For the second of two bantamweight semis, it was Christian Strong taking on Mehemmedeli Osmanli. Strong was the last bantamweight picked by Team Cormier, while Osmanli was Team Bisping’s second bantamweight, and third pick overall.

Some drama in this final episode, as teammates Osmanli and Illimbek Akylbek Uulu get heated in sparring, after Illimbek drops elbows while on top. The assistant coaches (Michael Bisping is away on business during this session, with broadcast duties for the UFC) step in to separate them, noting that they should have realized it was a bad pairing. Illimbek is already in the final, so there’s a chance these two could have a live fight shortly.

“Why would you put them together?” questions teammate Xavier Franklin. Yet for some dumbfounding reason, the coaches have them continue to spar for another minute, which results in further hostilities and the pair having to be split up again. Osmanli is incensed, repeatedly calling Illimbek a “b*tch,” with the Kazakh in turn promising that “he will pay for his words.”

Osmanli tells the camera that Christian Strong is scared of him, and calls himself crazy. “All fighters are scared of me,” he boasts. Strong notes that Osmanli is “such a f*cking dickhead.”

Calling Osmanli a “cocky bastard,” he adds that “Everybody doesn’t like this motherf*cker. He’s just a frustrating dude, he’s not a good guy, he’s super egotistical.”

Cormier drills Strong leading into the fight, urging his fighter not to stay in front of Osmanli. “You can’t just stop and wait,” says Cormier, saying the Team Bisping fighter is too dynamic.

Michael Bisping gets back to town after heading to Perth, Australia for commentary duties, and finds out about his pupils getting into it during practice. “Get over it” is his suggestion. He works pads with Osmanli. Then ex-UFC bantamweight champ Merab Dvalishvili joins the team to demonstrate his wrestling prowess and work with Osmanli.

Weigh-ins arrive, and we get more drama. Osmanli chirps at Daniel Cormier, then confronts his own teammate, Illimbek, threatening to slap him, before even hitting the scale. “DC, stop stirring sh*t” exclaims Bisping. “Control these goons, man” Cormier replies.

“I want you to bash his face through the mat,” Cormier tells his own fighter, Strong. Both men hit weight.

Christian Strong vs. Mehemmedeli Osmanli

The last bantamweight fight of the season sees Strong shoot for an early takedown. He doesn’t land it, but stays on the leg, and completes the second attempt. Osmanli defends with a guillotine, which isn’t tight initially but gets worse when Strong can’t climb over Osmanli’s body. He does pull free, but Osmanli shrimps to the fence and gets to a three point stance. He makes it back to his feet, with half the round still to go. Strong still has a body lock, however, and turns that into another takedown attempt. Osmanli fights that off, and they move back to center, exchanging, with Osmani in his element, connecting several times. Strong soon shoots again, can’t land it, but drives Osmani back to the fence.

Again, Strong can’t get the fight down, and when Osmanli frees himself, they go back to center. Osmanli lands several shots including a knee as Strong changes levels. Good finish to the round for Mehemmedeli Osmanli.

Round two sees Strong come up short on an early takedown. It’s pretty clear he doesn’t want to stand with Osmanli, who has found his range. The takedown comes a minute in, with Strong in half-guard. Strong is bleeding badly. Osmanli locks in a buggy choke, and at first it doesn’t seem like he’s going to get it. Coach Bisping even tells him to let it go and get up. Osmanli instead keeps it on, and eventually, forces the tap!

Dana White notes that a buggy choke has never been used successfully in the UFC, and Osmanli did it in the biggest fight of his life to date.

TUF 34 Final

Tina Black vs. Melissa Amaya is the The Ultimate Fighter 34 women’s strawweight final, while the bantamweight final will see the grudge match between Mehemmedeli Osmanli and Illimbek Akylbek Uulu. The strawweight final is all Team Cormier, the bantamweights are both from Team Bisping. So one fighter from each team will win the season.

The final takes place on September 26 in Las Vegas.

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