed martial artist currently competing in the Bantamweight division. A professional competitor since 2008, Campuzano has also formerly competed for the UFC, WEC, Vale Tud ...
, missing the 135 mark by three pounds. The fight was changed to a catchweight bout and Pace was fined 20% of his purse.
Results
Bonus Awards
Fighters were awarded $30,000 bonuses.
* Fight of the Night: Leonard Garcia vs. Nam Phan
* Knockout of the Night: Pablo Garza
* Submission of the Night: Cody McKenzie
Reported payout
The following is the reported payout to the fighters as reported to the
Nevada State Athletic Commission
The Nevada State Athletic Commission (also known as the Nevada Athletic Commission or NSAC) regulates all contests and exhibitions of unarmed combat within the state of Nevada, including licensure and supervision of promoters, boxers, kickboxers, ...
. It does not include sponsor money or "locker room" bonuses often given by the UFC and also do not include the UFC's traditional "fight night" bonuses.
* Jonathan Brookins: $16,000 ($8,000 win bonus) def. Michael Johnson: $8,000
* Stephan Bonnar: $62,000 ($31,000 win bonus) def. Igor Pokrajac: $85,000
* Demian Maia: $80,000 ($40,000 win bonus) def. Kendall Grove: $28,000
* Rick Story: $26,000 ($13,000 win bonus) def. Johny Hendricks: $22,000
* Leonard Garcia: $32,000 ($16,000 win bonus) def. Nam Phan: $8,000 ^
* Cody McKenzie: $16,000 ($8,000 win bonus) def. Aaron Wilkinson: $8,000
* Ian Loveland: $10,000 ($5,000 win bonus) def. Tyler Toner: $3,000
* Kyle Watson: $16,000 ($8,000 win bonus) def. Sako Chivitchian: $8,000
* Nick Pace: $6,000 ($3,000 win bonus) def. Will Campuzano: $3,000 ~
* Pablo Garza: $8,000 ($4,000 win bonus) def. Fredson Paixao: $4,000
* David Branch: $16,000 ($8,000 win bonus) def. Rich Attonito: $8,000
^ ''Phan was also awarded a win bonus''
~ ''Pace was fined 20% of his purse for missing the required weight''
Coaches' fight
UFC 124: St-Pierre vs. Koscheck 2 was held on December 11, 2010 in
Montreal
Montreal ( ; officially Montréal, ) is the List of the largest municipalities in Canada by population, second-most populous city in Canada and List of towns in Quebec, most populous city in the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian ...
, Quebec, Canada.
* Welterweight Championship bout: Georges St-Pierre (c) vs. Josh Koscheck
:Georges St-Pierre (c) defeated Josh Koscheck via unanimous decision (50–45, 50–45, 50–45) after five rounds.