The Ultimate Fighter 18 Week 5 Notes: Ronda Rousey’s Mom Pays a Visit

UFC women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey’s mom, AnnMaria De Mars, paid a visit to the UFC Training Center to assist Team Rousey during the fifth episode of The Ultimate Fighter 18.  Some of the fighters struggle to maintain their weight while another male fighter advanced to the next round.

Weighty Issues

Some of the fighters have taken full advantage of the endless supply of food in the house and have put on pounds since moving in.  They have to weigh-in at 136 pounds or less.

“It’s definitely tough to stay away from the crappy foods and always eat clean.  So far it’s been pretty hard.  It’s just going to get harder from here on out,” said Team Tate’s Chris Holdsworth.

“I am eating unhealthy and healthy things, but as far as weight goes I’m sitting at 150 with two guys on my team five and six pounds heavier than me,” said Team Rousey’s Anthony Gutierrez.

Team Tate’s Cody Bollinger checked his weight and tipped the scales at 157.5-pounds.

“I’m definitely one of the heavier guys probably in the whole house,” said Bollinger.  “But I’ve wrestled my whole life and fought for a while.  I don’t miss weight.  It might be a little harder for me, but I’ve got it under control.”

Ronda Rousey’s Mom Pays a Visit

AnnMaria De Mars, also know as Ronda Rousey’s mom, was invited by her daughter to come and work with her team.

“A lot of people I think will understand me a lot more after they see my mom,” said Coach Rousey.

“In addition to being Ronda’s mom, I was also the world Judo champion.  It wasn’t just like, hey mom, could you bake me cookies and come here and talk about mat work.  She asked me to come out and talk to the athletes a little bit,” said De Mars.

“She’s five-foot-two, but she can look at a six-foot-five man in a way that makes that guy scared.  She’s got that intensity about her.  It’s funny.  I’m the nice one.  I’m totally the nice one,” said Rousey.  “Everything I know comes from my mom.”

Team Rousey’s Jessamyn Duke understands Rousey more after meeting her mother.

“Ronda makes a lot more sense, her intensity, her competitiveness.  All of those things are clear once you meet her mom,” said Duke.

The Fight: David Grant vs. Louis Fisette

Louis Fisette was brought back into the competition after losing his fight to get into the house to Chris Holdsworth by submission when Team Tate’s Tim Gorman was unable to continue due to a leg injury.

In the house, Fisette and David Grant are roommates and friends, but came on the show to win.

Grant took the fight to Fisette in the opening round, backing him up with punches. He took the fight to the ground and landed a barrage of punches and elbows.  Outside of escaping an armbar submission attempt and briefly gaining top position, Fisette had a rough first round.  Grant was slamming down elbows to the side Fisette’s head at the end of the round.  Fiscette was bloodied, but saved by the bell.

Fisette immediately tried to get the fight to the ground in the second frame, but Grant shook off the takedown attempt and slammed Fiscette to the canvas.  Grant landed in side control and quickly advanced his position to the mount.  Fisette rolled, giving up his back, and Grant locked on a rear naked choke that forced Fisette to tap out.

“It was tough, but I’m so pleased to get the win.  Family is my motivation and I feel as if I’m doing them quite proud now, but it’s not enough.  I’m going all the way,” said Grant following the win.

“I had my second opportunity and I feel like I let it slip between my hands again.  I feel like I let a lot of people down.  I tried to put on a good fight.  It was a one-sided beating and he was laying the hammer down this time,” said Fisette following the loss.

Fight Announcement

Grant’s win evened the team score at two wins each and allowed Team Rousey to maintain matchmaking control.  Coach Rousey selected Jessamyn Duke to face Team Tate’s Raquel Pennington in next week’s episode.

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