Written by Scott Swerbinsky

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Spike TV and the UFC teamed up a few years ago and started a reality show to promote the sport of mixed martial arts. Little did they know that the show was going to be a launching pad for both the sport and a lot of the fighters that participated. The finale of the fifth season is tonight, has a great main event, and my cousin Scott (who just had a beautiful baby daughter!) is all over it for us. Spike TV and the UFC teamed up a few years ago and started a reality show to promote the sport of mixed martial arts. Little did they know that the show was going to be a launching pad for both the sport and a lot of the fighters that participated.
 
Being a huge fight fan myself and watching the UFC since the very first installment in November of 1993 I could only imagine what was going to happen with a lot of exposure to the casual fan.
 
The Season One Finale took place in April of 2005 and ended with one of the greatest fights in MMA history between Forrest Griffin and Stephan Bonnar.
 
Another one of the best matches ever took place in 2002 at UFC 35. Then Lightweight champion Jen Pulver was a huge underdog against challenger BJ Penn. Pulver pulled off a five round majority decision and kept his belt. The bad blood between the two UFC legends has been brewing ever since.
 
Two years later we are in the fifth season of the Ultimate Fighter Reality Show. The coaches for this season just happen to be Jens Pulver and BJ Penn. They will finally be settling the score Saturday night, live from the Palms Casino in Las Vegas.
 
If there was ever a superfight, grudge match, and must see television all rolled into one, this is it.
 
These two fighters truly do hate each other and can't wait to get their hands on one another. Ever since the announcement was made months ago that they were going to fight, they have been jawwing back and fourth and it is very entertaining.
 
BJ Penn once again is a heavy favorite in this fight due to his outstanding all around skill level. This fight is taking place at 155 pounds and Penn is the former title holder at 170 pounds. He comes in 6-3-1 in the UFC with those 3 losses against matt Hughes, Georges St. Pierre and of course Pulver.
 
Jens Pulver is 6-1-1 in the UFC and lost his last time into the octagon. He was knocked out in 48 seconds by season five fighter Joe Lauzon. The loss came after he was away from the UFC for over four years.
 
I look for this to be a true war. It should look a lot like their match from 2002, two hungry guys that don't want to be defeated. Penn's overall game is going to be the deciding factor in my eyes. BJ should have his hand raised at the end of the night as the winner and get right into title contention in the Lightweight division.
 
The other highlight of the night will be the matchup of Nathan Diaz and Manny Gamburyan to determine the season five champion. The winner of the match gets a UFC contract.
 
Nathan Diaz is the younger brother of UFC veteran Nick Diaz. They resemble each other in many ways. Both are firey guys that love to beat people up and make them tap out. Nate's ground game is fantastic and his stand up is no joke either. He has defeated Rob Emerson, Corey Hill, and Gray Maynard to make it to the finals.
 
Manny Gamburyan also has bloodlines in the UFC. His cousin is Karo Parisyan who is one of the toughest fighters in the world. Manny reminds me of a pitbull. He is a compact guy at five foot five and one hundred and fifty five pounds. His wrestling game is top notch and loves to ground and pound. Manny scored victories Noah Thomas, Matt Wiman, and Joe Lauzon to get the match for the contract.
 
This fight is going to be determined by which fighter can take control first. The standup favors Diaz and the longer they are on their feet, the better for him. If Manny is able to get Nate down, he should be able to overpower him and ground and pound out a win and the contract. I like Diaz to win using his striking advantage.
 
Full fight card:
 
B.J. Penn vs. Jens Pulver
Nate Diaz (Finalist #1) vs. Manny Gamburyan (Finalist #2)
Roger Huerta vs. Doug Evans
Thales Leites vs. Floyd Sword
 
Undercard
 
Joe Lauzon vs. Brandon Melendez
Cole Miller vs. Andy Wang
Rob Emerson Vs. Gray Maynard
Allen Berube vs. Leonard Garcia
Brian Geraghty vs. Matt Wiman
 
Once again we have a fantastic card, highlighted by what could easily be a pay per view main event in Pulver vs Penn. If this match is anything like their first meeting, you better not miss it. I know I sure won't.