With both teams now with one win each, episode three of The Ultimate Fighter season 33 brings the flyweights back into action as Mexico’s Imanol Rodriguez goes up against the first Indian contestant in TUF history, Arshiyan Memon. With both fighters being undefeated coming into the bout, this fight is more important than ever to gain an advantage and make a statement.
This sentiment was discussed by Team Sonnen coach and UFC welterweight, Colby “Chaos” Covington as he recalls his fight in Sao Paolo Brazil against Demian Maia in 2017 with contestant, Diego Bianchini.
After defeating the former title challenger by unanimous decision in his home country, Covington showed uncharacteristic behavior during his post-fight interview when he challenged then-champion, Tyron Woodley, saying “I should’ve knocked him out! Brazil you’re a dump! All you filthy animals suck! I got one thing to say: Tyron Woodley, I’m coming for you! If you don’t answer the front door I’m gonna knock it in and I'm gonna take what’s mine” Covington said.
“I just went in there, thinking you know I need to do something different and I went out there and did it and they went from saying hey, we’re not going to resign you hey we’re putting you in a title fight the next fight because I went out there and I called my shot” Covington said.
Throughout this season, Bianchini has been outspoken about his skills in the octagon, highlighting membership of the Brazilian MMA team, The Fighting Nerds. “I put the sunglasses on and I walk because it’s who I am. I’m a fighting nerd” Bianchini said.
The person who has been the most argumentative with Bianchini’s antics is welterweight, Rodrigo Sezinando, who has been going back and forth with the Brazilian Bad Boy on multiple occasions.
With the tension building in the house, the fighters move to the UFC Apex as Team Cormier prepares for fight-specific drills.
On Team Sonnen’s side, The American Gangster welcomes former two-time UFC strawweight champion and TUF season 20 winner, Carla Esparza, as a guest coach. Esparza won all three of her fights on the show and became the inaugural UFC strawweight champion after submitting Rose Namajunas in the season finale.
“It really is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, so leave that octagon knowing that you gave everything you have not only in the octagon but in the preparation to get there,” Esparza said.
To prepare for his bout against Rodriguez, Memon believes his striking and takedown defense will help him win the fight. Coach Sonnen notes how Rodriguez loves to box, allowing Memon to pressure him against the cage and look for openings.
Cormier believes the path to victory is dependent on Rodriguez mixing up his targets from the body to the head. “We know where Arshiyan can be hurt. And it’s to the body, he’s big so hitting him in the head is no point,” Coach Cormier said. “But if you go to that body, he can be hurt”.
Despite having fewer professional fights, Rodriguez believes his aggressive fighting style can overwhelm his opponent to get his hand raised.
With Rodriguez (125lbs) and Memon (126lbs) both making weight, the flyweight hopefuls are looking to advance in the tournament with a statement win in perhaps the most anticipated fight yet.
As the fight begins, both flyweights off fast while each has moments early. Unfortunately, this resulted in Memon unintentionally landing a groin kick on Rodriguez 50 seconds into the first round. As the fight resumed, Rodriguez started to land his body shots,with a kick to the liver stunned Memon.
With Rodriguez taking control of the fight less than halfway through the round, the two flyweights stood back up after a brief encounter on the ground. As both landed hard punches and kicks, UFC President Dana White was impressed by how tough the two fighters were.
With the clock winding down, Memon started to look visibly fatigued as Rodriguez poured on the pressure with a barrage of strikes. This led to referee Mark Smith stopping the fight, giving Rodriguez the TKO victory and a spot in the semifinals.While the contest didn’t go the full distance, Dana White expressed his gratitude, stating “That’s one of the best fights I've seen in a minute”. Even though Memon had moments in the fight with his kicks, the aggressiveness and pressure brought by Rodriguez gave him the victory.
With Team Cormier up 2-1, the next welterweight fight is made as Jeff Creighton is put up against Ireland’s Andreeas Binder. While Creighton has a wrestling background, he’s been known to mix it up with his hands as he’s riding a seven-fight win streak. For Binder, he comes into the bout with six knockouts and has a five-fight win streak.