Episode No. 3 recap: 'The Ultimate Fighter 21: ATT vs. Blackzilians'

American Top Team (top) and the Blackzilians

Episode No. 3 of “The Ultimate Fighter 21: ATT vs. Blackzilians” opens with ATT fighters and coaches reflecting on the last episode. The team has dropped both fights so far in the competition and trail the Blackzilians by 50 points.

ATT owner Dan Lambert reiterates that his team is still very much in the competition. There are still 10 fights to go with a total of 650 points up for grabs.

Back at the “TUF” house, Blackzilians fighter Valdir Araujo says his personal bottle of wine is missing and begins to point fingers at others in the house. No one takes the blame for the missing wine, but ATT’s Michael Graves later reveals in confessional that he was the one to take the wine.

The ATT coaching staff gathers to debate which fighter they want to insert into bout No. 3. After some deliberation, the coaches go with Steve Carl. Carl is a former WSOF welterweight champion and is arguably the most notable fighter in the entire competition.

Carl is informed he’s next and is very pleased with the decision. He says he wants to fight more than once in the competition and plans to earn a dominant victory.

Attention shifts the Blackzilians. The coaches have to decide which fighter they want to place in the next bout. Assistant coach Rashad Evans says he wants to put another quality competitor in to further extend the lead and “apply the pressure” on the ATT squad.

Blackzilians select Aroujo. Nicknamed “Baby Monster,” Araujo is a submission specialist that’s determined to get the first victory for his team.

Weigh-ins take place and Carl and Araujo are made aware for the first time that they will be fighting each other. Araujo successfully makes the welterweight limit, but Carl comes in at 171.75 on his first attempt and must make 171 within one hour.

Carl uses the Blackzilians locker room and sauna to attempt to shed off the weight. That sparks the ire of Blackzilians coaches Tyrone Spong and Michael Johnson, who confront Carl and tell him to cut weight elsewhere.

ATT fighter Nathan Coy attempts to defuse the situation, but Spong insists Carl leaves the sauna. Carl’s time was just enough because he returns to the scale and hits the 170-pound mark. The third bout of the season is now official.

Carl and Araujo attempt to cram as much training and strategy as possible into the few hours before the fight. Both men are confident in the matchup and believe they’ll earn a victory for their respective teams.

Fight day arrives, and the third tournament bout is underway.

Valdir Araujo (14-5) vs. Steve Carl (21-4)

Round 1 – Araujo throws and lands the first big shot when he connects with an overhand right. Carl responds with two hard leg kicks. Carl lands a straight punch and Aruajo attempts his first takedown of the fight. Carl stuffs it, breaks free and creates space on the feet. Both fighter exchange body kicks as Carl circles the cage while Araujo plots forward. Araujo eats another straight punch but responds with a leg kick. He clinches Carl and drops for a takedown. Carl navigates his back to the cage while Aruajo continues to work for the takedown. Araujo finally gets a slam but Carl immediately scrambles back to his feet. Carl reverses position against the fence and has the pressure on Araujo. Carl works for a takedown of his own and briefly trips Araujo to the floor. Araujo escapes to his feet before the round comes to an end.

Round 2 – Araujo throws a leg kick that’s countered by a Carl right hand. Araujo presses forward with a head kick that’s blocked. He lands another leg kick followed by a short right hand. Araujo continues to push forward with combinations and leg kicks. Carl pumps his jab but his output rate has slowed. Carl closes the distance and puts Araujo’s back against the cage. Carl drops down to work for a double leg takedown, but Araujo denies his advances. Araujo reverses the position and now it’s Carl with his back against the cage. Carl gets back in control and works very hard for a takedown. Carl exposes his neck and Araujo locks in a guillotine. Araujo drops to his back and flips over into mount position where he forces Carl to tap out.

Valdir Araujo def. Steve Carl via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 2

Araujo earns the first stoppage victory of the season with his second-round submission win. UFC President Dana White criticizes Carl’s undisciplined performance. Araujo’s victory earns the Blackzilians their third 25-point win of the season and gives the team a 75-0 lead in the competition. The Blackzilians retain home gym advantage for the next fight.

Catch new episodes of “The Ultimate Fighter 21: ATT vs. Blackzilians” every Wednesday at 10 p.m. ET (7 p.m. PT) on FOX Sports 1. MMAjunkie recaps each episode of the reality series.