The matchup nearly took place in the 155-pound semis on the series as Dollar requested Dent as his opponent, but was ultimately matched up against Team UK’s Andre Winner while Dent took on Team UK’s Ross Pearson.

Dollar was submitted by Winner with a triangle choke in the opening round, while Dent engaged in a three-round battle with Pearson, suffering a unanimous decision loss.

2-1 in his professional MMA career, Dollar was last in action in August, winning by first-round submission. Dent is a UFC veteran, having suffered losses to Roger Huerta in September 2006 and Gleison Tibau in March 2007 in his previous trips to the Octagon, but has won five of his six bouts since, including a second-round submission victory in September in his most-recent fight.

*****

UFC President Dana White announced during a Q&A session with fans on Saturday at the Lanxess Arena in Cologne, Germany before the weigh-ins for UFC 99 that the UFC recently extended its deal with Spike TV for The Ultimate Fighter through 14 seasons, with seasons 11 and 12 planned for 2010 and seasons 13 and 14 slated for 2011. White also commented that he expects one of the future seasons to repeat The Ultimate Fighter 9’s “US vs. UK” format.

[Pictured: Cameron Dollar]

(HT: Watch Kalib Run)

Middleweight, light heavyweight, and heavyweight fighters with professional experience were encouraged to attend the tryouts, which were observed by UFC President Dana White, executive producer Craig Piligian, co-executive producer Andrea Richter, and Spike TV’s senior vice president of sports and specials Brian Diamond.

Last year, 900 fighters tried out in Chicago for The Ultimate Fighter 9: US vs. UK.

Among those trying out for the tenth season were former NFL players Marcus Jones (4-2), Rex Richards (8-1), and Herbert Goodman (9-6).

Another potential cast member for The Ultimate Fighter 10 is former professional wrestler and heavyweight prospect Bobby Lashley (2-0), who announced last week on ESPN’s MMA Live that he’d be willing to compete on the show.

For the latest Ultimate Fighter news check out the MMAFrenzy.com Ultimate Fighter 10 category.

Earlier in the season Soszynski injured his hand in training, and though the hand isn’t yet fully recovered the 205-pounder does his best to overcome the injury, attempting to train as normal while also receiving treatment for the injury.

Eliminated lightweight Dave Kaplan and light heavyweight Tom Lawlor down some drinks back at the house and things go downhill from there, as Kaplan and Lawlor first consume the other’s urine, then Kaplan, who touts that he can’t be knocked out, begs Lawlor to punch him. Though hesitant at first, Lawlor, with about a 60 pound weight advantage over Kaplan, obliges and knocks Kaplan out cold. Upon waking Kaplan insists he wasn’t knocked out despite video evidence to the contrary.

The good-natured pranks of the season continue next as Team Nogueira fill Soszynski’s room with every movable object in the house, but Krzysztof just laughs it off. Bound to get his revenge, Soszynski takes the house’s table, dishes, and utensils out the basketball court overnight, upsetting members of both teams as the house’s resident prankster gets yet another laugh.

The season’s coaches challenge is up next and the sport of choice is soccer. Mir feels Nogueira has an unfair advantage because he’s Brazilian, but Nogueira insists he doesn’t play because he’s so terrible. On the field it’s clear Nogueira is the better player, beating Mir 10-6 to earn $10,000 for himself and $1,000 for each of his team members.

In the fight, Team Mir’s top pick Soszynski, who prepared for the bout with Dan Henderson, quickly forces Kingsbury to submit to an armbar in the opening round.

Team Mir improves to 4-3 in the competition with the victory while Team Nogueira drops to 3-4.

Next week, lightweights John Polakowski and George Roop battle for the final spot in the semifinals.

