After last week's exciting fight between Cole Miller and Joe Lauzon, what can we expect from Gray Maynard and Brandon Melendez.  Let's just say that those two did not let us down.  The show begins with a recap of last week's fight and some discussion about it.  Dana White, especially, was impressed by both fighters, as he should be.  Cole put up a heck of a fight against a guy who is destined to be something special.  Look for Cole to have a nice career in the UFC as well.

The fight this week is Gray Maynard vs. Brandon Melendez.  This fight is intriguing on a number of levels, but most of the drama this week comes from Melendez and Team Pulver. 

Before we get to that, BJ Penn talks about how Gray was his first pick and that he has told Gray that he believes he could win this whole thing.  BJ has trained with Gray before outside of the show, and obviously respects his ability.  Brandon does not seem to have the same respect for Jens Pulver.

Brandon actually wants to start training with Team Penn, because he wants to gain as much knowledge as he can from the experience of being on the show.  After a big blow-up and some intense arguing between the two, and Brandon explaining his distaste for the way Jens is training him, the two make up.  Brandon will stick around at Team Pulver and train as hard as he can.

BJ Penn brings a special guest to train with his team: Randy Couture.  Randy seems right at home coaching the guys, and it's no coincidence that he has shown up before Gray's fight; the two have trained together before. 

Back at the house, Cole Miller and Nate Diaz have a prank war.  Given that these guys are, you know, MMA fighters, the pranks are somewhat uncreative.  Nate wakes up Cole in the middle of the night.  In retaliation, Cole sprays silly string all over his bed and attaches a hate note to a pinata.  After this the two tussle a bit, kind of playfully, kind of seriously.  Nate throws Cole's mattress into the pool. Cole throws Nate's mattress into the pool.  Yada, yada, yada....

We get a long segment on Brandon making weight.  At one point he is at 166.  He works super hard at losing the weight, and Andy Wang is there to help him all the way.  When Brandon actually does make weight at the weigh-in, he expresses his gratitude to Andy. 

It's time for the fight.  Brandon is considered the underdog, but he's far batter at stand-up then Gray.  Gray is a take-down, wrestling expert.  In round one, Gray immediately takes Brandon to the ground.  The next three minutes basically consist of Brandon wriggling out of difficult situations.  Brandon gets it back to t he feet, but Gray takes him right back down and manages to land a few punches before the round ends.  Gray wins it easily.

In round two, Brandon comes out fired up, throwing a flying knee or two.  They trade some punches while standing up, but Gray gets it back to t he ground.  At one point, Brandon gets the upper hand, lands a barrage of punches, almost ends the fight, but Gray manages to get out.  Near the end of the round, Gray finally manages to choke out Brandon.

Gray wins in a very exciting fight.

Next week brings the final two quarterfinal fights: Corey Hill vs. Nate Diaz, and Matt Wiman vs. Manny Gamburyan.  We'll be back tomorrow with an exclusive interview with Brandon Melendez.

-Oscar Dahl, BuddyTV Senior Writer

(Image Courtesy of TheUltimateFighter.TV)