On last week’s episode, Jessica Penne became the season’s second semifinalist with a decision win against Aisling Daly. Tonight, the remaining two quarterfinal bouts will take place when Joanne Calderwood battles Rose Namajunas and Tecia Torres fights Carla Esparza.
Esparza expected Torres to make it to the show’s finals but didn’t think they would fight because Torres originally lost in the opening round. The 27-year-old credits Sergio Pettis with teaching her a lot and is pleased he will be cornering her for the fight. Esparza plans on taking her opponent to the mat and submitting her.
Herb Dean will be overseeing the festivities. The ladies do not touch gloves as the fight kicks off. Esparza paws at Torres with her right hand, then shoots for a takedown but it’s sprawled upon. The two circle each other, tentative to give an inch. Esparza shoots again but Torres narrowly writhes free and they reset in the center. A third takedown attempt from Esparza fails, but after going all-in a fourth time, Esparza finally drags her foe to the mat. Esparza looks to get underhooks, but Torres battles out and gains wrist control as Esparza clings to her back. The action slows along the cage, Esparza gets a strong grip around the neck of Torres, then throws her to the floor. Torres doesn’t panic, escapes the hold and stands up with a minute remaining in the opening round. This doesn’t last long, as Esparza scores the double-leg takedown and stays on top to close out the frame.
Torres comes out bobbing and weaving, trying to find some sort of rhythm on the feet against the wrestling-minded Esparza. Torres lands a grazing shot. Esparza retaliates with two consecutive single-leg takedown attempts that are avoided by Torres. Esparza walks toward Torres and shoots again but it’s sprawled upon. Esparza is breathing heavily, mouth agape, but she scores a takedown after timing her attempt against a punching combination from Torres. The pair tussles on the ground. Torres manages to stand upright again. Esparza drapes her body over her opponent, transitioning to the back with 90 seconds left. They stall along the cage. The second round ends with Esparza getting another takedown.
Esparza is awarded the victory via majority decision. She will face Penne in order to reach the final.
Calderwood plans on being aggressive against Namajunas to counteract her opponent’s strike-first mentality. Calderwood believes she has put the work in to be successful against a fighter the caliber of Namajunas.
Namajunas relishes the opportunity to fight Calderwood, as she feels that her Scottish opponent is one of the best on the show. Gilbert Melendez has put a ton of work in with Namajunas as she is the lone fighter on his team to advance to this portion of the show.
Referee Jason Herzog gets the two underway, but before even a second ticks off the clock, Namajunas attempts a head kick that grazes the chin of Calderwood. This wakes up Calderwood, who successfully trips Namajunas and takes mount. They remain patient on the ground, Calderwood slowly looking to pass while Namajunas secures her guard. A burst from Namajunas gets her back upright. They trade shots and wind up against the cage, with Namajunas eventually scoring a takedown. Calderwood is back standing in no time. They trade punches from the inside, then Calderwood takes Namajunas to the floor with a nicely timed throw. Namajunas looks for an armbar, then transitions to a leg lock, but Calderwood escapes and winds up on top. Namajunas attacks the arm again, this time in the form of a kimura, but Calderwood rolls through. Namajunas is now in the dominant position. After two hammer fists, she burrows her head into the chest of Calderwood as the round expires.
The second round opens slower. This time, Calderwood opens the proceedings with a push kick that knocks Namajunas from her feet. Namajunas lands a stiff left hook to the chin of Calderwood, but Calderwood comes back with big knees to the gut of her opponent. Calderwood utilizing knees to keep Namajunas against the cage, but Namajunas punches her way out of it. They flail across the Octagon. Calderwood takes the action to the floor. Namajunas briefly looks for a kimura, seems to let go for a second, then suddenly wrenches it back to force the submission.
The semifinals are set: Esparza versus Penne, and Namajunas against Randa Markos. The four women will be vying for a spot in “The Ultimate Fighter: 20” finale on Dec. 12 in Las Vegas.