How Episode 5 results flipped pressure on Daniel Cormier vs Chael Sonnen rivalry
Daniel Cormier's commanding 4-1 lead over Chael Sonnen in The Ultimate Fighter 33 has reached a critical juncture following Alibi Idiris's hard-fought victory against Furkatbek Yokubov in Episode 5.
The Kazakhstani fighter's unanimous decision win not only secured Team Cormier another semifinalist but also intensified the pressure on Team Sonnen to prevent a complete tournament sweep. With only one fighter remaining in Sonnen's corner across both weight divisions, the legendary rivalry between these coaching titans has taken a dramatic turn that could define the entire season's narrative.
Alibi Idiris's ground game dominance extends team Cormier's winning streak
The Ultimate Fighter 33 featured Alibi Idiris presenting the wrestling-heavy style that has defined Daniel Cormier's coaching.
Although he was taking a lot of early punishment due to Furkatbek Yokubov's striking ability and was even deducted a point for a legal accidental eye poke, the undefeated Kazakhstani fighter showed a lot of spirit by gaining ground control through most of the exchanges.
This win was the fourth win in a row by Team Cormier since losing the first fight, as Idiris became the second semifinal flyweight after teammate Imanol Rodriguez.
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The performance of Idiris also caught the attention of former UFC flyweight champion Brandon Moreno, who was among the guest coaches. He watched the fighter pressuring his opponent non-stop and using impressive transitions in the grappling position.
Chael Sonnen's team faces elimination crisis as tournament narrows
Team Sonnen is in a very delicate situation as Furkatbek Yokubov is eliminated, and now they have only Joseph Morales to represent their flyweight division in the semifinals.
Chael Sonnen is now left with all of his hopes in his welterweight division in the hands of Matt Dixon, who will be fighting against Team Cormier member Alex Sanchez in the quarterfinal match next Tuesday at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
These performance disparities in the two coaching styles have aggravated the woes of Team Sonnen. Although Daniel Cormier has managed to execute game plans that focus on cardio and wrestling pressure, it has been difficult to keep his fighters on track to their initial advantages as a fight progresses past the opening rounds, accrued by Sonnen and his fighters.
The next welterweight match between Alex Sanchez and Matt Dixon is perhaps the last chance for Team Sonnen to get a head start before the semifinals start. As Rose Namajunas and Raquel Pennington are expected to join Team Cormier and train, the psychological edge keeps getting shifted to the team of the former two-division UFC champion.
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How the commentary lineup could shape fan buzz for the Ilia Topuria and Charles Oliveira main event
The mounting pressure on Chael Sonnen's coaching reputation adds another layer to this storied rivalry, as Daniel Cormier appears positioned to deliver a decisive statement victory in their second season coaching together. The Ultimate Fighter 33's live finale will ultimately determine which fighters earn six-figure UFC contracts, but the coaching battle between these Hall of Fame competitors has already produced compelling television that honors the show's 20th anniversary celebration.
Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
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