Welcome, everybody, to the fifth version of The TUF Stuff!
Every week, I’ll be guiding you thru a recap of this season’s version of The Final Fighter, offering updates on what occurs in every episode — from the drama and storylines out of the Octagon, to the appears to be like into who the competing fighters are, to what goes down contained in the cage.
This season celebrates the twentieth anniversary of TUF. That inaugural season from 2005 helped to affect many future MMA followers, media members, and fighters (yours actually included). And now, two extra fighters this summer time will get the chance to name themselves TUF champions when it’s all mentioned and carried out.
Final week noticed the second welterweight matchup of the season, as Group Cormier’s Jeff Creighton defeated Group Sonnen’s Andreaas Binder, even after a weight drawback with Andreaas considerably lacking weight.
Recap of The Final Fighter Season 33 – Episode 5
Tonight’s matchup at flyweight will see Group Cormier’s Alibi Idiris will tackle Group Sonnen’s Furkatbek Yokubov.
Let’s get into episode 5 of The Final Fighter!
TUF Home
Yokubov explains how his Islamnic religion ensures that he stays humble and stays pushed, in addition to the 5 occasions he and different Muslim combatants pray. He provides that whereas he dislikes having to combat somebody he respect like Idiris, issues change as soon as the cage door closes.
Group Cormier Coaching Session – Brandon Moreno Joins
Brandon Moreno, an alumnus of season 24 of TUF, joins Group Cormier for his or her coaching. Moreno was the sixteenth ranked fighter of the season — that includes a group of regional flyweight champions — shedding to Alexandre Pantoja. In fact, Moreno would go previous his projections and ended up changing into UFC flyweight champion on two events.
Moreno tells the staff that it doesn’t matter in the event that they don’t come out on high ultimately — it’s all about what they do in coaching in and after the competitors.
“In the event you lose, don’t cease working arduous,” Moreno tells them. “It’s going to construct you as an individual and as a human being.”
Moreno goes into the secrets and techniques of his boxing and footwork, in addition to how he makes use of it to arrange his wrestling.
Alibi Idiris Backstory
Idiris exhibits Danill a photograph of his brother and his youngsters. Idiris explains how arduous it’s to be away from them as he competes on the present, and the way they’ve modified his life.
Idiris grew up in Kazakhstan, in a small city known as Aktobe. He lives together with his dad and mom, spouse, and kids. Idiris says when issues get powerful in camp or reducing weight, his youngsters give him the motivation to maintain going. Idiris explains he’s a family-first particular person and that they function his motivation.
When not in coaching, Idiris likes to trip horses.
Idiris explains that he joined an MMA health club someday and now has been combating professionally for 5 years. We see footage of him coaching at Erkin Kush. Idiris hopes to indicate that even those that come from a small footage have the alternatives and skills to do massive issues.
Furkatbek Yokubov Battle Prep
Uzbekistan’s Yokubov is a 15-4 fighter, who fights out of Dubai, who has good energy and likes to make use of it to complete fights.
We see footage of his fast combat from LFA 196, the place he calls himself a high-level striker.
Sonnen says this combat is fascinating as a result of the 2 have labored out earlier than. Yokubov informed him that whereas Idiris is the higher grappler, he’s the higher striker. Yokubov provides that he’s watched Idiris combat earlier than and is aware of the error he makes within the combat.
Furkatbek Yokubov Backstory
We see a photograph of Yokubov’s father and daughter. He mentions how arduous it’s to be with out strategies to contact them and his spouse.
Yokubov was a kickboxing champion in 2013 earlier than turning to MMA in 2016. Coaching out of TKMMA Match, Yokubov says he’s on a mission to develop into TUF champion, after which UFC champion.
We see pictures of his late mom, and Yokubov turns into emotional discussing her and her telling him on her deathbed to proceed on and develop into a champion. Yokubov says he’s going to win this combat for his household.
Alibi Idiris Battle Prep
Idiris provides a present of a gown to Cormier, seeking to symbolize himself and his nation. Idiris calls him a “Kazakh gangster.” Cormier praises his persona and humility.
Idiris is a striker who says he “loves knockouts” and is a former Naiza FC champion.
Cormier tells Idiris that he has nice cardio and will likely be his greatest weapon on this combat. Cormier calls him “the toughest working fighter” he’s ever coached in his two seasons of TUF.
“You get a man like that, with that effort, you’re drawn to him,” Cormier mentioned.
Idiris says he must look to strain for 10 minutes and can discover alternatives the place he has “tips up his sleeve.”
“I’m going forward with my dream,” he mentioned.
The Battle: Alibi Idiris vs. Furkatbek Yokubov
—–IF YOU HAVEN’T WATCHED THE EPISODE AND DON’T WANT TO BE SPOILED, THIS IS YOUR CHANCE TO TURN AWAY NOW.———
Yokubov and Idiris each weigh in at 126. The combat is on!
