Hot pink hair, erupting with the kinetic energy of an ADD kid off his meds, fists in the air yelling the charge “Fire the cannons”, John Polakowski almost qualifies as Team Nogueira’s mascot.
Having dodged the eye of the camera most of this season of The Ultimate Fighter, we’ve seen little of the gentle-natured lightweight, baring quick cuts to his perennially beaming face.
Two things you should know about John:
First, he gives a lot of hugs. And not those hetero- sanctioned hugs where two guys scarcely interlock and slap each other’s backs. John likes the real thing. Tight, fervent embraces whether it is with teammates, challengers, or coaches.
Second, don’t mess with his Lucky Charms.
Meet John, meet George
With the final fights announced, Polakowski and George Roop make last hour preparations for their upcoming bout. Polakowski’s in an uncharacteristic bad mood. His easy-going smirk erased because of an unmentioned prank pulled by Eliot Marshall that in some way involved his favorite breakfast choice, Lucky Charms.
They never disclose the nature trick; after Polakowski’s emotional flare up at Team Nog’s training session though, you could say he was acting as if someone pooped in his cereal.
Roop copes with bigger concerns then the defiling of his morning meal: keeping his hand wrist-deep in a bucket of ice, the Arizona native tries to minimize the swelling of a hyper-extended finger caused from catching it in the Octagon cage during practice.
Roop would shred Polakowski, according to Coach Mir, if not for the impotent right fist. With the stand-up game equalized, George will count on his strong grappling and Jiu-Jitsu talents, of which, Polakowski has very little.
George Roop vs. John Polakowski
Fighters typically tap gloves as a sign of respect and admiration; John personalizes this tradition by drapping his arms around Roop and bringing him in for a good, long, manly hug. Far form the type of clinch we’re used to seeing in the Octagon.
The fight starts with Roop throwing kicks – to protect his broken wing – while Polakowski takes advantage, working the left jab, which Roop cannot effectively block. Taking a beating on his feet, George pulls out his weapon of choice, taking John and his freshly dyed flame red hair to the ground, earning side control.
Surprisingly, at the five-minute mark, Polakowski has the dominant position, raining down punches to steal the round in the closing seconds.
Roop comes in hot in Round 2, discharging punches that include crosses with his damaged right hand. His punches don’t have much steam behind them and John returns fire, hurting Roop. John gives everything he has and gasses, lending Roop the opening to take him to the ground again. The second round ends with Roop dropping elbows into John’s ribs from the back position.
Both corners prepare their fighters for the third round; Team Nogueira’s cut-man works on Polakowsk’s busted nose. The judges though, don’t think they need to go a deciding round, and unanimously declare George Roop the winner.
Afterwards, Coach Nogueira consoles his disappointed fighter, telling John “Everyone that watches that fight will like you”. He fought his heart out, ‘left it all in the ring’, and hugged his opponent before the opening bell. How could you not like this guy?
If you missed episode 9, read about it here.