TEAM MIR

• 205: Elliot Marshall (1-0)
• 155: Junie Browning (1-0)
• 205: Vinicius Magalhaes (1-0)
• 205: Krzysztof Soszynski (1-0)
• 155: George Roop
• 155: Dave Kaplan
  Eliminated in episode eight by Phillipe Nover
• 155: Shane Nelson
  Eliminated in episode four by Efrain Escudero
• 205: Tom Lawlor
  Eliminated in episode three by Ryan Bader

TEAM NOGUEIRA

• 205: Ryan Bader (1-0)
• 155: Efrain Escudero (1-0)
• 155:Phillipe Nover (1-0)
• 155: John Polakowski
• 205: Kyle Kingsbury
  Eliminated in episode nine by Krzysztof Soszynski
• 205: Jules Bruchez
  Eliminated in episode seven by Vinny Magalhaes
• 155: Rolando Delgado
  Eliminated in episode six by Junie Browning
• 205: Shane Primm
  Eliminated in episode five by Elliot Marshall

The 155-pound tournament resumes this week as two of the remaining four lightweights clash to secure a spot in the semis.

Team Nogueira has been pilaging Tom Lawlor’s fruit trays while Team Mir has been eating Phillipe Nover’s sushi. Each squad devises a plan to punish the other with Team Mir peeing in the fruit tray and Team Nogueira depositing some sperm onto the sushi. In one of the grosser moments ever broadcast both teams, as anticipated, proceed to down the tainted food.

At fight selection Team Mir chooses Dave Kaplan to face Phillipe Nover in this week’s lightweight contest.

At the Team Mir training session Junie Browning is angry that his team won’t train with him, so he decides to share some details on Kaplan with his opponent Nover.

In the fight Nover is dominant from the beginning, connecting with a barrage of strikes before dropping Kaplan to the canvas. On the ground Nover quickly finishes his opponent off with some ground and pound followed by a rear naked choke.

The teams now sit even at 3-3 and next week it’s Team Mir’s Krzysztof Soszynski against Kyle Kingbury in the final light heavyweight quarterfinals bout.

TEAM MIR

• 205: Elliot Marshall (1-0)
• 155: Junie Browning (1-0)
• 205: Vinicius Magalhaes (1-0)
• 205: Krzysztof Soszynski
• 155: George Roop
• 155: Dave Kaplan
  Eliminated in episode eight by Phillipe Nover
• 155: Shane Nelson
  Eliminated in episode four by Efrain Escudero
• 205: Tom Lawlor
  Eliminated in episode three by Ryan Bader

TEAM NOGUEIRA

• 205: Ryan Bader (1-0)
• 155: Efrain Escudero (1-0)
• 155:Phillipe Nover (1-0)
• 205: Kyle Kingsbury
• 155: John Polakowski
• 205: Jules Bruchez
  Eliminated in episode seven by Vinny Magalhaes
• 155: Rolando Delgado
  Eliminated in episode six by Junie Browning
• 205: Shane Primm
  Eliminated in episode five by Elliot Marshall

“I said from day one I hate the UK v USA idea. It’s dumb, I don’t like it — it’s not USA v the UK, we’re looking for the best fighter in the world. We put on a card one time, the USA v Canada, it was f***ing retarded.

“I don’t care if you’re from the UK, Croatia or Brazil because at the end of the day, when Michael Bisping comes to America — Americans don’t boo him. When GSP comes down and fights in the US more people cheer for him than the guy who’s from America! When Tim Sylvia from the United States fought Antonio Nogueira from Brazil, everybody booed Sylvia on the way in and cheered for Nogueira. The reason is because in this sport it’s not country versus country. You either like the guy’s fighting style or personality — nationality has nothing to do with it. That’s the way it used to be with boxing, with the exception of Ricky Hatton because everybody hates Floyd Mayweather! But with the exception of that, you never saw guys from one country cheering a guy from a different country. That’s what’s changing in what we’re doing. We’re looking for the best fighters in the world — this country versus that country is irrelevant.”

Recent casting calls for The Ultimate Fighter 9, which will feature lightweights and welterweights, in London and Chicago netted a record number of participants despite more strict guidelines.

UK star Michael Bisping is slated to coach the UK squad while the US is likely to be coached by Dan Henderson. The coaches are then likely to square off in a featured middleweight bout in mid-2009.

This week’s installment of “The Ultimate Fighter 8: Team Nogueira vs. Team Mir” starts off with discussion on Junie Browning’s underwhelming win on last weeks episode over Roli Delgado. Though Browning walked away with a controversial split decision victory much of the praise is for Delgado’s surprising showing while Browning is criticized for his lackluster performance.

