411’s Ultimate Fighter 26: Alvarez vs. Gaethje Report 11.08.17

The Ultimate Fighter 26: Alvarez vs. Gaethje – EPISODE NINE (The Fight Gods)
INTRODUCTION: The Ultimate Fighter 26 will see 16 women’s flyweights descend on the Las Vegas desert in hopes of becoming the first female 125-pound champion in UFC history (and of course they get a contract). Coaches Eddie Alvarez and Justin Gaethje put the contestants through a grueling tryout prior to selecting their teams. Last week, #8. Emily Whitmire (2-1) defeated #9. Christina Marks (8-8). THIS WEEK; before the quarterfinals kick off, both teams enjoy a night out on Lake Las Vegas. One fighter struggles with a difficult weight cut, putting her future in the competition in doubt. Then it’s the first two quarterfinal fights.

– Fun Note: 7 of the first 8 fights ended with a finish. Dana was impressed with the prelims. The ladies get dressed up for a night cruise of Lake Las Vegas, courtesy of uncle Dana. They cruise the lake, enjoy some drinks and have good time.

– Gaethje isn’t working with either Roxanne Modafferi or Emily Whitmire, because they are both on his team. We see this is previous seasons, and it allows for the other coaches, like Miesha Tate who is working with friend and former roommate Emily Whitmire, to get more time in.

– WEIGH-INS: Roxanne Modafferi (125.5), Whitmire (125)

– FIGHT DAY: They go through the usual pre-fight prep.

#1. Roxanne Modafferi (21-13 MMA, 1-0 TUF) vs. #8. Emily Whitmire (2-1, 1-0 TUF): ROUND ONE: Both are grapplers that evolved into strikers; Modafferi has a huge experience advantage, not only in number of fights, but also in terms of fighting more top tier opponents. Modafferi also has had a lot of rest, fighting first in the season. Whitmire is 9-years younger, but Modafferi is two-inches taller and will enjoy a 2.75-inch reach advantage. Modafferi comes out, working her jab. They trade in close, both landing solidly, with Whitmire looking to be getting the better of things. Modafferi backs her off, mixes in leg kicks and they go to the cage. Whitmire wants a takedown, but Modafferi keeps fighting it off. Modafferi drags her down, gets half guard and starts working for a head and arm choke. Modafferi gets mount, starts landing elbows and takes the back, and lays in strikes. Back to mount, more elbows by Modafferi follow and Modafferi now takes the back again and keeps landing. The fight is stopped with one second left as Modafferi was raining down with elbows.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Roxanne Modafferi via RD1 TKO

– This was a great outing for Modafferi, who took no damage and finished in impressive fashion. Her redemption story continues.

– Whitmire admits that she freaked out and gave up on the fight. She knows she has a lot of things to figure out.

– Dana was impressed by Modafferi’s win.

– DeAnna Bennett & Sijara Eubanks, both team Alvarez fighters, start training. Alvarez will also not be involved in their training for the fight. They pair off with the other coaches and begin their work. Eubanks wants to work her striking, take things down and finish the fight. Alvarez is impressed with both, and feels it’s an even fight.

– Eubanks says she’s starting lower for this weight cut, and doesn’t see any issues making weight, unlike last time when she had a really rough cut.

– On weight-in day, she was 130 and was trying to sweat off the weight. The house thinks she may miss. Lauren Murphy is on weight and says she will be ready to step in. Eubanks weighs in at the house and has one pound to go.

– WEIGH-INS: Bennett (125.25), Eubanks (126.75). Eubanks weighs in nude and is overweight. The commission gives her an hour to drop weight. Murphy heads to the sauna incase she gets the chance to fight. Eubanks now hits the sauna, and argues with Murphy. Alvarez kicks Murphy out of the sauna, so she goes running in a sweat suit. Eubanks weighs in again, and this time is at 126, so she can fight. Eubanks was pissed about Murphy trying to cut weight, but others defend her because others were also trying to cut weight. Eubanks & Murphy make nice and shake hands.

– FIGHT DAY: They go through the usual pre-fight prep.

#4. DeAnna Bennett (8-3, 1-0 TUF) vs. #12. Sijara Eubanks (2-2, 1-0 TUF): ROUND ONE: Bennett has more experience, and Eubanks had another hard weight cut. Age, height and reach are all equal. They come out center cage, trading a bit and both landing solidly. Bennett backs off Eubanks, she’s landing good an clean as they go to the cage. Bennett separates, lands combo but Eubanks fucking starches her with a wicked head kick!

OFFICIAL RESULT: Sijara Eubanks via RD1 KO

– Eubanks needed that to be quick and got the job done.

– The remaining quarterfinals are…

* #1. Roxanne Modafferi (21-13 MMA, 2-0 TUF) advances
* #12. Sijara Eubanks (2-2, 2-0 TUF) advances
* #2 Barb Honchak (10-2, 1-0 TUF) vs. #10. Rachael Ostovich (3-3, 1-0 TUF)
* #6. Montana Stewart (7-4, 1-0 TUF) vs. #14. Nicco Montano (3-2, 1-0 TUF)

– NEXT WEEK: #2 Barb Honchak (10-2, 1-0 TUF) vs. #10. Rachael Ostovich (3-3, 1-0 TUF) & #6. Montana Stewart (7-4, 1-0 TUF) vs. #14. Nicco Montano (3-2, 1-0 TUF)

Team Alvarez
* #2 Barb Honchak (10-2, 1-0 TUF)
* #3. Lauren Murphy (9-3, 0-1 TUF)
* #4. DeAnna Bennett (8-3, 1-1 TUF)
* #7. Melinda Fabian (4-3-1, 0-1 TUF)
* #9. Christina Marks (8-8, 0-1 TUF)
* #11. Ariel Beck (4-4, 0-1 TUF)
* #12. Sijara Eubanks (2-2, 2-0 TUF)
* #16. Shana Dobson (2-1 MMA, 0-1 TUF)

Team Gaethje
* #1. Roxanne Modafferi (21-13 MMA, 2-0 TUF)
* #5. Maia Stevenson (6-4, 1-0 TUF)
* #6. Montana Stewart (7-4, 1-0 TUF)
* #8. Emily Whitmire (2-1, 1-1 TUF)
* #10. Rachael Ostovich (3-3, 1-0 TUF)
* #13. Karine Gevorgyan (3-2, 0-1 TUF)
* #14. Nicco Montano (3-2, 1-0 TUF)
* #15. Gillian Robertson (3-2, 0-1 TUF)

– End scene.

– Thanks for reading.

“Byyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyye Felicia!”