The Ultimate Fighter 22, Episode 5 Notes: The Europeans Came to Fight
The Americans jumped out in the lead by winning the first two fights of The Ultimate Fighter 22, but Team McGregor secured matchmaking control during last week’s episode with their first win. On the fifth episode, Team Faber hoped to bounce back, while the Europeans planned to even the score.
No One Said It Would Be Easy
Being away from family and out of his comfort zone is taking its toll on Team Faber's Chris Gruetzemacher.
“I'm all over the (expletive) place,” he said. “I like to be optimistic and be like this is the opportunity of a lifetime, which it is. Being in this nice house, all this stuff. I'd rather be at my own place, be around my little comfort zone, people I know, people I care about, people that care about me.”
Homesick and feeling the pressure of the show, Gruetzemacher isn't having a good time.
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“I miss home. I want to see my family, want to see my friends. This place is nice. It's a cool opportunity, but I'm ready to fight, go home, be in the finale, and make some money. Just be happy because right now, being in here, it's not fun. It's not,” he said. “I hate training like this. I do. I hate it. It's just all about fighting. I don't (expletive) train just to fight. I train because I enjoy it. I like learning stuff. I like practicing things.”
Gruetzemacher fought his way into the house and won his preliminary round match-up against Sascha Sharma to advance to the next round.
The Fight: Saul Rogers (10-1) vs. Billy Quarantillo (6-1)
Rogers was winning the early exchanges and Quarantillo decided to try and get the fight to the ground leaving his coach, Urijah Faber, questioning, ‘what is he doing?' Rogers defended the takedown attempt and gain top position. Rogers landed short shots as the American tried to work his way back to his feet. Quarantillo used the cage to wall walk back to the standing position, but Rogers quickly slammed him back to the canvas. Rogers took Quarantillo's back and spent the remainder of the opening round softening up his opponent with punches.
Rogers secured a takedown in the early going of the second frame. He dominated the round with top control and a heavy dose of ground and pound. It was the most one-sided fight thus far. All three judges scored the fight for Rogers by unanimous decision.
UFC president Dana White was impressed by Rogers' dominance. “Saul never lost control of this fight. He manhandled Billy. He actually showed today that he's probably one of the favorites to win this thing.”
Next Fight Announcement
With Rogers' win, Team McGregor retained matchmaking control and evened the scorebooks with Team Faber at 2-2. Coach Conor McGregor decided to put France's Mehdi Baghdad up against Team Fabers' Julian Erosa in the next preliminary round fight.
