Daniel Cormier’s flyweight fighter overcame a expensive foul to advance in The Final Fighter 33 match.
Representing Workforce Cormier this week was Kazakhstan’s Alibi Idiris. The undefeated fighter took on Chael Sonnen’s Furkatbek Yokubov (Uzbekistan) and relied closely on his wrestling to earn a choice win.
Idiris’ efficiency wasn’t with out its hiccups. Yokubov appeared to have the benefit on the toes early within the battle, catching Idiris with physique kicks and well timed counter punches. Nevertheless, after a quick pause within the motion when Yokubov by chance linked with a low blow, Idiris closed the gap and labored to take Yokubov to the mat.
With referee Jason Herzog warning Yokubov about grabbing the fence, Idiris powered by way of to pull Yokubov down after which began doing harm with ground-and-pound. Yokubov made it to Spherical 2, which led to a frantic placing change through which Idiris poked Yokubov within the eye. Herzog acted decisively, docking Idiris some extent.
In the long run, the penalty didn’t matter, as Yokubov dominated the spherical along with his wrestling once more en path to successful the two-round battle.
Workforce Cormier now has its second flyweight within the semifinals, with Yokubov becoming a member of teammate Imanol Rodriguez. The opposite flyweight within the bracket to this point is Workforce Sonnen’s Joseph Morales. General, Cormier now holds a 4-1 lead within the collection along with his welterweights Daniil Donchenko and Jeff Creighton additionally advancing.
This week’s episode noticed Cormier usher in two particular visitors to talk to his staff: TUF 24 solid member Brandon Moreno and Tremendous Bowl champion Ryan Clark. Moreno drove dwelling the worth of the TUF expertise to Cormier’s staff, explaining how he misplaced his first and solely battle on the present and later went on to turn out to be a two-time UFC flyweight champion.
Clark, Cormier’s fellow ESPN analyst, gave Idiris and the yellow staff a pep speak earlier than it was time to battle.
In subsequent week’s welterweight matchup, Workforce Cormier’s Alex Sanchez (Mexico) fights Workforce Sonnen’s Matt Dixon (USA).
The Final Fighter 33 airs stay each Tuesday at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
In contrast to most editions of TUF, coaches Daniel Cormier and Chael Sonnen won’t battle on the conclusion of the season as each are lengthy retired.
The finalists of the TUF 33 welterweight and flyweight tournaments will compete for a six-figure UFC contract within the present’s stay finale fights. A date for these bouts is but to be introduced.
Listed below are the TUF 33 rosters divided by staff:
Workforce Cormier
Flyweights
- Eduardo Henrique (13-2), Brazil
- Alibi Idiris (10-0), Kazakhstan
- Imanol Rodriguez (5-0), Mexico
- Tumelo Manyamala (6-1), South Africa
Welterweights
- Rodrigo Sezinando (8-1), Brazil
- Daniil Donchenko (11-2), Ukraine
- Jeff Creighton (11-2-1), USA
- Alex Sanchez (15-3), Mexico
Workforce Sonnen
Flyweights
- Joseph Morales (12-2), USA
- Furkatbek Yokubov (13-4), Uzbekistan
- Roybert Echeverria (10-2), Venezuela
- Arshiyan Memon (7-0), India
Welterweights
- Diego Bianchini (9-1), Brazil
- Matt Dixon (11-1), USA
- Richard Martins (9-1), Brazil
- Andreeas Binder (10-1, 1 NC), Eire
Listed below are the quarterfinal outcomes to this point:
Joseph Morales def. Eduardo Henrique through first-round submission (rear-naked choke)
Daniil Donchenko def. Richard Martins through choice
Imanol Rodriguez def. Arshiyan Memon through first-round TKO (strikes)
Jeff Creighton def. Andreeas Binder through choice
Alibi Idiris def. Furkatbek Yokubov through choice
Advancing to semifinals: Morales, Donchenko, Rodriguez, Creighton, Idiris
Eradicated: Henrique, Martins, Memon, Binder, Yokubov
