Actually, Amir seems a lot more at ease with fighting his friend than Brown,

“In a way I don’t mind fighting my friends, is that bad, I don’t know”

Matt Riddle thinks we’re going to see a “bloodbath” between the two best strikers left in the tournament.

TEAM FORREST TRAINING SESSION

Amir works the mat, then the bag (snapping off some very impressive kicks). He admits to the camera that he is scared, that he always feels some fear before he fights. Forrest picks up on Amir’s trepidation and is continually trying to build his confidence,

“Amir is less confident… He’s only vocalizing what all fighters feel, he’s just sissy enough to vocalize it.”

Maybe it’s just me, but I get the feeling that after beating Gerald “the slam-happy” Harris, Amir is more confident than he lets on.

TEAM RAMPAGE TRAINING SESSION

Rampage is at least awake for Matt Brown’s training, so that bodes well for the young fighter. Rampage is really impressed with Brown’s warrior mentality and sees some of himself in Brown,

“If he were Japanese, he’d be a samurai, same as me, a samurai”

The fight is getting closer, so Spike cuts from fighter to fighter to get their takes on how the fight will go down,

Nick Klein, (about Brown) “His technique only gets better the more he gets beat on.”

Matt Riddle, “Somebody’s going home in a body bag.”

Tim Credeur, “These guys are trying to hurt you (emphasizes HURT) when they get into the ring.”

The pre-fight hoopla ends with Amir sounding as if he’s trying to convince himself that he can win. Matt Brown is the exact opposite, brimming with confidence,

“Amir knows I’m better than him. He knows I got better standup”

QUARTERFINAL FIGHT 2

Matt Brown (10-6) vs Amir Sadollah (1-0) *Records include their preliminary victories.

Round 1

Brown snaps with sharp jabs and kicks… Amir takes on the role of counter striker… Brown works a clinch and pushes Amir up against the cage… He tries to take Amir down by tripping him… Amir shows good balance and strength while blocking Brown’s trip takedowns… Brown throws short punches and knees while trying to pull Amir’s head down in a Muay Thai clinch… Forrest constantly yells at Amir to keep his head up, he succeeds. Amir counters with some good knees to the body… He is gaining more confidence… They trade knees, but Brown still controls the clinch… Amir breaks the clinch, and the fighters circle back to the middle of the cage