With Browning’s victory the teams are even at two wins apiece, but Team Mir now holds the upper hand as it retains the selection of the next light heavyweight matchup.

At their training session Team Mir light heavyweight and resident prankster Krzysztof Soszynski suffers a mild injury to his thumb. Though he says it is likely broken, Soszynski is optimistic that the injury is little more than a nuisance as he can still make a fist.

The two teams hold contrasting training sessions as Team Nogueira has a fun-filled non-traditional training session while Team Mir has a much-differed non-traditional session, completing some “Wanderlei Silva”-esque training complete with snorkels and ice baths.

After the training session Frank Mir compliments Vinny Magalhaes on his ground game. Vinny responds that he feel’s Nogueira’s Jiu-Jitsu is basic in contrast to their ground skills.

Back at the house the members of Team Nogueira prepare a dinner and cakes for Nogueira’s birthday. While their team and coaches enjoy the celebration several members of Team Mir feel the celebration isn’t genuine and criticize the seeming closeness of the team.

After the dinner Nogueira has a brief chat with Jules Bruchez about a potential bout against Vinny and it’s obvious that Bruchez will try to stay on his feet against the four-time Jiu-Jitsu world champion. Sure enough, Frank Mir next announces that it’ll be Jules and Vinny clashing for another spot in the 205-pound semis.

Back at the gym for another training session Team Nogueira informs their coach about Vinny’s previous comments and a portugese shouting match ensues between the UFC heavyweight champion and jiu-jitsu standout ensues.

With the matchup now set it’s time for yet another prank and, as anticipated, Krzysztof is at it yet again, this time creating a mock gravesite for Jules complete with a tombstone, body bag, flowers, and candles. All of the fighters, Jules included, get a kick out of the elaborate joke and admit it to be one of the best in the history of the series.

We advance to the fight and Jules says he’s looking to touch gloves and immediately engage Vinny on the feet while Vinny is confident that he’ll emerge victorious no matter where the fight goes, but is sure he can finish in seconds if it goes to the ground.

The fighters touch gloves at the opening bell and Vinny mixes it up with high and low kicks early. Jules is tentative while looking for an opening and keeping his distance, while Vinny continues to throw a mix of kicks that wear down Jules. Midway through the round Vinny clinches and pulls guard to get the fight to the ground then immediately sweeps into mount. From the top Vinny first tries for a gogoplata but instead transitions to an armbar to quickly induce the tap out.

While obviously disappointed in the loss, Jules is happy he got to fight in the octagon and says he’ll continue to fight to hopefully earn his way back into the UFC.

Teased for next week are more pranks, a lightweight bout, and a “betrayl”.

TEAM MIR

• 205: Elliot Marshall (1-0)
• 155: Junie Browning (1-0)
• 205: Vinicius Magalhaes (1-0)
• 205: Krzysztof Soszynski
• 155: David Kaplan
• 155: George Roop
• 155: Shane Nelson
  Eliminated in episode four by Efrain Escudero
• 205: Tom Lawlor
  Eliminated in episode three by Ryan Bader

TEAM NOGUEIRA

• 205: Ryan Bader (1-0)
• 155: Efrain Escudero (1-0)
• 205: Kyle Kingsbury
• 155:Phillipe Nover
• 155: John Polakowski
• 205: Jules Bruchez
  Eliminated in episode seven by Vinny Magalhaes
• 155: Rolando Delgado
  Eliminated in episode six by Junie Browning
• 205: Shane Primm
  Eliminated in episode five by Elliot Marshall

“There’s been rumors and supposedly news that I’m going to be the coach of the next season (of TUF) with a victory over Dan (Henderson), but the UFC hasn’t actually approached me about that or not. I know that they spoke to Dan several months ago about him being a coach, and that was probably well before this fight was planned. But as for me, they haven’t talked to me about it. I actually tried putting a phone call in to Dana himself to ask him about it, and he hasn’t gotten back to me yet. So, I can’t confirm or deny that rumor at this point … I never say never, but it’s not really something that I’m particularly interested in doing again. But with the right incentive, anything can look appealing.”

