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411’s Ultimate Fighter 22: Team McGregor vs. Team Faber Report 10.06.15 – Episode Five

October 7, 2015 | Posted by Larry Csonka

WELCOME: Welcome back to 411 and our coverage of the Ultimate Fighter 22: Team McGregor vs. Team Faber. Last week, Team McGregor’s Marcin Wrzosek defeated Team Faber’s Tom Gallicchio via unanimous decision. Faber was certain that there would be a third round for the fight, but he was wrong. Also, after his victory, Marcin called out Gruetzemacher. McGregor and Faber keep talking shit to each other, setting up a fight that will either never happen or happen later when Faber is even older and less relevant than he is now. McGregor caught a lot of heat for the way he trained his team and how he blew up at Sharma for his loss. McGregor realized that he handled it badly, and regretted his reaction. Team McGregor took control of the fight selection following last week’s win, and this week Team Faber’s Billy Quarantillo (6-1) will fight Team McGregor’s Saul Rogers (10-1).

* McGregor feels that they have the advantage going into fight four, as Billy Quarantillo looked afraid during the picks. Conor feels that Saul Rogers isn’t banged up and is mentally ready to fight. Faber thinks that Rogers can get desperate for takedowns and has good ground and pound. Quarantillo is excited to fight, and adds that Rogers will not out grapple him. Back at the house, Gallicchio is upset about his loss. There is the usual tension in the house, Rogers thinks Quarantillo is nervous because he is whistling constantly.

* We get some background information on Rogers, he had a kid when he was 19 and had to grow up quick. He has a little girl and a little boy, and he fights for then. Fighting doesn’t feel like a job to him, because he enjoys it. This leads us to a Team McGregor training session, Rogers doesn’t really gameplan for fights, he just tries to go into a fight at his best. Conor drills takedowns along the cage, where they want the fight to take place. Rogers seems happy with the plan and advice.

* We now get to meet Billy Quarantillo. He talks about getting hooked on MMA, and how it just took off very quickly. He wasn’t impressed with Rogers, felt he got tired quickly, and knows he will not stand with him. Faber drills takedown defense along the cage. Faber feels Quarantillo is very enthusiastic, but lacks a lot of skill and admits that he is behind the game in that aspect. Faber does say that Quarantillo is a quick learner, and will have to defend the takedowns and if he goes down, needs to get up quickly.

* We now get a fighters night out, which Conor says they need from time to time. Conor orders the entire menu and has a good time; his team seems to really like him. Not much to this part of the show, some eating and drinking.

* Conor speaks about his gym, and Rogers is part of that system. Rogers says he has trained with Conor before, and knows him a little better than most of the guys. Conor drills balance for takedown defense, and says Rogers has a good base and they are working to fine tune him and correct his ground and pound so that he becomes more patient.

* Weigh-in time, Conor is not there for this. Rogers weighs in at 156. Quarantillo weighs in at 155. Dana says this will be interesting; he is not sure what to expect. Quarantillo has a lot of energy, but Rogers has trained with some tough guys.

* At the house, Chris Gruetzemacher is down in the dumps. He knows this is a big opportunity, but would rather be home in his comfort zone. He hates training like this and doesn’t feel that it is fun. He doesn’t train just to fight, and feels the team is a great group of guys, but he doesn’t feel he is training his way.

* The fighters arrive and go through the usual warm ups. Of course, both think that they will win.

FIGHT FOUR – Team Faber’s Billy Quarantillo (6-1) vs. Team McGregor’s Saul Rogers (10-1)ROUND ONE: They come out, no touch and they exchange right away. Rogers flashes a high kick to back off Quarantillo, but Quarantillo chases and then shoots, which Faber questioned right away. Rogers got control of the position and into half guard along the cage. Faber is not pleased by this, questioning what Quarantillo was thinking wit that strategy. Quarantillo works up but gets slammed right back down. Quarantillo tries to fight up again as Faber yells at him to fight the hands, which he doesn’t do so Rogers keeps control. Conor is pleased so far. Rogers lands good strikes from the top, but gets warned for grabbing the cage. Quarantillo gets to his feet, eats some knees but Rogers takes him right back down and takes his back. Conor tells Rogers not to rush and to work position, but Quarantillo is able to get back to a butterfly guard, but eats some solid strikes. Rogers maintains a dominant position and is throwing a lot, not all are landing nor are they overly hard strikes, but he is easily controlling the round. Quarantillo tries to scramble, but Rogers continues to control. They go to the feet, some back and forth and the round ends. SCORECARD: Rogers 10-9

ROUND TWO: Faber told Quarantillo not to try takedowns again, which was good advice. Rogers works some kicks to the legs and body early, but Quarantillo lands some good counter strikes. Rogers then scored a takedown, Quarantillo looked for a knee bar, but Rogers escaped and went back to the guard of Quarantillo. Rogers lands strikes to both levels, as he tries to improve his position. Good lefts by Rogers after he postured up, and then went back to guard, not allowing Quarantillo a chance to get up. Quarantillo tries to throw up kicks, but Rogers smothers him and works from the half guard. He tries for mount and then gets the back of Quarantillo along the cage. Quarantillo manages to get to his feet, but they go to the mat again and Rogers lands on top. Rogers works to side control, Quarantillo tries to work off the cage with his feet but there are 90-seconds left in the round. Good lefts by Rogers as he again looks to take the back of Quarantillo. Quarantillo gets to his feet, Rogers takes him down and has his back again. Rogers lets go of the hooks, and then rains down with hard lefts and elbows. Quarantillo looks for up kicks, but Rogers drops back down and as the round ends Quarantillo manages to get to his feet, but way too late and Rogers completely dominated him. SCORECARD: Rogers 20-17.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Saul Rogers via unanimous decision (20-16, 20-17, 20-17)

* Quarantillo says he did not stick with his gameplan, but got his ass beat the entire fight. Faber says if he does not fix these things, these little holes, this will happen each and every time out. Faber still has no clue why Quarantillo shot for a takedown, and why he did it so badly.

* Conor felt that Rogers could have got a finish, but was pleased with his complete domination of Quarantillo. Conor and Faber discuss fashion once again.

* Team McGregor maintains control. Next week’s fight will be Team McGregor’s Mehdi Baghdad (11-3) vs. Team Faber’s Julian Erosa (14-1). Baghdad wanted to fight very badly, and says the sultan is coming to hurt Erosa. Erosa feels this is a good match up for him.

* We get highlights from next week’s show, and TJ Dillashaw will make an appearance, leading to Conor discussing the possible betrayal. DRAMA!

Team Faber (United States)
Ryan Hall (4-1 MMA, 1-0 TUF)
Chris Gruetzemacher (12-1, 1-0 TUF)
-Johnny Nunez (5-1)
-James Jenkins (8-1)
-Jason Gonzalez (9-2)
-Julian Erosa (14-1)
-Thanh Le (4-1)
Billy Quarantillo (6-1 MMA, 0-1 TUF)
Tom Gallicchio (19-8 MMA, 0-1 TUF)

Team McGregor (Europe)
Marcin Wrzosek (10-2 MMA, 1-0 TUF)
Saul Rogers (10-1 MMA, 1-0 TUF)
-Artem Lobov (11-10-1-1)
-Abner Lloveras (19-7-1)
-David Teymur (3-1)
-Martin Svensson (14-5)
-Mehdi Baghdad (11-3)
Sascha Sharma (8-2, 0-1 TUF)
Frantz Frank Slioa (4-0 MMA, 0-1 TUF)

* End scene.

* Thanks for reading.

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