Caution this post contains spoilers from the 12th episode of The Ultimate Fighter 6: Team Hughes vs. Team Serra

This is it boys and girls, the moment we’ve all been waiting for; the final episode of The Ultimate Fighter Team Hughes vs. Team Serra. The final episode before this weekend’s TUF finale starts off by showcasing the semifinal tilt between Team Hughes’ Mac Danzig and Team Serra’s Matt Arroyo. Danzig insists that he likes to finish his fights standing up, but, for some reason or another, his opponents want to take him down. Danzig gives his thoughts on his next opponent and Mac admits he’s not taking Arroyo lightly. In fact, he considers Arroyo to be in the top 3 out of the household with, of course, himself being in the number one spot.

The floor is then given to Arroyo who likes his chances going into the semifinals. As the underdog, Arroyo feels there’s no pressure on him to win. However, Arroyo’s hopes of making it into the UFC come to a crashing halt when teammate Richie Hightower lands on top of Arroyo during a training drill only to injure Arroyo’s rib. The pain is unbearable. Arroyo explains that each breath he takes in feels as though he’s being stabbed in the lungs. After a visit to the doctor, Arroyo is informed that he has a slight crack in his rib along with some minor bruises. Uncertain about his future, Arroyo now has a decision to make. Does he throw in the towel along with his dreams of fighting in the UFC, or does he fight in the semis injured? Arroyo contemplates.

The next day, Arroyo arranges an impromptu meeting with Matt Serra to deliver his verdict. After giving it much thought, Arroyo reveals to Serra that he is withdrawing from the semifinals. Arroyo explains that he cannot continue because the rib injury is affecting his ability to fight and, most importantly, his breathing. Serra, ultimately, accepts Arroyo’s decision and breaks the bad news to Dana White. Immediately, Dana pays Arroyo a visit in an effort to convince Arroyo to reconsider. White questions Arroyo on whether or not he realizes what he’s giving up? White adds that words cannot describe what he’s turning down. Despite White’s words of encouragement, Arroyo does not budge. Afterwards, a perplexed White admits that he was very surprised with Arroyo’s decision to quit. In Dana’s opinion, Arroyo’s is a great fighter and not a quitter so to see him give up so easily was very shocking for White.

With Arroyo out of the picture, a replacement is needed ASAP. White and Serra evaluate the remaining Team Serra members to determine who will fill in for the injured Arroyo. Team Serra’s Jon Koppenhaver, Troy Mandaloniz, Richie Hightower, and John Kolosci are all gathered for a brief interview session where each fighter is simply asked if they’d like to fight Mac Danzig (Ben Saunders was not considered due to injuries he suffered from last week against Tommy Speer). Dana is a bit nervous as Koppenhaver, Mandaloniz, and Hightower all seem reluctant to scrap it out with Danzig. The funniest part of this week’s episode had to be White’s reaction to Hightower’s thoughts on fighting Danzig. As White explains, “He (Hightower) don’t want that f#cking fight. The last thing he wants to do is to fight Mac Danzig.”

However, all of Dana’s worries are washed away when an enthusiastic Kolosci storms through the door demanding to fight Danzig. Instantly, White is sold and Kolosci is given a spot in the semifinals as well as an opportunity to avenge his loss against Danzig.

Back at the house, Kolosci informs Danzig that they’ll be bumping heads again in the semifinals. Danzig congratulates Kolosci on the great news, but would later admit to the cameras his disapproval of the bout. Danzig argues that he already beat Kolosci decisively so he sees no point in giving Kolosci a potential shot at the finals with the rematch. The idea does not sit well with Danzig.

Fight day arrives and Kolosci appears to be extremely relaxed and confident. Danzig on the hand admits to being a bit nervous. Mac explains that he is going to have to do things a bit differently since Kolosci will do everything to avoid making the same mistakes he made in their first outing.