So does this mean that Dan Henderson will coach the U.S. team regardless of whether or not he beats Franklin in their upcoming light heavyweight bout? It would certainly be a tougher sell to the audience if that were the case, but Franklin seems genuinely burnt out on the coaching idea and Henderson’s personality (which borders on pompous if you know your history) could indeed make for much fresher and more entertaining programming.

Is it actually possible that the UFC is banking on Henderson this time around and not on their once golden boy Franklin? I thought I’d never see the day.

“He can be on The Ultimate Fighter. What’s he done other than get 10 million hits on YouTube? What’s he done to deserve to be in the UFC? Nothing,” said White. “I don’t consider him a real athlete. He won’t win The Ultimate Fighter. The offer’s out there if he wants to take it, (but) he won’t win it.”

Though White said the UFC could tailor an upcoming season of the series to feature heavyweights to allow for Slice’s participation, the mention was merely White’s latest jab at EliteXC and it’s former star fighter, whose main event loss earlier this month was the final blow that put the promotion out of business.

This week Junie Browning will look to back up his talk, squaring off with a fellow lightweight Roli Delgado for a spot in the 155-pound tournament semis. Both fighters are confident they’ll come out victorious, while Team Mir is energized by their first win of the season and is looking to keep the momentum going.

Back at the house to celebrate their win, Jiu jitsu black belt Frank Mir asks fellow black belt (or perhaps not?) Roli Delgado who he earned his belt under. After an extended and confusing story that leaves everyone in the house doubting the legitimacy of his belt, Junie and Rolando talk smack about a potential fight between the two. Junie is confident, as expected, but Roli feels hes not as good as he says he is.

Despite already announcing the bout in the intro, the official selection is next and, as expected, it’s Junie Browning vs. Rolando Delgado. Junie pulls out a black belt and tosses it at Delgado during the mandatory staredown, then the two engage in a playful shoving match punctuated by Junie spitting at Delgado’s feet. Anderson Silva and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira he has the skills to beat Junie in their upcoming bout. Al Stankie “guarantees” a win for Roli if he follows his instructions, but after he struggles with a speed bag (you’re a pro fighter and don’t know how to hit a speed bag?) we’re having our doubts.

At the Team Mir training session Junie tips the scales at 163-pounds for the 156-pound limit fight, but Junie and Frank have little doubts he’ll be able to make weight. However, the official weigh-ins follow and Roli Delgado weighs-in at 155 but Junie weighs-in at 158, two pounds over the limit. Though there’s initial concerns over Junie’s ability to drop the two pounds, he quickly sheds the weight and successfully weighs-in for the fight at 156, but is wiped out from the quick drop.

After the weigh-ins we quickly move onto the bout between Junie and Roli.

As expected, there’s no touch of the gloves for this one and Junie comes out aggressively, chopping Roli to the ground with a powerful leg kick but allows him back up to go at him on the feet. Delgado rebounds with a string of strikes, but Junie remains the aggressor. Roli fires punches and kicks, but Junie does a good job avoiding and looks for an opening. At the midway point Junie picks up the pace and connects with more frequency, continue to stalk Roli around the octagon going so far as to drop his hands to allow Delgado to connect. Delgado shoots in for a takedown but Junie falls into side control. Delgado escapes and Junie allows him to return to his feet, then drops his hands again and invites more punches. Junie connects with a series of punches before the conclusion of the opening round.

Round two begins and Delgado looks for an early takedown but Junie sprawls out. After connecting with a combo Junie shrugs off another takedown attempt. Still on their feet Junie connects with more frequency, landing a series of punches and body shots that hurt Delgado. Junie continues to connect and Roli is unable to respond with anything on consequence. After closing wearing him down with a series of combinations Junie closes the distance against the fence then sends Delgado to the canvas with a right. After momentarily pounding on him while on the ground, Junie lets him return to his feet once again. Both fighters are gassed, but close the round out with an even flurry of punches.

The fight is all-square through two rounds on the judge’s cards, so they to a third and decisive round.

