Shonie Carter can fight. When you are a veteran of over two hundred fight worldwide, you don't need be in shape. Especially if you're fighting a guy named Rich. The first episode of THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER 4: THE COMEBACK gets right down to business. Dana White, President of UFC and host of this year's show, explains the concept behind season 4: Instead of bringing in new-comers, TUF 4 will focus on quality, veteran fighters who, for some reason or another, have been successful in MMA fighting yet have never fought in a title bout. Hence, The Comeback. The winner of each weight class (welterweight and middleweight) receives a title fight and $100,000. Easy enough, right.
The fighters are split into two teams at the beginning of the episode: The Grey Team ("Team Mojo"): Matt Serra, Shonie Carter, Chris Lytle, Din Thomas, Patrick Cote, Pete Sell, Edwin DeWees, and Scott Smith. The Blue Team ("Team No Love"): Rich Clementi, Mikey Burnett, Jeremy Jackson, Pete Spratt, Charles McCarthy, Gideon Ray, Jorge Rivera, and Travis Lutter. Team No Love wins the coin toss to pick the first fight. Rich Clementi, whose UFC record is 0-1, picks to fight Shonie Carter because of his age and apparent lack of fitness. Shonie worries his teammates by seeming unfocused and, as a viewer, I am expecting Shonie to get his ass whooped. However, SpikeTV has deceived us. Shonie comes out and, while not dominating, takes control of the match early on. Rich gets him in numerous holds that Shonie easily wriggles out of. Shonie wins by unanimous decision. This gives the power to choose the next fight to Team Mojo. All in all, an exciting and fast-paced premiere of what should be another spectacular TUF season. -Oscar Dahl