Episode four is titled “Piece of Us.”
Episode four of The Ultimate Fighter (TUF): “Redemption” was back on FOX Sports 1 last night (Weds., May 10, 2017), featuring a cast of ex-TUF guys trying to redeem themselves and earn another crack at UFC superstardom under the tutelage of head coaches Cody Garbrandt and TJ Dillashaw.
If you missed last week’s episode click here for our complete recap.
We kick things off with the fight announcement for Team Dillashaw’s James Krause (TUF 15) and Team Garbrandt’s Johnny Nunez (TUF 22), the latter of whom replaced the weight-challenged Hector Urbina on episode one.
Krause talks about his shortcomings on season 15, which resulted in a technical knockout loss to Justin Lawrence, and he feels “robbed” after an illegal knee put him on queer street and ended his TUF run.
He’s already signed to UFC but wants “Redemption” for his previous reality show loss.
It’s coach Dillashaw’s birthday and nobody has any money, so his team decides the best way to show its affection is to glue everyone’s hair to a greeting card — in the shape of a bear. “We’re a bunch of disgusting guys,” Dhiego Lima explains.
Dillashaw also got a cake but sadly, it was not covered in body hair.
Later that night, the gang gets together to watch live UFC fights, which includes VIP visits from Miesha Tate and Clay Guida, among others. Contestant Julian Lane, who used to be a bartender, makes a bunch of spiked drinks.
Coach Garbrandt gets buzzed and acts goofy.
We get a closer look at Johnny Nunez and his submission loss to Ryan Hall at TUF 22. He was actually invited back to the show later in the season but fell to accomplished kickboxer David Teymur by close decision in sudden victory.
Nunez was not brought into UFC following the show but alas, he’s back for “Redemption.” Tate returns to help train him for his upcoming fight, as Nunez is one of her teammates from Xtreme Couture.
Both fighters make weight without incident. Some of the guys recite poetry in the hot tub later that night, but we’re just going to pretend that didn’t happen.
170 lbs.: Team Dillashaw’s James Krause (23-7) vs. Team Garbrandt’s Johnny Nunez (6-1)
Round 1: No touch of gloves and Nunez rushes in with punches. They net nothing as Krause retreats so Nunez rushes back in and trades takedowns for punches. Krause ends up on his butt up against the cage but is able to scramble and get back to his feet. Nunez ties him up against the fence and they trade knees before Krause reverses and breaks free. Left lands for Nunez. Krause with low kicks. Another left for Nunez and Krause folds. He recovers before Nunez can capitalize and lands a low kick, then a knee to the jaw. These guys never heard of defense, it seems. More punches land for Nunez and Krause returns fire butmisses badly. Nunez clumsily pushes into him and they end up against the cage. Krause breaks free. They plant their feet in the center of the Octagon and beat on one another for awhile. Lots of action in this contest. Knee from Krause crumples Nunez and Krause takes his back. Nunez in survival mode and Krause sinks in the hooks. Nunez rolls over and fights the hands. Krause rolls him back over and starts dropping bombs. Nunez sticks his arms out and gets flattened out, then strangled. Fight over.
Final result: Krause def. Nunez by submission (rear-naked choke)
Here’s where we stand after episode four:
Team Garbrandt
Seth BaczynskiMehdi BaghdadEddie Gordon
Hayder Hassan
Julian Lane
Justin EdwardsJohnny Nunez
Team Dillashaw
James Krause
Jesse Taylor
Ramsey Nijem
Dhiego Lima
Joe Stevenson
Tom Gallicchio
Gilbert Smith
Team Dillashaw leads Team Garbrandt 4-0.
After the fight, Krause expresses disappointment in his performance, in spite of the win. Nunez gets consoled by Tate, then talks about getting hit in the liver and giving away the fight because he was “trigger happy.”
The next welterweight elimination fight is announced and its Hayder Hassan (Team Garbrandt) vs. Dhiego Lima (Team Dillashaw). They train together at American Top Team (ATT) but vow to remains brothers no matter the outcome. We’ll find out next week.
See you in seven!