The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) combat sports reality show was back on FOX Sports 1 last night (Weds., May 25, 2016) for episode six of season 23 titled “The Situation,” coached by Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) strawweight champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk and division No. 1 contender Claudia Gadelha.
If you missed last week’s episode get up to speed right here.
We kick things off at the TUF gym where Team Claudia’s Abdel Medjedoub is trying to figure out what scenario is best for his future: Stay on the show and try to become a UFC superstar — costing him a divorce in the process — or give up his dream and fly back to Montreal to appease his angry wife.
UFC President Dana White does something he’s never done before and allows Medjedoub to fly home for three days to straighten his problem out. If he can, White will fly him back to the show to finish what he started. If not, then we’ve seen the last of “The Blade.”
On the upside, it would allow Coach Jedrzejczyk to bring back either Khalil Rountree or Myron Dennis.
After that drama blows over, Team Joanna hits the gym to get 22-year old (and last pick) Elias Urbina — brother of TUF 19 contestant Hector Urbina — prepped for his light heavyweight elimination fight against Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) wizard Eric Spicely.
Classic striker vs. grappler match up.
Spicely shares a heartbreaking story about the death of his girlfriend that will no doubt draw comparisons to TUF 17 standout Josh Samman. The following day he watches tape on his opponent and starts laughing while bragging about never losing a round.
I smell an upset.
I suppose the producers were getting restless because Rountree and his band of merry men decide it’s time to prank the opposing team. That means the tried-and-true baby powder in the blow dryer routine, which ends with J.J. Aldrich getting Casper’d.
She and some of the gals get their revenge by dumping baby powder in dick soup a hot tub full of men. Before you know it, the entire house is taking turns pranking one another and it’s a maaaaaad hooooouuuuse!
Six more episodes … I can make it.
Abdel is back! And to a hero’s welcome! He still won’t tell anyone what happened, but whatever, it killed some time before the next fight. Speaking of, it’s now time for the weigh ins and both guys make the 205-pound mark without incident.
Dana is talking up Spicely like he’s invincible, furthering my suspicion that Team Joanna finally gets its first win.
Let’s find out.
205 lbs.: Eric Spicely (Team Claudia) vs. Elias Urbina (Team Joanna)
Round 1: Spicely paws a jab then goes right for the takedown and gets it, but Urbina grabs the neck and reverses during a scramble to end up on top. Spicely with a tight armbar but Urbina picks him up and slams him to escape. Spicely transitions to a heel hook but Urbina defends and breaks free, then makes him pay with punches to the face. Spicely won’t let go of the leg and gets brutal downward elbows to the ribs. He rolls out of danger and manages to secure the back of his opponent. From all fours, Urbina postures up and defends the choke so Spicely softens him up with punches. For the record, there is zero coaching being offered by Coach Jedrzejczyk. One minute left in the round and Urbina still fighting off the rear-naked choke, with some punches sprinkled in for good measure. No doubt the strength of Urbina is what’s keeping him out of danger. 10-9 Spicely.
Round 2: Spicely opens the second stanza with a takedown attempt (and a swollen eye) but gets denied. He tries to set it up with strikes but it’s sloppy and rushed. He shoots again, but this time he’s able to bring things south and once again takes the back. Coach Gadelha calling for the finish but Urbina still strong enough to keep himself safe. Coach Jedrzejczyk finally offers some input: “C’mon Elijah! Move!” The crowd getting restless and you can make the argument that Spicely could be stood up for inactivity. One minute left and Urbina needs a stand up — then a knockout — if he’s going to win this fight. Instead, he spends the rest of the fight getting walloped. So much for my “upset” theory. 10-9 Spicely.
Final result: Spicely def. Urbina via unanimous decision
Here’s where we stand after episode six:
Coach Jedrzejczyk:J.J. Aldrich
Joshua Stansbury
Jamie MoyleKhalil Rountree
Ashley YoderMyron DennisHelen HarperElias Urbina
Coach Gadelha:
Tatiana Suarez (w)
Andrew Sanchez (w)
Kate Jackson
Eric Spicely (w)
Amanda Cooper
Abdel Medjedoub
Lanchana Green (w)
Cory Hendricks (w)
Team Claudia leads 5-0.
After the fight, UFC President Dana White slams both fighters for their respective performances, criticizing Spicely for running out the clock from a dominant position while also holding Urbina accountable for his inability to escape the body triangle.
Fight picks!
Coach Gadelha taps Amanda Cooper from her squad to fight Team Joanna’s Jamie Moyle, in what appears to be another striker vs. grappler showdown. Can Team Claudia go 6-0?
Find out in seven days!