TUF 19 Week 11 Notes: Team Edgar Advances Another Fighter Into Finals | MMAWeekly.com

Team Edgar teammates Corey Anderson and Patrick Walsh fought for a spot in the light heavyweight finals on the eleventh episode of The Ultimate Fighter 19.  Controversy arose when Walsh decided to train with Team Penn.

Team Edgar Turns on Patrick Walsh

“I’m missing home. I’m missing my girl, but I’m putting all that aside. There’s too much at stake now and I couldn’t live with myself if I didn’t take this last week and do everything I can to be The Ultimate Fighter,” said Walsh. “Coming down to this last week, I took a look at the schedule and seeing just one practice a day throughout the rest of the week, it just really bothered me.

“I’m trying to be the best fighter possible. And if I could workout with the blue team, if I could workout with BJ Penn, and pick his brain, that’s just something that I would aspire to do. It would be something that would be amazing,” added Walsh.

Coach Frankie Edgar gave Walsh permission to work with Team Penn.

“Pat Walsh is working out with us today. Walsh is fighting Corey Anderson. He asked me if it would be okay if he came to the gym. I asked some of the guys. Everybody said it was cool,” explained Penn.

After he found out that Walsh worked out with the other team and got two workouts in, Anderson felt it was unfair.

“If he’s going to be getting two workouts a day, going with us and then going with them, that ain’t fair,” said Anderson.

“We found out that Pat decided to go workout with the blue team. You’ve got teammates that are fighting the blue team. How do we know you’re not telling those guys what we do,” he questioned.

Walsh did provide information about Matt Van Buren to Team Penn’s Daniel Spohn when the two fight in the next light heavyweight semifinal bout. He also gave Team Penn’s Roger Zapata a scouting report on Dhiego Lima. He demonstrated their techniques and styles to the fighters his teammates are going to face next.

“There’s no explanation for him going and training with the blue team. We’ve got over ten friggen coaches here to help us, and he’s got to go to the other team to ask for help? I don’t know. It doesn’t fly with me. Let’s just put it that way,” said Lima.

Anderson confronted Walsh about the issue and suggested he leave Team Edgar. Walsh had no intentions of switching teams and explained that he was just trying to get extra gym time in.

Tensions came to a head prior to a Team Edgar workout session while the entire team was in the locker room. Coach Edgar took partial blame for the situation, but told Walsh he could no longer work with Team Penn unless he wanted to join Team Penn. After being confronted by assistant coach Ricardo Almeida, Walsh stormed out of the locker room.

“We addressed it. Pat was a little emotional. He kind of didn’t understand the situation,” said Edgar.

“Corey had a big issue with me getting another workout in. I had spoke with Frankie, and he decided to bring it up in front of everyone. And it was just heartbreaking to have everyone attacking me at the same time,” said Walsh. “What bothers me the most is that I got to the point of being emotional. And it shouldn’t be like that. I should be focusing on my fight, and I shouldn’t have 10-plus people giving me shit about it.”

The Fight: Patrick Walsh vs. Corey Anderson

Anderson use footwork and head movement to make Walsh miss with his punches. He pressured Walsh and landed combinations while mixing it up with two takedowns in the opening round.

Walsh came out aggressive in the second stanza.  He pressed forward and landed strikes.  As Anderson predicted, Walsh slowed as the fight wore on.  His arms were at his sides and his punches became labored.  Anderson began landing with more regularity.  He clinched and delivered a hard knee that staggered Walsh, but was unable to get the finish.  By the end of the round, Walsh was visibly exhausted.

Anderson utilized his jab to keep Walsh at distance in the early going of the final round.  Walsh briefly got a second wind and landed punches, but faded as the round continued.  Anderson began to land counter shots as Walsh missed with winging punches.  When it was all said and done, the judges scored the fight for Anderson by unanimous decision.

“I feel great.  I did what I planned to do.  I came in and executed the plan pretty good and came out with the W.  Couldn’t ask for a better feeling right now,” said Anderson after advancing to the finals.

“Obviously disappointed I’m not moving into the finals, but Corey was the better guy today.  I’m a little bummed out about it, but we got a red team member into the finals.  He’s a great competitor, and I’m glad I can call him a friend,” said Walsh following the loss.