Latest news with #TheUltimateFighter33
USA Today
a day ago
- Sport
- USA Today
UFC 319 video: Joseph Morales dominates, finishes Alibi Idiris to win 'TUF 33'
It was nearly seven years between UFC fights for Joseph Morales, but he refused to let his second opportunity slip away. In the UFC 319 preliminary card opener Saturday, Morales (13-2 MMA, 2-2 UFC) dominated the heavy favorite Alibi Idiris to win "The Ultimate Fighter 33" flyweight tournament. Morales submitted Idiris (10-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC) by triangle choke at 3:04 of Round 2. The event took place at United Center in Chicago. Morales, 30, defeated Eduardo Chapolin and Imanol Rodriguez to reach Saturday's final. Although those two bouts were exhibitions, Morales was 3-0 in professional bouts since his UFC departure in 2018. Morales went 1-2 in his first UFC stint but was shown the door after two-straight losses. Up-to-the-minute UFC 319 results include:
USA Today
24-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
'New star flyweight?': 'TUF 33' fighter promises Dana White he's the real deal after nasty KO
Alibi Idiris ran to Dana White after his flying knee knockout on #TUF33 🗣️ Could Alibi Idiris be the future of the UFC flyweight division? If you ask him, he sure thinks so. In his "The Ultimate Fighter 33" semifinal bout that aired Wednesday on ESPN/ESPN+, Idiris (10-0) made quick work of Goat Shed product Roybert Echeverria (10-2) with a flying knee knockout in Round 1. Immediately after the victory, Kazakhstan's Idiris ran to Dana White to let him know what's what. "I want bonus from you, bro," Idiris said through the cage to White. "My name is Alibi Idiris. I have 12 wins, no losses. I'm the new star flyweight." Idiris, 25, has a knack for the violent attack. While this bout was an exhibition, his two most recent professional wins have come in brutal fashion, including this spinning back kick. A large exporter of spinning shit (Alibi Idiris) Idiris will now compete in the "TUF 33" flyweight final, which is expected to take place on the UFC 319 undercard Aug. 16 in Chicago, according to multiple sources who informed MMA Junkie of the plans. He'll face the winner of Imanol Rodriguez (5-0) vs. Joseph Morales (12-2).
Time of India
25-06-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
How Episode 5 results flipped pressure on Daniel Cormier vs Chael Sonnen rivalry
How Episode 5 results flipped pressure on Daniel Cormier vs Chael Sonnen rivalry (Image Source: Youtube) 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. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like FREE，從源頭開始的自然美 FREE輝盟 了解更多 Undo 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. Also Read: 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.
USA Today
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
UFC's Brad Tavares still sees importance of 'The Ultimate Fighter' to modern MMA
UFC's Brad Tavares still sees importance of 'The Ultimate Fighter' to modern MMA Brad Tavares explains why there's still a place for TUF despite Contender Series' massive success. "The Ultimate Fighter" likely saved the UFC from bankruptcy and maybe even the entire sport of mixed martial arts. The success of the UFC's reality series, which launched in 2004 under Spike TV, has been evident through the years. From creating a generation of MMA fans to multiple UFC champions, TUF has been an important part of UFC history, especially in its early days when it was still fighting for public approval. Fast-forward 20 years and 32 seasons later, and "TUF" doesn't the same cache it did back in the day. With the success of Dana White's Contender Series in recent years, which has appeared to overshadow "TUF," many have questioned if the show has run its course. Brad Tavares, a cast-member of Season 11 of "TUF," thinks there's a place for both series and believes "TUF" can still serve an important purpose. "I think there's a lane for both of them," Tavares told MMA Junkie. "What I see in the Contender Series, granted they do make it younger up-and-coming fighters, but I do notice about those guys fighting that they have some experience. They might not have a bunch of fights, but they have that experience, and they might've had a couple of big fights in LFA or Tuff N Uff or whatever feeder shows they have. When I think of 'TUF,' I think of myself. I had four fights. I was 22 years old. I was a baby. I spent my life, a big portion of my life, in the UFC. My fighting career, I grew up in the UFC. I feel like that's better for those younger guys, like it's kind of stages. I'd say for the younger green guys, where you can see the talent there, but they still have to evolve and form into a more complete fighter, I think 'TUF' is great for them. With the guys that are already kind of past that, I think Contender Series." "The Ultimate Fighter 33" premiered Tuesday, celebrating 20 years of the show's history. Tavares, who is now on the tail end of his UFC career, is thankful for the show's existence. He strongly believes his appearance has significantly influenced his career for the better. "I've been in the UFC for 15 years now, and I literally wouldn't be here without 'TUF,'" Tavares said. "That was my foot in the door. I feel like I would've eventually gotten to the UFC. It was always a goal I was chasing. But to get in at such an early age, and to have that platform to show the nation who I was, just this kid from a little island in the Pacific Ocean, not a lot of people knew who I was. ... It paved the way for me and for so many fighters."
USA Today
28-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
'The Ultimate Fighter 33': Cormier vs. Sonnen, Episode 1: UFC alum vs. LFA champ ends quickly
'The Ultimate Fighter 33': Cormier vs. Sonnen, Episode 1: UFC alum vs. LFA champ ends quickly Twenty years after it initially premiered, "The Ultimate Fighter" is back for Season 33. "TUF 33" streamed its first episode Tuesday during which coaches Daniel Cormier and Chael Sonnen evaluated talent, picked teams and faced off vicariously through their first head-to-head matchup. The season features two weight classes as eight welterweights and eight flyweights work their way through a bracket with the hope of punching a ticket to the final – and then earning a six-figure UFC deal. Here are the official teams for "TUF 33," selected by the coaches: Team Cormier Flyweights: Eduardo Henrique (1), Alibi Idiris (3), Imanol Rodriguez (5), Tumelo Manyamala (7) Welterweights: Rodrigo Sezinando (1), Daniil Donchenko (3), Jeff Creighton (5), Alex Sanchez (7) Team Sonnen Flyweights: Joseph Morales (2), Furkatbek Yokubov (4), Roybert Echeverria (6), Arshiyan Memon (8) Welterweights: Diego Bianchini (2), Matt Dixon (4), Richard Martins (6), Andreeas Binder (8) Fight 1: Eduardo Henrique (CS) vs. Joseph Morales (DC) The first fight of the season took place between the top two flyweight selections. Former UFC fighter and Team Alpha Male member Joseph Morales (12-2) said he was surprised Cormier took LFA flyweight champ Eduardo Henrique (13-2) – and he showed why. In less than half a round, Morales dragged Henrique to the canvas and tapped him out with a rear-naked choke. Morales was all sorts of fired up as he tauntingly screamed, "Uh vai morrer," at the downed Brazilian. "I feel like some of the weight has been lifted off my shoulders and I'm ready to move onto the next fight honestly," Morales said." Next week's matchup On Episode 2, the first two welterweights will square off as Team Cormier's Daniil Donchenko (11-2) battles Team Sonnen's Richard Martins (9-1). "TUF 33" airs every Tuesday at 10 p.m. ET and can be watched on ESPN 2, ESPN Deportes, and ESPN+.
