Marcus Jones (4-2), a 35-year-old former NFL player, submitted Octagon veteran Michael Wessel (8-2) with a swift armbar to hand his coach, Quinton Jackson, his first win of the season. Wessel came out looking to crowd the big man with punches, but Jones countered a trip takedown attempt and took Wessel's back off an Americana attempt. Less than a minute in, Jones locked in the armbar after Wessel turned into guard.
The quarterfinal matches for this season were then set: Jones vs. Darrill Schoonover; Roy Nelson vs. Justin Wren; Brendan Schaub vs. Jon Madsen; and Matt Mitrione vs. James McSweeney.
The teaser for next week indicated Matt Mitrione requires medical attention following his slugfest with Scott Junk, possibly opening the door for the return of ratings king Kimbo Slice.
If Slice does fight again on the show, the outcome looks to be foreshadowed by reports this week that he's set to face Houston Alexander on the Dec. 5 finale on Spike TV. The Northwest Times of Indiana, citing sources in Alexander's camp, reported that the fight is set for the card.
Alexander completed a licensing application process this week to fight in Nevada. UFC President Dana White has not confirmed the fight, though, leaving the door open for a Slice return on the show. Slice vs. Alexander, the Northwest Times reported, was originally targeted as a light heavyweight contest, but a 215-pound catch-weight was agreed on because the cut was too steep for Slice.
This week’s TUF drew a 1.8 share rating on Spike TV, a slight dip from last week. The average audience for the show -- 2.5 million -- remains the highest in TUF history.
The ratings will likely grow over time. Spike TV released data this week about the number of households who watch TUF on DVR, which is not counted in the overnight numbers. The network said the record-setting Sept. 30 episode featuring Slice vs. Roy Nelson, when DVR viewership was tallied, jumped from 5.3 million average viewers to 5.7 million. Episode one of the season jumped from 4.1 million to 4.5 million.