Sherdog.com's Guide to TUF 8

Last week, Eliot Marshall gave Team Mir their first victory. Before the celebrating had ended, they were already planning their next move: Junie Allen Browning had been itching to fight, and coach Frank Mir thought it was about time he stepped up.

“Why don’t you just pick [Roli] Delgado out?” Mir asked.

“Is that what you want? Because I can,” Browning replied.

“You’re too powerful and too good of an athlete for him.”

At that point Browning was on his feet, punching the air. “I’ll do anything you want,” he said.

“Just crush Delgado,” Mir said flatly.

Sweep the leg, Johnny.

Delgado told his teammates that a fight with Browning was the matchup he preferred anyway, and he asked, “What makes Junie so good? Someone tell me, please. He won a fight to get on the show. So did six other 155’ers in the house.”

Browning wasn’t the only thing on Delgado’s mind. Back at the house, Mir had him under a microscope. It seemed that some of the fellas didn’t buy Delgado’s jiu-jitsu credentials, and Mir asked him about it.

Delgado’s explanation was akin to a presidential debate answer -- rambling and circular. Mir tried to keep a straight face while everyone else listened with great interest while pretending not to care.

“I think the ceremony that Rolando had was actually where UPS came to his door with a package and hand delivered it to him,” joked Tom Lawlor.

Mir went on to tell the story of how he earned his own black belt by breaking Tim Sylvia’s arm.

If Mir was looking to one-up Delgado, he lost the battle. Sure Mir might have Tim Sylvia’s arm, but I saw the video of Delgado’s black belt test online. Delgado had to fight like four people in one night to get his belt. Mir broke one measly giant’s arm, and he is going to talk down to a guy that went all Beowulf on four people!

Before the fight was even official, Browning was chirping at Delgado.

“I think what it comes down to is I have to sit back and recognize the fact that I’m 26 years old,” Delgado said in response. “I’ve already graduated from college. I own rental property. I own an 8,000-square-foot gym and then I’ve got this little kid who’s athletic and has some natural talent with the brain of a peacock, just picking at me.”

The fight was made official, though it wouldn’t be truly official without Junie starting some bull mess. Browning gave Delgado a shove when the two squared up for a photo, then he threw a black belt on the ground and spat on it. Delgado chuckled while Nogueira looked sadder than Iron Eyes Cody. Neither Nogueira nor Anderson Silva was thrilled with the disrespect from Browning.

At the weigh-ins, Browning learned that he was two pounds over. Mir was perturbed at the news: “We just handed their worst guy a win.”

Mir shook his head as Browning shuffled off to start cutting. While Delgado relaxed, Browning spent an hour in cardio-suit hell and was able to squeeze out those last few pounds.

“I think Rolando was praying to whoever gave him his black belt that Junie was not going to make the weight. I think Rolando really is legitimately scared of Junie,” said Browning teammate Tom Lawlor after keeping his eyes on Roli.

Time to find out who is for real, as Delgado claimed he would give Browning the “life-changing” beating he’s always deserved while Browning claimed to be more afraid of his own sister. Delgado’s height was also of note: He was significantly taller than Browning, giving him about six inches of a reach advantage, and it showed.

Browning caught a kick from Delgado and then kicked the remaining load-bearing leg, causing him to flop. Browning walked away and waved Roli up, making it clear that he wanted to trade. Delgado owned the rest of the round, though. Although tentative, he remained effective by keeping Browning on the end of his punches. Delgado also mixed things up with jabs, leg kicks, knees and punches to the body. When he got close enough, Browning got off an occasional punch or leg kick, but most often he just patted his belly in defiance.

Browning continued to wave Delgado on and even gave him a here-it-is-for-free shot on the chin. Delgado indulged. I’m not sure if Browning knows it or not, but giveaways still count on scorecards. Browning turned it up at the end of the first round by landing a solid combination, but the round was clearly Roli’s.

In round two, the purported badass finally showed up. Round one was all hooks and crosses, but in the second Browning found his jab and wilted Delgado with shots to the body. Delgado was still snapping Browning’s head with punches, but Browning was just walking right through them.

With about a minute to spare, Delgado was rocked and fell, but he was able to recover. It was clear that each fighter had won a round, and a third was added. The last round was just as active, but Browning got the better of the exchanges and always pressed forward. Delgado remained game but was outhustled and lost a split decision to the mercurial Browning.

“We pretty much banged it out for three rounds,” said Delgado, disappointed in his loss.

Delgado’s team consoled him while Browning showed some class by apologizing to Nogueira for his previous antics. Mir seemed to be almost proud of him.

So the Browning saga continues. Will he be able to keep it together to stay and fight the next round or will he cause an international incident? We shall see.