THE CANADIAN PRESS
Coaches Jason (Mayhem) Miller and Michael Bisping each record a win while Winnipeg bantamweight Roland Delorme deals with a nasty foot infection on the latest episode of Season 14 of "The Ultimate Fighter."
In Episode 6 of the MMA reality TV show, which aired Wednesday night, Miller bantamweight John Dodson wins a decision over Bisping’s John (Prince) Albert to increase Miller’s lead to 5-2.
Earlier in the episode, Bisping featherweight Diego Brandao knocks out Seven Siler in the first round.
The bad blood builds between the two coaches as Bisping runs his mouth after his team wins. Miller, a colourful character who rarely plays the shrinking violet, is biting his lip by the time the episode ends.
In the opening bout, Brandao ignores the agreed-upon strategy and rushes the Miller fighter from the opening bell. Siler survives but the Brazilian continues his wild attack, quickly flooring Siler with a left hook for the win.
"Is that dude nasty or what?" says an impressed UFC president Dana White.
"He’s an animal," Bisping says of Brandao, a Brazilian who chose mixed martial arts and family responsibility over guns and drugs at the request of his ailing father.
Dodson uses his speed, inside leg kicks and knees to wear down Albert in a frenetic first round.
The five-foot-three Dodson, who is giving up five inches in height, dials down the intensity in the second round but still holds an edge over the tiring Albert.
"Yeah I was fighting a conservative fight, I’m not going to lie," says Dodson.
The precocious Dodson has worn his welcome thin with his Miller teammates because of his closeness to Team Bisping. But the win seems to win him back some affection.
Miller calls his fighter "talented but lazy."
"The guy is pure energy, condensed in that micro-frame."
A tearful Albert, meanwhile, is left dealing with his dashed fighting dream.
"I came on this show to win, not to be on TV," he says. "I wanted this to be my life, I don’t want to go back to work. It sucks. I trained hard and I fought hard."
Delorme, meanwhile, visits the emergency room while Bisping announces the Canadian is due to fight the brash T.J. Dillashaw in the last of the preliminary 135-pound fights.
"Roland’s not here," Miller explains to Bisping and the assembled fighters. "He’s got an issue. But he’ll go through with the fight."
What Delorme has is an ugly swollen foot, which the coaches suspect is infected.
"That’s not normal," says Miller after taking a close look.
The Delorme-Dillashaw matchup is set for next week’s episode.
Bisping has proved to be a mouthy winner on the show, prompting harsh words from Miller assistant coach Ryan Parsons.
Says Parsons: "You’re the type of guy who can’t keep his mouth shut, which is why you are the most hated fighter in the UFC. I get it now."
Bisping replies: "And I earn a lot more money than you."
Miller and Bisping are slated to square off on the live finale on Dec. 3.
