On tonight’s episode, two semifinal bouts will decide who earns a shot at the inaugural UFC women’s strawweight belt at Friday’s “The Ultimate Fighter 20” Finale in Las Vegas.
Felice Herrig is not excited about Penne and Esparza fighting each other. The three have become inseparable over the course of the season, and a fight between friends puts a strain on the trio’s relationship.
Anthony Pettis and his assistant coaches train both women at the same time, on opposite ends of the gym. Esparza and Penne discuss how they refrain from looking across the room at their upcoming opponent out of respect for their friendship.
Esparza’s game plan revolves around taking Penne down to the ground, but not allowing the fight to stay on the mat too long because of Penne’s strong jiu-jitsu background. Penne is well aware of this strategy but doesn’t feel as if she will have any issues turning the action in her favor.
Referee Jason Herzog is the lone man inside the Octagon. The fight opens with Esparza touching Penne with her jab, culminating in two stiff right hands. Esparza is circling, while Penne slowly walks down her opponent. A third big right hand lands for Esparza. Penne comes back with a left hook of her own that lands flush. A three-punch combination from Esparza scores, rattling Penne in the process. Another big shot from Esparza hits its mark; Penne is now showing some swelling under her left eye. Esparza is striking in a good rhythm, which she parlays into her first takedown attempt of the fight. The momentum from the maneuver rolls them both over and right back up to their feet. An uppercut from Esparza scores, and Penne comes back with an overhand right. A leg kick by Esparza gets checked, but she explodes with a takedown attempt, managing to take the fight to the mat for the first time. This is how the first round concludes.
The right hand of Esparza continues to get through, busting up the left eye of Penne. Esparza is continuing to move from left to right. The two trade punches, each grazing each other. A big left hook from Esparza hits the chin of Penne, wobbling her. Esparza quickly changes levels, shoots for the takedown but as soon as they hit the mat she chooses to stand right back up. After about 20 seconds, Esparza shoots again, scoring her second takedown of the round. This time she stays in top position, throwing small punches to the side of Penne’s head. Herzog doesn’t waste much time in standing them up. With one minute left in the frame, Penne opens up a bit, but it allows Esparza to counter with the right hand. Esparza picks her shots and gets the better of the exchanges. At the end of the round the camera shows that Esparza has developed a large mouse underneath her right eye.
The third and final round opens with Esparza catching Penne with two consecutive right hands. This right hand has been the story of the fight. Penne continues coming forward, closing the distance as best she can. Penne paws at Esparza from afar with the jab, but there isn’t anything behind it. Esparza lands a quick body-head combination, which she then follows with a big elbow. Esparza circling to her right, doing her best to protect the swelling underneath her eye. Both continue trading punches, the pace has slowed a bit, but for the most part they are standing in the pocket. An overhand right from Esparza lands, then another right hand. Penne attempts to clinch but Esparza breaks free. Esparza presses Penne against the cage for a moment, but Penne fights out of the situation. Penne is turning it on here again in the final minute, pressing the action. Esparza is picking her shots but is eating the jab to her left eye, which has really swelled up. A shot from Esparza drops Penne to the mat, but she bounces back up quickly. Esparza scores a takedown as the fight comes to a close. The two immediately embrace.
All three judges score the fight 30-27 in favor of Esparza.
Namajunas refers to Markos as a “high-level opponent,” but feels as if her unorthodox striking techniques will be too much for Markos to handle. Since Namajunas is the lone Team Melendez fighter in the competition, she appreciates all the support from her team.
Markos doesn’t change anything during her training for Namajunas. She wants to remain focused on what has gotten her this far in the competition and not worry about preparing for a specific fighter. If she had her way, Markos would mount Namajunas and finish the fight. As a gift for Markos’ birthday, she is allowed to call her sister back home. It’s a big emotional release for Markos and inspires her heading into what she calls “the biggest fight of her career.”
Namajunas doesn’t explode at the beginning of the fight as she has in the past. The two remain cautious in the beginning, until suddenly Markos jolts forward with a punching combination. This seems to rattle Namajunas, who immediately closes the distance and scores the first takedown of the fight. The two jockey for position on the ground, but Namajunas climbs on top. In the mount, Namajunas drops elbows to the head of Markos. This sparks movement from Markos, who pushes Namajunas away and during the scramble assumes top position. Namajunas begins working for a kimura, cranking the hold. Out of desperation, Markos flips over to take tension off her arm, but it’s too late and she is forced to submit.
The final is set: Esparza versus Namajunas. The two women will be vying for the inaugural UFC women’s strawweight championship.