Episode No. 6 recap: 'The Ultimate Fighter 22: Team McGregor vs. Team Faber'

Urijah Faber and Conor McGregor

Episode No. 6 of “The Ultimate Fighter 22: Team McGregor vs. Team Faber” opens with Team Faber members expressing confusion over Team McGregor’s fight selection decision after back-to-back victories.

Team Faber’s Julian Erosa believes Team McGregor made a significant error by pitting him against Mehdi Baghdad. Team McGregor, however, is confident after rallying from a 0-2 deficit to tie the competition, 2-2.

At the next Team McGregor training session, Baghdad is excited to train and already feels prepared for the bout. He explains his credentials as a “K-1 world champion” and boldly states he’s ready to “cut” his opponent’s heart “like a filet mignon.”

Coach McGregor believes it’s essential for Bagdad to strike first and strike often against Erosa. If he follows the game plan, McGregor believes a knockout win is inevitable.

Team Faber has a guest trainer as Erosa finalizes his preparation. UFC bantamweight champion and “The Ultimate Fighter 14” runner-up T.J. Dillashaw joins the Team Faber coaching staff to help provide guidance and share knowledge with the athletes.

Faber explains his relationship with Dillashaw and the well-publicized riff with former head trainer Duane Ludwig and Team Alpha Male. UFC President Dana White discusses McGregor’s pestering of Faber about the situation over the course of the season, and Dillashaw believes a confrontation with McGregor is bound to occur.

At weigh-ins, Baghdad and Erosa come in under the 156-pound lightweight limit. The fifth opening-round matchup of the season is official. A friendly staredown follows the weigh-in.

Once weigh-ins are complete, the fighters are coaches are forced to wait for a photoshoot. McGregor and Faber begin to exchange words. McGregor tells Faber that Dillashaw is not “with” Team Faber and assistant coach Cody Garbrandt rebuts by insisting McGregor wouldn’t talk trash if Dillashaw were present.

McGregor, Faber and Garbrandt engage in an argument over the Dillashaw situation. McGregor says he could beat Dillashaw and Faber “at the same time” and preaches the importance of loyalty to a team.

Garbrandt grows tired of McGregor’s talk, and when challenged to act, he stands up and pushes McGregor. The fighters on each team immediately jump between McGregor and Garbrandt to separate the fighters. No punches are thrown, and the tension simmers.

Moments later, Dillashaw arrives at the “TUF” gym. McGregor immediately confronts Dillashaw with his “snake in the grass” comments, and the 135-pound champ and interim 145-pound champ go back-and-forth for several minutes. The conversation goes on until the photoshoot finally begins.

Baghdad and Erosa finalize their preparation, and the next tournament matchup is underway.

Team McGregor’s Mehdi Baghdad (11-3) vs. Team Faber’s Julian Erosa (14-2)

Round 1 – Erosa strikes first with an outside leg kick. He moves to his right and lands body kick. He circles again and throws a third kick followed by an overhand right. Baghdad presses forward, but Erosa keeps him at bay with jabs and straight kicks. Erosa’s movement and activity keeps Baghdad at a low offensive-output rate. Baghdad counters a leg kick with a left hook that causes Erosa to back off. Baghdad charges forward with another combination, and they clinch for the first time. Erosa breaks free and snaps a front kick to the face. Both fighters step into the pocket and swing wild punches. Erosa’s movement slows, but he’s still plenty active. Baghdad steps forward with another offensive outburst and lands a series of strikes. Erosa peppers Baghdad with punches and kicks, but Baghdad lands a head kick and slick inside elbow before the end of the round.

Round 2 – Erosa picks off where he left off and mixes up his striking. Baghdad lands hard leg kicks that cause Erosa to wince. Baghdad’s biggest success comes when he moves forward and stalks his opponent. He does just that and lands a big head kick. Erosa takes it and responds with a front kick and uppercut. Baghdad lands a hard left hook that stuns Erosa. He moves forward, but Erosa circles the octagon and avoids trouble. Erosa clinches and lands a knee. He scores on the way out as well as Baghdad covers up. Baghdad lands two hard standing elbows and a left hook, but Erosa continues to take all the punches without being rocked. Erosa’s movement and striking output is limited, but he’s still successful in scoring points. Both men empty their gas tanks in the final minute as they stand toe-to-toe and throw punches, kicks, elbows and flying knees.

Julian Erosa def. Mehdi Baghdad via majority decision (20-18, 19-19, 20-18)

Erosa snaps Team McGregor’s two-fight winning streak and puts Team Faber back on the path of success. Baghdad feels disappointed by the loss, but McGregor offers support and congratulates the fighter on his performance.

Team Faber leads the competition, 3-2, with Erosa’s victory. Team Faber gains control of fight selection for the next bout, and the team’s Thanh Le is selected to fight Team McGregor’s Martin Svensson.

Also see:

• Episode No. 1 recap: ‘The Ultimate Fighter 22: Team McGregor vs. Team Faber’
• Episode No. 2 recap: ‘The Ultimate Fighter 22: Team McGregor vs. Team Faber’
• Episode No. 3 recap: ‘The Ultimate Fighter 22: Team McGregor vs. Team Faber’
• Episode No. 4 recap: ‘The Ultimate Fighter 22: Team McGregor vs. Team Faber’
• Episode No. 5 recap: ‘The Ultimate Fighter 22: Team McGregor vs. Team Faber’

Catch new episodes of “The Ultimate Fighter 22: Team McGregor vs. Team Faber” every Wednesday at 10 p.m. ET on FOX Sports 1. MMAjunkie recaps each episode of the reality series.