Episode No. 5 recap: 'The Ultimate Fighter 20: Team Pettis vs. Team Melendez'

Episode No. 5 of “The Ultimate Fighter: Team Pettis vs. Team Melendez” opens with Team Melendez’s Heather Clark discussing her rivalry with Team Pettis’ Felice Herrig. The two meet later in the episode.

At the next Team Melendez training session, a familiar scene arises as Angela Magana calls out Clark for her lack of participation in team practices. Magana, Rose Namajunas and several others confront the coaching staff and an argument ensues between Magana and Clark.

Team Pettis later arrives at the gym to train, and with a 4-0 lead in the competition, head coach Anthony Pettis is in high spirits and hopes to keep the winning streak alive.

No. 9 seed Justine Kish of Team Pettis continues to complain about knee issues and a doctor arrives with the results from her medical evaluation. He informs Kish the majority of her knee is healthy, but she has a torn ACL and he recommends surgery. An emotional Kish is forced to withdraw from the tournament.

Back at the “TUF” house, Kish informs her scheduled opponent, No. 8 seed Bec Rawlings, that she will no be able to compete in their matchup. Speculation arises within the house about whether Rawlings with receive a bye into the next round or an eliminated participant will return.

UFC President Dana White arrives at the gym and calls fighters from both teams into attendance. White informs No. 3 seed Tecia Torres, who was eliminated by No. 14 Randa Markos in the first preliminary fight, that she will get a second chance as Kish’s replacement.

In another twist, White decides Torres will switch sides and join Team Pettis due to the fact she’s a teammate of Rawlings.

Team Melendez head coach Gilbert Melendez confronts White afterward and is upset because he feels the coaching staff put a lot of time into training Torres. White tells Melendez the decision was made to avoid a teammate vs. teammate situation.

There’s also discontent within Team Pettis over White’s decision, as Torres receives little hospitality from her new teammates. That feeling spills over to the next training session, as the vast majority of Team Pettis isolates Torres.

Once the dust settles, focus shifts toward Herrig. Coach Pettis wants Herrig to follow a strict game plan and she says that’s not how she likes to enter competition. As the fight approaches, the pressure starts to get to Herrig, who says, “I know I’m physically strong, but sometimes I feel like I’m mentally weak.”

As Clark continues her preparation, she is determined to avenge her loss to Herrig. The two first met at Bellator 94 in March 2013, and Herrig emerged victorious by split decision. Clark says she’s a different fighter now and reminds viewers she fought the majority of the first bout with a broken arm.

Fight day arrives, and the fifth preliminary-round contest of the “TUF 20” tournament is underway.

No. 6 Felice Herrig vs. No. 10 Heather Clark

Round 1 – Herrig opens with an inside leg kick. Clark presses forward with a combination and Herrig answers with another low kick. Clark is looking to counterstrike off Herrig’s forward pressure. She has difficulty finding her range and Herrig ducks under a punch for a double-leg takedown. Clark sprawls and attempts to lock up a standing guillotine. Herrig pushes Clark toward the fence and breaks free of the hold. They exchange control along the fence until Herrig lands a leg sweep that puts Clark on her back. Herrig gains half guard and attempts to work her ground and pound. Clark is patient on the bottom and times a reversal where she ends up in Herrig’s guard. Herrig throws up her legs for a triangle choke then switches to an armbar. Clark remains calm and maneuvers out of the submission. Herrig is on top and Clark attempts a reverse triangle choke, but the position isn’t right. Herrig scrambles on top to end the round.

Round 2 – Herrig throws a leg kick that is countered by a jab from Clark. Herrig shoots for a takedown that is shook off by Clark. Herrig lands multiple knees to the body from the clinch then presses Clark against the cage. Herrig drags Clark to the ground and takes the back. Herrig establishes both hooks and begins to fight for the rear-naked choke. Herrig briefly moves over into mount, but Clark again gives up her back. Clark shakes Herrig off and gains top control. The referee warns Clark to advance her position then decides to stand the fighters up. Herrig presses forward and lands several punches followed by a knee to the body. Clark tries to clinch and go for a takedown, but Herrig breaks free. Clark wings an overhand that misses then follows with a knee. Herrig charges forward with a huge double leg takedown and lands directly in mount. She takes Clark’s back and finishes the round with a rear-naked choke attempt.

Felice Herrig def. Heather Clark via unanimous decision (20-18, 20-18, 20-18)

Herrig defeats Clark for the second time and moves to the quarterfinal round along with No. 1 Carla Esparza, No. 2 Joanna Calderwood, No. 4 Jessica Penne and No. 14 Randa Markos, who advanced in previous episodes.

Team Pettis improves to 5-0 on the season and retains control of fight selection. With his choice, coach Pettis selects No. 5 Aisling Daly to go up against No. 12 seed Magana of Team Melendez in the next episode.

Also see:

Catch new episodes of “The Ultimate Fighter 20: Team Pettis vs. Team Melendez” every Wednesday at 10 p.m. ET (7 p.m. PT) on FOX Sports 1. MMAjunkie recaps each episode of the reality series.