They touch gloves to start the third and resume their matchup. Junie picks Delgado apart early in the third with strikes, but Roli rebounds midway through the round and fights back. Junie, though, grabs the momentum again, catching a kick which allows Delgado to go to the canvas. Junie is hesitant to follow into his guard and remains standing, kicking Delgado while looking for an opening. With just over a minute remaining Delgado pops back to his feet and the exhausted fighters trade standup strikes for the remainder of the fight.

Junie Browning is declared the winner by split decision, evening the season series between Team Mir and Team Nogueira at two fights apiece while maintaining control for Team Mir.

After the fight, Junie apologizes to Nogueira for the pre-fight, black belt antics. Despite his surprising and gutsy performance, Rolando Delgado has been eliminated from the lightweight tournament while early tournament favorite Junie Browning advances to the semis.

Next week on The Ultimate Fighter 8, Team Mir engages in some “Wanderlei Silva training”, donning snorkels and hoping in trash cans filled with ice to prepare for their bouts, while Team Nogueira takes a starkly different approach, having a fun-filled practice in hopes of gaining the upper hands. The pranks also return, and this time their personal.

TEAM MIR

• 205: Elliot Marshall (1-0)
• 155: Junie Browning (1-0)
• 205: Krzysztof Soszynski
• 205: Vinicius Magalhaes
• 155: David Kaplan
• 155: George Roop
• 155: Shane Nelson
  Eliminated in episode four by Efrain Escudero
• 205: Tom Lawlor
  Eliminated in episode three by Ryan Bader

TEAM NOGUEIRA

• 205: Ryan Bader (1-0)
• 155: Efrain Escudero (1-0)
• 205: Kyle Kingsbury
• 205: Jules Bruchez
• 155:Phillipe Nover
• 155: John Polakowski
• 155: Rolando Delgado
  Eliminated in episode six by Junie Browning
• 205: Shane Primm
  Eliminated in episode five by Elliot Marshall

We immediately pick up where we left off last week as Junie Browning jumps over the fence and into the octagon to confront Efrain Escudero following his victory over Shane Nelson. Antonio Rodrigo Noeguira is able to wrangle him up before things can escalate and the situation cools down, though Team Nogueira takes offense to the situation with Nogueira remarking “He’s scared, and he’s gonna be the next to tap.” and Shane Primm telling Junie that what he did was “the most disrespectful thing you could do.”

Junie’s coach Frank Mir adds “Now you made me look stupid,” but the incident blows over and no punishment comes of it.

UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva joins Team Nogueira for an intense training session (his English seems highly improved), including an extended sparring session with Ryan Bader.

The pranks have escalated back at the house as the teams use itching powder and sardines to irritate their opponents. Efrain had a hard time sleeping due to the itching powder and after a conversation with his fighters, Nogueira decides that something must be done about the pranks. He tries to recruit his opposing coach to his side, but Mir sees no harm in the current pranks. Nogueira and assistant coach Al Stankie head to the house to talk to the fighters, but they too aren’t all that concerned.

Following back-to-back wins by Team Nogueira to open up the competition, light heavyweights Elliot Marshall (Team Mir) and Shane Primm (Team Nogueira) clash in this week’s episode with Team Mir looking for their first win. Marshall gets Primm to the ground midway through the opening round and locks in a rear naked choke that forces Primm to tap. Team MIr gets its first win and improves to 1-2 in the tournament while Marshall advances to the 205-pound semis.

TEAM MIR

• 205: Elliot Marshall (1-0)
• 205: Krzysztof Soszynski
• 205: Vinicius Magalhaes
• 155: Junie Browning
• 155: David Kaplan
• 155: George Roop
• 155: Shane Nelson
  Eliminated in episode four by Efrain Escudero
• 205: Tom Lawlor
  Eliminated in episode three by Ryan Bader

TEAM NOGUEIRA

• 205: Ryan Bader (1-0)
• 155: Efrain Escudero (1-0)
• 205: Kyle Kingsbury
• 205: Jules Bruchez
• 155:Phillipe Nover
• 155: John Polakowski
• 155: Roli Delgado
• 205: Shane Primm
  Eliminated in episode five by Elliot Marshall