TUF 34: Episode 1 Recap
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The Ultimate Fighter Season 34: Team Cormier vs. Team Bisping airs every Tuesday on Paramount+ at 10:00 p.m. ET / 7:00 p.m. PT.
The season premiered on June 14th, immediately following UFC Freedom 250, and features competitors in the men’s bantamweight and women’s strawweight divisions.
Episode 1 delivers plenty of drama as the competition gets underway, with fighters battling for a chance to earn a UFC contract.
Here’s what went down this week:
TUF 34, Episode 1: ‘A New Frontier’
A New Frontier aired on on June 14th on Paramount+.
Coaches Daniel Cormier and Michael Bisping pick teams from eight strawweights and eight bantamweights. The fighters move into the house, start training and the first strawweight fight kicks off the competition.
Episode Notes
- The coaches make their team selections, with Bisping earning the first pick and Cormier choosing the first matchup. Fighters who aren’t selected become the season’s alternates, which is different from previous seasons.
- A heated training-room scrap leaves Ilimbek Akylbek Uulu with a nasty cut after an altercation with Sean Mora, before teams are even picked.
- Bad blood is setting the stage for a potential showdown between the two before the competition starts. Despite Cormier’s frustration with Mora, he does pick Mora during team selection.
- Mackenzie Dern joins Team Bisping as a guest coach and sparring partner, bringing some extra star power to the gym.
- Team Cormier’s coaching staff debates whether to book Mora vs. Akylbek Uulu next, ultimately deciding against it because of the cut. Instead, the opening matchup is set: Christian Strong (Team Cormier) vs. Marlon Jones (Team Bisping).
- Team Cormier’s constant smack talk may already be getting under Team Bisping’s skin.
The Fight on TUF 34 Episode 1
TUF Fight Rating (1–5 Scale)
1️⃣ 😐 Meh / Okay – Not much happened
2️⃣ 🙂 Decent – Solid fight, nothing special
3️⃣ 🔥 Good / Fun – Crowd got into it, entertaining spots
4️⃣ 💥 Great / Must-See – High energy, memorable moments
5️⃣ 🤯 Epic / Instant Classic – Mind-blowing, fight of the season candidate
Melissa Amaya (8-0) vs. Anna Melisano (6-1)
- Results: Melissa Amaya Wins via 1st-Round Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)
- Rating: 🔥
Thoughts on the fight:
- Team Cormier’s game plan was clear from the start. They wanted Amaya to get the fight to the ground and keep it there. They noticed that Melisano wasn’t able to get back to her feet much during the initial training and scouting session.
- Once Amaya secured the takedown, the fight ended quickly. There were questions about how Amaya would fare on the feet against Melisano, but she erased those concerns early. She looked like the sharper fighter throughout the bout and controlled the action from start to finish.
- Just as importantly, Amaya escaped the fight with minimal damage, giving her an advantage as the tournament continues.
- It’s a tough start for Team Bisping, as his first pick opens the season with a loss.
- Despite holding advantages in height and reach, Melisano was unable to take advantage on the feet.
- The turning point came when Melisano threw a kick at the same moment Amaya landed a push kick, sending Melisano to the canvas. Amaya immediately capitalized, took the back with ease, and locked in the fight-ending choke.
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