The eleventh episode of The Final Fighter TUF Season 33 noticed the semi closing portion of the flyweight bracket come to an finish after a stellar back-and-forth chess match between a proficient younger prospect and a grizzled veteran.
The flyweights ready themselves whereas a previous TUF champion visited the home
Gearing up for his or her alternative to compete within the reside finale later this 12 months, the final remaining 125-lb rivals on the present, Imanol Rodriguez and Joseph Morales, honed in on their shot at coming into the UFC.
Crossing paths with touted undefeated Indian fighter Arshiyan Memon on the third episode of the season, Rodriguez logged an unbelievable exhibiting in his first high-profile blended martial arts look. Beautiful Memon by a primary spherical knockout, the Mexican slugger instantly made himself a prime flyweight match hopeful.
Producing his personal swift end, Morales got here to blows towards Crew Cormier’s primary choose, Eduardo Henrique, dominating the present LFA champion with an unbelievable rear bare choke in simply two minutes. Lengthy-time followers of the game will keep in mind Morales throughout his first stint within the UFC, the place “Bopo” amassed a 1-2 firm document earlier than being launched.
Earlier than the flyweights may sq. off, nonetheless, The Final Fighter home was graced with an esteemed customer, a person who had gained the competitors the earlier 12 months, Mairon Santos. Preventing on season 32, the Brazilian upstart plowed his method by the present, ultimately capturing the featherweight trophy in addition to a UFC contract. Though his debut resulted in controversy after a detailed break up determination victory over Francis Marshall, “The Legend” erased all doubt about his talents after besting Sodiq Yusuff at light-weight by unanimous determination this previous Could.
The flyweight semi finals finish by the narrowest of margins
Showcasing his blistering hand pace early on, Rodriguez repeatedly tagged Morales to the face and physique, leaving the extra seasoned athlete unable to successfully counter them. With the get up division being managed completely by the Mexican, Morales opted to take Rodriguez down, gaining management of his again and holding himself there for almost three minutes, netting him the primary spherical.
Regardless of having his opponent latched to his again whereas being pelted by punches, Rodriguez appeared to nonetheless be recent heading into the second, as he managed to land fairly a couple of fast strikes on his skilled foe. Nevertheless, Morales began to realize a little bit floor on the ft as properly, backing up Rodriguez to the cage on a number of events. Each males had their moments, however the second spherical finally ended as a toss up.
Demonstrating his abilities as a whole martial artist, Rodriguez determined to make the most of his personal Jiu-Jitsu prowess, bringing Morales right down to the canvas within the third. Racking up his personal staggering quantity of management time, the Mexican flyweight dominated the as soon as UFC competitor for nearly the entire spherical, sweeping the final body of the bout on all three judges’ scorecards.
