The Ultimate Fighter 18 Week 2 Notes: Injury Forces a Fighter Out and Rousey vs. Tate Rivalry Heats Up

The 16 men and women who advanced through the elimination round moved into the fighter house on the second episode of The Ultimate Fighter: Team Rousey vs. Team Tate.  An injury forced one fighter off the show, while top team picks Julianna Pena and Shayna Baszler competed in the first fight of the season.

Tim Gorman is forced off the show due to injury

Tim Gorman defeated Lee Sandmeier in the elimination round to earn his spot in the fighter house, but suffered an injured hamstring in the process.  Gorman was the last male selected by Team Tate.

After consulting with a doctor and having an MRI, Gorman was informed that he wasn’t medically fit to continue.  The doctor recommended four to six months rehabilitation.

“It was my dream to fight in the UFC and I would have fought with my leg torn and just did the best I could, but they’re making me go home,” said the disappointed Gorman.

Louis Fisette is brought back to replace Gorman

Fisette was defeated by Chris Holdsworth during the elimination round via submission, but impressed the coaches and UFC president Dana White in the loss.

“He went against a really good submission guy and got caught, so it wasn’t like he got knocked out or he got dominated through the whole fight.  I like the kid, so I chose to bring him back,” said White.

“It’s my second shot at a once in a lifetime opportunity, and I’m looking to make the best of it,” said Fisette.

Baszler vs. Pena pre-fight talk

Baszler was considered the favorite by nearly everyone in the fighter house heading into the bout with Pena.  Baszler’s 24-fight experience overshadowed Pena’s six fights.  “I’ve fought the best in the world and she can’t hold a candle to them,” said Baszler.  “She doesn’t deserve to be in the same ring with me.  She should be coming to my seminars and learning from me.”

“Shayna, I want to kick your ass and that’s exactly what I’m going to do, “ stated Pena.

The Fight: Shayna Baszler vs. Julianna Pena

Pena came out aggressive, but Baszler drew on her wrestling ability to control most of the opening round.  She took Pena’s back at one point.  She spent time in side control, but late in the round Pena gained top position and the tide began to turn.

Pena began to land heavy punches in the second round, wobbling Baszler with a left hook.  She landed knees in the clinch and secured a takedown.  Pena took Baszler’s back and applied a rear naked choke that forced Baszler to tap out.

Fight Announcement

Team Tate gained matchmaking control with the submission victory and got to decide the first male fight of the season.  Coach Miesha Tate decided to match Chris Holdsworth against Team Rousey’s Chris Beal.

Tate said she decided to pick Beal because he had a hand injury.

“She specifically picked Chris because they know he has a hurt hand.  It’s some (expletive),” said an infuriated coach Ronda Rousey.  “Chris is going to beat him with one (expletive) hand.”