Another week has passed in the high-stakes environment of The Ultimate Fighter 33, bringing with it another crucial fight and, for one legendary coach, mounting frustration. Episode 7 saw Team Chael Sonnen`s Roybert Echeverria of Venezuela face off against Team Daniel Cormier`s Tumelo Manyamala from South Africa in the flyweight division quarter-finals. The outcome significantly impacted the team standings and highlighted the strategic battle playing out between the coaching staffs.
The Fight: A Tale of Two Rounds
The bout began with Tumelo Manyamala showcasing impressive speed and technical striking. Utilizing sharp counter-punching, Manyamala effectively controlled the early exchanges, landing clean shots and generally dictating the pace. His performance was highlighted by a right hand that momentarily dropped Echeverria, solidifying Manyamala`s advantage as the first round concluded.
However, momentum is a fickle thing in combat sports. Between rounds, Team Sonnen, reportedly bolstered by insights from guest coach and former champion Robert Whittaker, provided clear direction to Echeverria: close the distance and secure takedowns. It`s a classic Chael Sonnen approach – grounded in wrestling and control – and Echeverria committed to it.
Entering the second round, Echeverria diligently executed the game plan. Despite Manyamala successfully defending the initial takedown attempts, Echeverria`s persistence paid off on the third effort. Once the fight hit the mat, the dynamic shifted dramatically. Echeverria maintained top control, patiently working towards a dominant position. From there, he secured a rear-naked choke, forcing Manyamala to tap out and securing the victory for Team Sonnen.
Cormier`s Disappointment
For Daniel Cormier, this loss was particularly hard to swallow. Having watched one of his fighters appear timid in a previous episode, seeing Manyamala seemingly retreat or fail to adapt in the second round struck a nerve. Cormier didn`t hide his disappointment, addressing Manyamala directly and emphasizing the wasted opportunity.
“You should have won that fight,” Cormier reportedly told his fighter, urging him to remember the feeling of defeat and use it as motivation. It`s a familiar refrain for coaches witnessing performance issues under pressure, but Cormier`s visibly increasing impatience suggests the strain of the competition is starting to show.
Team Score and Semifinal Picture
With Echeverria`s win, Team Sonnen chipped away at Team Cormier`s lead. The overall team score now stands at 4-3 in favor of Team Cormier. The flyweight semifinalists are now set, with Team Cormier represented by Alibi Idiris and Imanol Rodriguez, facing off against Team Sonnen`s Roybert Echeverria and Joseph Morales.
Looking ahead, Episode 8 promises another pivotal matchup as the welterweights take center stage. Team Sonnen`s No. 1 pick, Diego Bianchini, is scheduled to face Team Cormier`s Rodrigo Sezinando, a fight that could potentially level the team score at 4-4 and add further tension to the coaching rivalry.
Format Notes
This season of TUF features a slightly different dynamic, as coaches Daniel Cormier and Chael Sonnen, both long retired from active competition, will not square off in a fight at the season`s conclusion. Instead, the ultimate prize for the tournament winners – both a welterweight and a flyweight – is a coveted six-figure contract with the UFC. The date for the live finale bouts where these contracts will be contested is yet to be announced.
As the quarterfinal stage concludes, the paths to the final are becoming clearer. Each fight now carries immense weight, not just for the individual fighters` dreams, but for the bragging rights of the legendary coaches pacing the sidelines.