The fight begins with Kolosci throwing an array of low and high kicks. Several of the low kicks land but for the most part Danzig is able to check them effectively and back away from danger. As the fight progresses it looks as though John is swinging for the fences. His kicks are all heavy and could be seen coming from a mile away. John even falls on a number of high kick attempts that land nowhere near their intended target. Danzig on the other hand appears to be patient, clearly picking his shots. Eventually Danzig throws a low kick that is caught by John. Mac manages to find his balance and clinches onto John. With partial control of John’s head, Danzig lands a number of uppercuts. After an exchange of knees in the clinch, Danzig scoops low and secures a single leg. With John in the turtle position, Mac throws a number of punches and eventually inches himself onto John’s back. Having Kolosci’s back, Danzig throws some more leather, loosening John up. In due course, Danzig secures a tight rear naked choke that forces Kolosci to tap. With the victory, Mac Danzig advances to the finals.

Up next, the two remaining semi-finalists, Tommy Speer and George Sotiropoulos. Tommy plans on using his size and strength to bully around George. We are told by Matt Hughes that Tommy has a lot of power in his right hand. In the opinion of Hughes, Tommy’s right hand is his secret weapon and he could very well end the fight if he manages to tag George with it. Hughes believes that Tommy is much stronger than George and will easily out-power him. As Hughes states, “George looks weak, or at least he doesn’t look like he’s strong.”

At the Team Hughes training session, Team Hughes is trying their best to prepare Tommy for George’s arsenal of submission skills. Tommy’s teammates are concerned because Tommy has been caught in submission attempts in both of his fights on the show. Blake Bowman points out, “Tommy was caught in submissions in both of his fights but was able to escape them. If George catches Tommy in a submission, he will finish it.”

Fight day arrives and George is confident that there is no way he is going to lose to Speer. As Georges puts it, “I’ve got a lot more options than he does because I’ve got a lot more skill.” Even Dana White is also putting his money on George. As Dana states, “Tommy is a durable tough kid with a ton of heat who just won’t quit but I’m picking George to win.”

Just before the fight, Tommy has a message for George, “George I like ya but I haven’t finished a fight yet so I’m coming to hurt ya.”

The fight starts and both fighters look to be feeling each other out. Judging from Speer’s stance it becomes evident that he is looking to set up a heavy right hand. Immediately George is warned by his corner to be wary of Tommy’s right hand. Not much action from George as he looking rather nervous and tentative. Tommy throws several jabs but Georges manages to outmaneuver them. Finally, Tommy leads with a left jab and immediately closes in and clinches onto Georges head. Wanting no part of being taken down by Speer, George manages to circle his head out of danger. The fight continues with several more attempts from Tommy to grab onto George’s head, but each time, George manages to circle out. Frustrated, Tommy eventually rushes in on George in a desperate attempt to grab a hold of George’s head. Unfortunately, George is accidentally poked in the left eye by Tommy’s thumb. A halt is called to the action as referee Big John McCarthy has Sotiropoulos checked out by the physician in attendance. After a quick inspection and permission from the doctor to continue, George is ready to go. Serra reminds George that he is entitled to take more time to recover but George refuses to delay the fight any longer.

The fight resumes and immediately George is shown squinting from his left eye in discomfort. Moments later Speer lands a straight right that causes George to back away. Without giving George the opportunity to recover Tommy rushes in, circles left, and lands a huge right hand that drops George to the canvas. Sensing the blood, Speer immediately prances in and reigns down a barrage of ground-and-pounding to George. After several flush punches, George is knocked-out cold and the bout is stopped by John McCarthy. Ultimately, Hughes was correct; Tommy’s right hand really did end the fight.

With the victory, the finals are set as Mac Danzig takes on Tommy Speer in a classic battle between technique and strength.

Just a reminder that the Ultimate Fighter: Team Hughes vs. Team Serra Finale will air live on Spike TV this Saturday, December 8, 2007 at 9pm ET.

Missed an episode? Don’t worry; we’ve got you covered with recaps from every episode this season.

• Episode 1
• Episode 2
• Episode 3
• Episode 4
• Episode 5
• Episode 6
• Episode 7
• Episode 8
• Episode 9
• Episode 10
• Episode 11