The highly anticipated 10th episode of "The Ultimate Fighter 11" opens up with Chuck Liddell still processing the news that his opposing "TUF" coach, Tito Ortiz, was dropping out the pair's planned UFC 115 matchup.

Liddell is furious, and he tells UFC president Dana White that he predicted that Ortiz would pull out. Liddell says Ortiz shouldn't be allowed to fight in the UFC again, though with a smile, he does say "Unless I get to fight him. Then it's a different story."

Liddell is assured he'll still have a fight against someone after the show wraps, but it appears to be of little consolation. Liddell alerts his team to the change, while Ortiz listens to the rant from a few feet away. Ortiz tells us that the issue goes back to his 2009 matchup with Forrest Griffin, and that he's dealing with numbness and tingling on a daily basis and must now undergo surgery.

Nevertheless, the show must go on, and Team Liddell's Josh Bryant and Team Ortiz's Jamie Yager hit the scales in preparation for their quarterfinal matchup. Liddell states the obvious gameplan for Bryant: push in past Yager's massive reach advantage.

Ortiz is confident enough in his fighter to predict a potential first-round finish, but Yager's teammate (and sometimes rival) Kyacey Uscola warns that there's more to fighting that just talent and speed.

Back at the house, Yager is preparing himself for the next morning's house. Yager knows that he must be ready for the takedown, but he believes the work that Ortiz has been putting him through on a daily basis will have him prepared to perfection. Yager says he doesn't believe that Bryant will simply quit, but "There's no cardio in the chin."

Meanwhile, Bryant knows he's facing a talented fighter, but he plans on exploiting Yager's weaknesses. While Bryant is certainly the underdog, he's undefeated, and he says his competitive nature drives him. Bryant is also concerned about the height deficiency because he enjoys scrapping on the inside. And while it seems logical that Bryant will be looking for the ground, he says the gameplan calls for some striking first, then the takedown.

JOSH BRYANT (Team Liddell) VS. JAMIE YAGER (Team Ortiz)

Despite the size difference between the two fighters the "Tale of the Tape" surprisingly shows that each sports a matching 73" reach. Referee Steve Mazzagatti calls the action after some last-minute advice to the fighters from both coaches.

As expected, Yager tries to keep his distance and speed early. Bouncing in and out, Yager is actually caught on the chin from a crisp Bryant right hand. As the shorter fighter rushes in, Yager fires a leaping kick that flies over his opponent's head. Bryant pushes in and moves into the clinch.

Ortiz calls for underhooks, but Yager maintains control with overhooks while firing off a few knees before breaking about one minute into the contest.

Yager resets in the center, and the pace slows while he looks for range. Yager kicks to the body but is nearly caught again from Bryant counterpunch. Yager starts to open up a bit, but a front kick forces a brief stoppage after catching Bryant below the belt. Bryant rests just briefly before the restart.

Yager works inside leg kicks on the restart, and Bryant struggles to close the gap. Another Bryant attack sees a leaping counter from Yager, though it misses. Bryant catches a high kick, but Yager maintains his balance and remains upright even after being driven backward.

Both are a bit tentative in the final minute of the frame, though Yager lands additional inside leg kicks. With 20 seconds left, Bryant drops Yager with a pair of hooks. Yager recovers quickly and pulls guard as Bryant follows, and the round ends in the position. It's a round that saw Yager serve as the busier fighter, but Bryant unquestionably delivered the more effective shots.

As the second round open both corners appear pleased with their fighter's performance. Yager immediately opens with kicks to the leg and body to open the second, and he leaps in with punches, as well. Yager takes a brief break after a low blow, but opens with leg kicks again on the restart.

Bryant starts to stalk a bit and land another powerful punch as he chases, though Yager fires back with a few knee strikes. Bryant then catches a Yager kick, shoves him to the ground and sets up in side control. Yager works back to his feet without taking too much damage, and Bryant tries to lock in a guillotine choke. Yager pops free and lands a few punches before backing away and having some hanging tape removed from his glove.

With a little less than three minutes, Yager starts again with kicks. Bryant pushes in returns fire with heavy hooks. The two are trading back and forth, and a wide camera shot shows UFC president Dana White on his feet and watching the fights with real interest.