Dana White calls Yokubov a tricky striker with a variety of expertise and praises Idiris’ putting and wrestling.
Yokubov smiles and tries to alternate a little bit of discuss with Idiris, who stays stoic. Idiris attributes Yokubov’s actions and phrases to nerves.
Ryan Clark, a former Tremendous Bowl champion and present ESPN commentator, is available in to the Group Cormier locker room to offer a pep discuss to the staff.
Clark says that moments just like the fighters are experiencing solely come round so typically.
“If you’re standing throughout from any individual whose targets straight impression yours, you bought to be sure you say, ‘Solely one in every of us can dwell this dream,’” Clark mentioned.
Alibi Idiris vs. Furkatbek Yokubov
Spherical 1
Low kick from Idiris to begin. Idiris working brief kicks early. Yokubov flashes a proper. Low kick from Idiris. Mixture from Yokubov. Idiris tries to return ahead. Spinning kick misses by Idiris. Left hand from Yokubov. Idiris comes ahead, urged by Cormier to convey strain. Physique kick by Idiris. Yokubov lands the precise hand. Idiris comes ahead, however Yokubov grabs a maintain of him. He almost will get Idiris to the fence earlier than Idiris will get away. Left hook from Yokubov. A proper hand will get Idiris to stumble again.
One other physique lock battle for management. A left hand sends Idiris down briefly. Proper hand from Yokubov. Low kick from Yokubov. Proper hand from Yokubov. Proper hand from Idiris, however Yokubov lands a knee. Idiris encourages extra strain. One other physique lock. Knee from Yokubov lands low. Temporary break within the motion earlier than time resumes. Idiris scores a takedown. Yokubov shortly will get to his ft, however he’s nonetheless pinned in opposition to the fence. Knee to the physique by Idiris, adopted by a visit. Yokubov is harshly warned for grabbing the fence.
Yokubov will get up however is warned once more for grabbing the fence. Idiris attempting for a takedown. Idiris will get to the again and begins to land ground-and-pound! Idiris appears to be like for a choke earlier than resuming his punches. Idiris continues to punch and search for a end. Regardless of his chase, he doesn’t get the end.
Spherical 2
Every man lands a job. Yokubov with a one-two. Left hand from Yokubov. Low kick from Yokubov. Idiris with a co,bination. Uppercut from Idiris. Idiris misses a spinning backfist. Proper hand from Yokubov. One-two from Idiris. Left hand from Idiris. Knee to the physique by Idiris. Proper hand from Idiris. Elbow by Idiris. The referee calls a timeout for an eye fixed poke.
Cormier tells Idiris that Yokubov is breaking. The referee deducts one level for the attention poke.
Entrance kick from Idiris. Mixture from Yokubov. Knee from Idiris. Cormier yells at Idiris to deal with simply successful the spherical. Yokubov warned for grabbing the cage. Idiris takes Yokubov down anyway and appears for a choke. He searches for an arm-triangle choke. Idiris appears to be like like he’s squeezing. Yokubov says he’s okay. Idiris lets go of the choke and will get into mount once more. Punches from Idiris, and the ref warns for again of the pinnacle punches. Cormier yells for a choke. Yokubov will get again to his ft however is returned to the mat by Idiris.
A few pictures from Idiris earlier than Yokubov will get again to the ft. Idiris misses a excessive kick. Idiris misses a spinning assault. Combos from Yokubov. One other physique lock, and one other takedown scored for Idiris. Idiris hunts for the choke once more. Idiris is informed by Cormier to return to high management, and he does so, touchdown punches in bunches till the horn.
Dominant efficiency from Idiris, who tells Dana White “Keep in mind my identify!” (Belal Muhammad may wish to take motion for gimmick infringement).
Winner: Alibi Idiris through unanimous resolution after two rounds
Conclusion
Cormier notes that Idiris began with struggling taking Yokubov down, which gave Yokubov confidence. White knew Idiris was damage at one level and Idiris knew he needed to get the combat to the bottom.
That’s when Idiris appears to be like to dominate on the bottom, and he does, with Sonnen noting one thing within the floor exchanges drained Yokubov.
Cormier feels Idiris will likely be a tricky competitor to beat within the competitors. Group Cormier, in the meantime, seems to be unbeatable ever since dropping the primary combat of the season.
Idiris feels the victory justifies his arduous work and praises his opponent, seeking to win for himself, his household, and his county.
Yokubov says he feels a variety of emotion shedding however doesn’t make excuses. He says he’ll look ahead to the subsequent alternative.
The subsequent combat, at welterweight, will see Group Cormier’s Alex Sanchez taking up Group Sonnen’s Matt Dixon.
Can Group Sonnen lastly break the shedding skid?
Rose Namajunas and Raquel Pennington be a part of Group Cormier for coaching subsequent week.
What’s going to occur subsequent week? Be part of alongside us then!
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