We’ll be recapping each episode of The Ultimate Fighter 32 this year, with episode 7 arriving on July 16, 2024. Alexa Grasso and Valentina Shevchenko are your coaches, while featherweights and middleweights are featured.
The latest installment of The Ultimate Fighter 32 opens with a recap of featherweight Edwin Cooper Jr.’s drinking problems, with Bekhzod Usmonov, a teammate at Jackson-Wink MMA, stepping in to curb the issue. There’s a real big question as to why the UFC allows alcohol in the TUF house at all, unless they’re aiming for this kind of drama, but hey, they’re all adults, right?
In any case, Cooper’s teammates seem to think he’s cleaned up his act. Now, he has a fight with Brazilian Mairon Santos lined up. Cooper’s coach, Shevchecko, feels he has the edge in several areas, from experience to wrestling. In the meantime, Santos gives a glimpse into his life, starting with the “humble home” in which he was raised. Cooper, meanwhile, spotlights his grandfather, “a man of principle,” his girlfriend, and his parents, who never failed to provide for him.
Weigh-ins arrive and go off without a hitch, though Santos has to strip down to hit 146.
The Ultimate Fighter 32: Edwin Cooper Jr. vs Mairon Santos
Round 1:
Cooper opens with an early takedown attempt, which Santos scrambles back from. Santos then goes on the attack, slinging leather, before Cooper looks for the takedown once again, and this time lands it! Cooper has Santos trapped against the fence, and threatens to take the back. Santos is able to post up and eventually get back to his feet, but Cooper is all over him with a body lock. He gets a hook in, Santos wins up back on his knees, and Cooper peppers his opponent with punches. Dominant round by Cooper.
Round 2:
Santos opens the round strong, connecting flush with his jab and forcing Cooper to retreat, back to the cage. This is a much better start for Santos, who avoids the takedown and has Cooper on the outside, playing a defensive game, for much of the frame. Santos mixes in kicks, and Cooper’s corner hollers that he has to “make some choices.” They implore him to shoot for a takedown, instead, Santos rips a nasty outside leg kick that connects. Finally, with one minute left, Cooper shoots, but Santos easily stuffs the attempt. The highlight of the round, Santos landing a nasty knee on Cooper.
Round 3:
Not surprisingly, the judges had things one round apiece, necessitating a third round. With Cooper struggling to find the takedown, the defense of Santos might be the story of the round. He stuffs multiple attempts, and works his hands early, while Cooper’s team hollers at him to keep at it, leading to shot after shot, seconds apart, attempts sometimes strung together. With one minute remaining, Cooper grabs a leg – but still can not finish the attempt. Finally, 35 seconds or so left on the clock, Cooper lands a takedown. Santos practically drags himself to the fence, and soon enough the horn has sounded and we head to the judges.
Dana White calls it really close, adding “you really could have given the win to either one of these guys.” Only one man can win, however, and it’s Santos.
Official Result: Mairon Santos def. Edwin Cooper Jr. by split decision