Yager fires another series of knees, but Bryant stays in the pocket and returns fire before working into another clinch against the cage. They break and restart, and Yager hits the deck after a Bryant hook that appears to miss.

Bryant sets up on top and nets a crucifix from side control. Bryant lands a few short elbows and punches, but Yager is flat on his back and appears uninterested in moving. Ortiz yells for him not to quit, but even with his feet on the cage, Yager looks content to remain on his back.

Yager is very slow to get off the canvas between rounds, and White enters the cage to announce the fight is a draw through two frames and will need a "sudden victory" third frame.

Yager's body language is not good in the corner, and as he slumps on his stool, he tells his corner that he can't see. Bryant looks ready to capitalize in the final round, but Yager refuses to get off his chair. Mazzagatti waves off the fight, and Ortiz looks beside himself.

Liddell comes in to celebrate and can't refrain from drawing the connection between Yager's refusal to continue and Ortiz's withdrawal from the coaches' fight.

Josh Bryant def. Jamie Yager via TKO (refused to answer bell) - Round 2, 5:00
Yager is helped from the cage, while White apologizes to Liddell for doubting his team selection at the beginning of the season. White is thrilled at the action in the cage. Ortiz isn't, and he suggests Yager is heartless.

Yager heads off to the hospital for assessment, and White pulls Ortiz from the locker room for a chat. The UFC exec tells Ortiz he's got a doctor's appointment set up for the former champ the following day. Ortiz seems on board with the call, and he says he appreciates the recommendation.

He disagrees with what comes next: White lets Ortiz know his time on the show is done.

Ortiz appears truly shocked by the decision, but White says he had little choice in the matter. With the unique situation of a coach pulling out of the fight, White felt he had to make another matchup for Liddell. Ortiz is visibly shaken, but he doesn't protest too much.

Ortiz avoids a potential discussion with Liddell, and he's obviously emotional as he leaves the UFC Training Center. He walks right by his team's van, and the fighters are left to wonder exactly what is going on as Ortiz hops in his car and drives away.

The fighters stay in the van for a bit, and White eventually brings the fighters back into the locker room. Whit had assumed Ortiz would handle the issue with his team, but that was not the case. It's left to White to explain why Ortiz is gone, and the fighters are "shocked and awed" that their coach didn't offer and words before leaving with just six days remaining in filming.

The fighters are told a new coach is on his way to Las Vegas, though the identity of the new team head isn't revealed. Team Ortiz fighter James Hammortree is the first to stand up and suggest that Ortiz's behavior isn't typical of what they've seen during their time in the house, though he admits it would be painful if Ortiz does indeed bail without an explanation. Teammate Seth Baczynski also says he still feels loyal to Ortiz, and the crew heads back to the house.

Yager makes his way home from the hospital, and he doesn't appear to have any serious injuries. Kris McCray tells him about Ortiz's departure, and he also lets his friend know that the team is shocked that Yager didn't answer the bell in the final frame. McCray doesn't pull any punches as he explains the reality of the team's disdain for Yager and his efforts.

Shortly after, Ortiz enters the front door.

Ortiz tells the team he's been fired due to his injury. As the team listens, Ortiz explains the pain he's in and why he has to undergo surgery on his neck. With McCray as the lone Team Ortiz fighter remain, the coach says he feels bad he now has to abandon his pupil. McCray appears to be OK with the change, and the team appears supportive of their coach as they raise a few glasses in celebration of the five weeks Ortiz did offer the team.

Despite the drama, there's still some business to tend to at the gym, and the semifinal matchups are announced the following morning. In semifinal No. 1, Team Liddell partners Brad Tavares and Court McGee are matched up, while the second fight sees McCray face Bryant.

There's some history in the second matchup, as Bryant defeated McCray via three-round unanimous decision in episode No. 5, though "Savage" was eventually brought back as a wild card. Now all that's left is to determine who will coach McCray.

The answer comes shortly after, and the former Team Ortiz is introduced to their new head coach: former UFC middleweight champion Rich Franklin.

Behind the door are the assistant coaches that will also be in charge of the team now that White wants to "over-compensate" for the loss of Ortiz. Unfortunately, the reveal will have to wait until next week – as will the Tavares and McGee matchup.