Episode eight is titled “Kryptonite.”
Episode seven of The Ultimate Fighter (TUF): “Redemption” was back on FOX Sports 1 last night (Weds., May 31, 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’ve already met everyone and we’ve got two fights to get through, so it’s right to the fight prep. We start with a look at Team Garbrandt’s Hayder Hassan ahead of his wildcard bout with Joe Stevenson. Garbrandt has him doing a “fight simulation,” wherein he works with multiple guys in the ring constantly shooting on him as he works the pads. Cody also warns him to be ready for the “best” Joe Stevenson.
Before we get to Joe Stevenson, Cody gets in TJ’s face about his social media comments. Cody once again does his best HOLD ME BACK, BRO routine as he warns TJ not to “run [his] mouth on the Internet.” TJ replies that he’ll say “whatever the f*ck [he] wants,” which comes off as far more reasonable than the time Angela Magana said it.
Now that that idiocy’s done with, TJ explains that he’s focusing on head movement and forceful takedowns for Stevenson. At the same time TJ makes sure not to work him too hard after his war with Justin Edwards.
Coincidentally, the fight with Hassan will take place on Stevenson’s son’s birthday. He mentions that he also fought on the day his son was born as well and takes it as a sign.
Hassan weighs in at 170.5, Stevenson at 171. Stevenson says that, win or lose, he’d like to get together with Team Garbrandt to pray after the fight. He calls it the first weigh-in where he felt “mutual love” between the teams.
Fight time.
Team Dillashaw’s Joe Stevenson (33-16) vs. Team Garbrandt’s Hayder Hassan (6-3)
Round 1: Hassan comes out moving forward and easily stops the first takedown attempt. As Stevenson circles along the fence, Hassan fires a hook and lays him out with a savage right uppercut. A couple more hammerfists and it’s over.
Final result: Hassan def. Stevenson by TKO (punches)
Cody takes the opportunity to talk some trash as Stevenson tries to wrap his head around what just happened.
Stevenson takes the loss in stride, saying that if he can’t win the fight, he can at least win by acting like a champion. He makes good on his statement during the weigh-ins and, along with some of his teammates, sits down with the Garbrandt squad for a prayer.
Commercial break, then it’s time to announce the quarterfinal matchups. Team Dillashaw’s up 6-2.
Tom Gallicchio (Dillashaw) vs. Justin Edwards (Garbrandt)
Dhiego Lima (D) vs. Gilbert Smith (D)
Jesse Taylor (D) vs. Hayder Hassan (G)
James Krause (D) vs. Ramsey Nijem (D)
Gallicchio gets first billing for the fight prep segments. TJ wants him focused on takedowns and back control, not get so caught up in his improved striking that he forgets his best skill. Joe Stevenson steps him to help Gallicchio prepare for Edwards’ guillotine.
Edwards is confident his striking and wrestling are superior. Cody hypes his pace and the highlights helpfully get pretty intense.
Before they can duke it out, though it’s time for the Coaches’ Challenge. This time? Pool tetherball on balance beams. There’s something morbidly hilarious about the bundled-up White mentioning the cold while the scantily-clad Octagon girls stand beside him.
Winner gets $10,000, his team $1,500 each. The coaches get on their little inflatable rowboats and make their way over to the beams. Dillashaw falls before the game even starts, then beefs it again within seconds of the first serve. After losing that point, he falls without even touching the ball next point.
Cody finally goes down on point three. Team Dillashaw celebrates with the Globo Gym Purple Cobras taunt.
It doesn’t last long, though, and Cody racks up a 5-1 lead. At 8-4 Garbrandt, TJ suddenly fights back to even it up. Garbrandt gives the title drop, calling his wet hair his Kyrptonite. A buzzed Ramsey Nijem starts talking nonsensical trash; as Tom Gallicchio explains, they don’t make sense but they definitely get to Cody. TJ completes a 6-0 run to take the win.
Cody does manage to get some revenge, though. As he and Nijem are making up, a member of Team Garbrandt sneaks around the side and hurls him in to the pool.
Back to the fights. Both weigh in at 170. There’s less than ten minutes of actual broadcast time left, so we’re definitely getting a finish.
Team Garbrandt’s Justin Edwards (9-5) vs. Team Dillashaw’s Tom Gallicchio (19-9)
Round 1: Edwards stings him with a right hand in the first few seconds, then goes to work with combinations. The counters continue to pile up until a right cross drops Gallicchio hard. He shoots and his training with “Joe Daddy” pays off as he fights out of a guillotine and takes the back, locking up the choke in a hurry.
Final result: Gallicchio def. Edwards by submission (rear naked choke)
Gallicchio credits Stevenson, who appears very happy with his pupil’s work. Garbrandt is immensely frustrated with Edwards for going for the guillotine instead of continuing to punish him on the feet.
Gallicchio is in tears as he and Dillashaw celebrate. He promises to use the money to further his business.
Here’s where we stand after episode eight:
Team Garbrandt
Seth Baczynski
Mehdi Baghdad
Eddie Gordon
Hayder Hassan
Julian Lane
Justin Edwards
Johnny Nunez
Team Dillashaw
James Krause
Jesse Taylor
Ramsey Nijem
Dhiego Lima
Joe Stevenson
Tom Gallicchio
Gilbert Smith
6-1 Dillashaw. As on TUF 21, it’s up to Hayder Hassan to put the team on his back.
Next week is Dhiego Lima vs. Gilbert Smith. We get a preview of Smith being a party pooper, so join us next week so we can point and laugh together.