The Ultimate Fighter 27: Snatchin’ necks, cashin’ checks

The Ultimate Fighter 27 starts off with a bang, as coaches Stipe Miocic and Daniel Cormier pick their teams and setup the first matchup.

The Ultimate Fighter 27 is set to be one of the best seasons ever. There are some amazing coaching staffs set to train the fighters. Furthermore, some very interesting characters are among those who made it on The Ultimate Fighter 27.

With only undefeated fighters, everyone is coming in as an alpha dog. Nobody thinks they will lose. In fact, some of the fighters have already mapped out how they plan to finish off opponents.

It’s time to get hyped!

There is a introductory hype video, and it’s amazing. Aside from the narrator who sounds like he’s using the voice modulator from the Scream movies, there are also some very determined guys promising to stay undefeated throughout this season of The Ultimate Fighter.

Of course, only two fighters will be able to fulfill that promise.

Introductions are loose and fun.

The fighters and coaches congregate before it’s time for teams to get picked. No shock, but Cormier is really focused on the fighters’ wrestling ability. Miocic is just generally interested without a single focus. After a bit of grappling and hitting pads, it was up to Cormier and Miocic to pick their teams.

Cormier wins the coin toss and selects the first fighter instead of the first fight.

The selections happened as follows:

• Tyler Diamond – 9-0 – FW (Cormier) – Not a porn alias
• Kyler Phillips – 5-0 – FW (Miocic)
• Bryce Mitchell – 9-0 – FW (Cormier) – “Thug Nasty”
• Suman Mokhtarian – 8-0 – FW (Miocic)
• Richie Smullen – 3-0-1 – LW (Cormier)
• Mike Trizano – 6-0 – LW (Miocic)
• Luis Peña – 4-0 – LW (Cormier) “Violent Bob Ross”
• John Gunther – 6-0 – LW (Miocic)
• Joe Giannetti – 6-0 – LW (Cormier) “Skeletor”
• José Martinez Jr.– 4-0 – LW (Miocic)
• Brad Katona – 6-0 – FW (Cormier)
• Jay Cucciniello – 8-0 – FW (Miocic)
• Thailand Clark – 7-0 – LW (Cormier)
• Allan Zuniga – 13-0 – LW (Miocic)
• Ricky Steele – 5-0 – FW (Cormier)
• Dulani Perry – 4-0 – FW (Miocic)

The first fight is picked.

Miocic lost the coin toss, but gets the first fight. He chooses his teammate John Gunther (6-0) to take on Joe Giannetti (6-0).

More from Sports TV

• Who is playing Sunday Night Football tonight, Oct. 8? (and how to watch)
• Who is playing Monday Night Football tonight, Oct. 2? (and how to watch)
• What time is Thursday Night Football tonight, Sept. 28? (And how to watch)
• Who is playing Monday Night Football tonight, Sept. 25? (and how to watch)
• Who is playing Sunday Night Football tonight, Sept. 24? (and how to watch)

The fighters rush into the house. Two guys bite the dusts diving out of the van, and the guys run around like morons looking for rooms. Dulani Perry thinks everything is happy now because they haven’t lost, but things will change drastically when losses start happening.

Pre-fight

John “The Machine” Gunther fight prep

Let’s get right down to it. John Gunther is a very weird dude. Aside from appearance, with a handle bar mustache and a perpetual thousand yard stare, he’s also bizarre otherwise. He sheers alpacas for a living and likes to swim under ice water. Aside from that, he lives in his van (down by the river). Shocker, he’s home-schooled.

Joe “Skeletor” Giannetti fight prep

Instead of focusing on the oddity of Joe’s life like they did with John, most of Joe’s setup relates to the training. Daniel Cormier and Cain Velasquez put him through an intense, rigorous workout. They pressure him and get him ready for the fight. Joe’s home visit is about his dog, his cat, and his gym “South Shore Sportfighting.” He’s doing everything for his father, and seems pretty determined.

Weigh in

• LIGHTWEIGHT

VS.

6-0

RECORD

6-0

6'0%22

WEIGHT

5'9%22

155.5

HEIGHT

154.75

74

REACH

71.5%22

Fight Details

Round 1

John’s movement is really frantic and weird. It’s sort of reminiscent of Clay Guida in some ways.  Joe with a quick jab and knee. John presses hard against the cage. As Joe said in pre-fight, “Snatchin’ necks and cashin’ checks.”

Next: Flashback to TUF26!

Joe Giannetti with the 00:17 second win via guillotine choke. Joe had it deep immediately, pushing hard on both sides of the neck, and it John was asleep before they hit the floor. It was filthy, and the slow-mo showed just how strong Joe is, not to mention how nuanced the technique was. I interviewed Joe Giannetti, so I obviously picked him to win. My prediction record is 1-0.

For the next fight, Stipe picks Kyler Phillips vs. Brad Katona.

The Ultimate Fighter airs Wednesdays on Fox Sports.