We’re brought right into the infamous ‘Coaches’ Challenge’ and onto the pickleball court to kick off Episode 9 of The Ultimate Fighter 33. Dana White greets both coaches with an explanation of the challenge, a best-of-three series deciding the winner of a $10k prize. Each team member of the winning coach will also receive $1500.
However, after semi-finalist Joseph Morales brings up the 20th anniversary of TUF this year, White gives in and grants the fighters $2500 each if their coach wins.
The rules sound simple enough: a game of ‘mini-singles’ pickleball, with the first to 11 points winning the game. Their first match is marked by controversy, with Daniel Cormier committing multiple fouls, but ultimately cruising to an 11-6 win over Chael Sonnen. The pattern repeats in Game 2 despite a premature celebration, as Cormier stayed focused and secured another 11-6 victory.
Semi-finalist Daniil Donchenko highlights the impact of the money in a statement following DC’s win.
“I can pay five months of my apartment in Thailand with this money.”
Different Training and Different Mindsets?
Moving to Team Cormier’s training room, chilling music plays behind Alibi Idiris as he prepares for his semi-final matchup against Roybert Echeverria.
“I respect Roy as a professional. I recognize that he’s the best, and I’m aware of his strengths. I’ve seen Roy in his fight against Tumelo and how he works.”
Idiris gave an insight into his approach:
“I need to approach him capably, create pressure, grapple more, strike more. I’m going to misdirect him, utilize elbows and knees, and make him work.”
Cormier reiterated this game plan, feeling Echeverria is most uncomfortable when pressured and outworked.
Team Sonnen’s training room has a completely different vibe, with Colby Covington scolding the team for a poor work ethic: “It’s a completely different mentality than what I came and watched earlier at DC’s practice.”
Echeverria appreciates the tough day of training that follows a hard scolding as he prepares for his semi-final fight.
White gives the semi-finalists a chance to call their families for the first time in weeks. Echeverria talks to his parents and reflects on how his time with the show has already changed him. Idiris has opted not to call his family, stating that “I really want to talk with them, but I came here to battle, to fight.” Idiris continued, “I don’t want to be impacted by emotions; I want to focus solely on the fight.”
Sonnen introduces former TUF champion Julianna Pena as coach of the day, with Echeverria talking through his big moment with her. Sonnen openly admits his fears when facing a fighter like Idiris and how he utilizes his range. Interestingly, the game plan for Team Sonnen is to use Idiris’ cardio against him. With similar game plans from both teams, it’ll be interesting to see who can execute.
The Ultimate Fighter 33: Alibi Idiris vs. Roybert Echeverria
Both men look to establish control of the center of the cage to start, with Idiris throwing some massive punches to do so. Idiris pushes forward with blitzing combinations multiple times in the first minute. Echeverria maintains focus on countering at the end of these blitzes, circling away after firing back. Idiris’s check left hook starts to find the target consistently, as the battle for cage control continues. Takedown attempts by Idiris are shrugged off as the kickboxing battle wears on past the halfway mark of Round 1.
Echeverria works into boxing range with a big left hook to the body, but can’t seem to find the right punch to the head. A big knee up the middle from the Kazakh sends a message and gives the cage control he’s hunted for; however, some big body shots from the Venezuelan back him up. After securing a bodylock, Idiris finds his first takedown with just over 30 seconds left in the round. Echeverria rolls off his back for an armbar, transitioning to a heel hook, with Idiris standing up. As Echeverria stood up, Idiris cracked him with a perfectly timed flying knee that sat him right back down. The Kazakh ran over and finished the fight with follow-up punches to the wobbled Echeverria. Alibi Idiris was declared the winner by Round 1 TKO and will advance to the TUF Flyweight Finals, expected to take place at UFC 319.
Episode 10 will feature the first welterweight semi-final between Team DC members Jeff Creighton and Rodrigo Sezinando.
That wraps up an action-packed Episode of The Ultimate Fighter 33. We’ll recap each episode from the season as the show unfolds.
