The UFC’s reality series “The Ultimate Fighter” continues this week with the fourth episode of the 29th season.
This season, teams consist of bantamweight and middleweight fighters coached by featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski and former title challenger Brian Ortega.
If you missed the previous episodes, check out those highlights below:
Continue reading for the highlights of the fourth episode, which streamed Tuesday on ESPN+.
A newfound friendship
In the aftermath of their Episode 3 fight, Tresean Gore and Ryder Newman have a newfound respect for one another. As the two share a post-fight meal in the house, a swollen-faced Newman reveals he’s rooting for Gore to win the entire tournament.
“Just keep your head up and continue to be faithful,” Gore told Newman as they sat on a couch in the house. “Be faithful, bro. I saw you came off some tough losses, but you came back, and you went in there and beat some tough guys. That’s faith. That’s faith in God, bro. You pat yourself on the back. You be proud of who you are. You got here, bro. And I’m very proud of you, bro. I’m proud of you as a man and as a fighter.”
Rallying the troops
Down 3-0 in the head-to-head battle with Team Ortega, coach Alexander Volkanovski tries to boost team morale in training.
In an attempt to elevate training levels, Volkanovski brings in former “TUF” winner and current UFC welterweight contender Michael Chiesa. TUF 29 bantamweight Brady Hiestand, who is yet to compete this season, is a training partner and protege of Chiesa – and was enthused to see a familiar face from back home in Spokane, Wash.
Team Ortega bonding
Five days before the fight, Tresean Gore invites the Team Ortega coaching staff over to the house for a feast of steaks and other tasty helpings.
The team bonds over the meal and getting haircuts from a visiting barber. Coach Brian Ortega debates keeping himself closed and secretive, but the love and openness of his fighters sucks him into sharing about his personal life.
Spotlight on Dustin Lampros
Tale of the tape:
- Age: 27
- Professional MMA record: 5-0
- Height: 5’7″
- Reach: 69.5″
- Weigh-in weight: 136
Lampros grew up in Freeburg, Ill., which he calls a “small country town of cornfields and backroads.” When he was a junior in high school, Lampros met Tyron Woodley and at a church. Woodley invited Lampros to train at his new gym, an offer that was accepted. At 18, Lampros debuted as a professional, and he now trains at Sanford MMA in South Florida. After the unexpected death of his mother, Lampros fights for the future of his little brother.
Spotlight on Vince Murdock
Tale of the tape:
- Age: 30
- Professional MMA record: 12-4
- Height: 5’6″
- Reach: 64.5″
- Weigh-in weight: 136 pounds
A key member of Team Alpha Male in Sacramento, Calif., Murdock received the dream phone call he had been waiting for in 2019 – a short-notice offer to fight in the UFC. However, his walk to the cage never occurred. Days before the fight, Murdock failed pre-fight medicals when one of his tests showed brain abnormalities. He was diagnosed with a rare brain condition called moyamoya, which required an 11-hour surgery and put his fighting future in question. Defying the odds, Murdock looks to sign a UFC contract once again – and this time, to actually compete.
Lampros vs. Murdock – Round 1
Murdock came out with a kick-heavy attack. Lampros took the approach of a counter-puncher. The two clinched and engaged in dirty boxing, which Murdock got the better of, with a few hard punches. Lampros landed a pair of hard overhand rights, but Murdock countered.
A massive overhand right from Murdock dropped Lampros, who scrambled to recover. Murdock pounced and landed a few hard punches. Lampros tried to get to his feet but turned his back and was met by a hard Murdock knee. The blow dropped Lampros and only one more punch from Murdock was needed for referee Jason Herzog to intervene.
Official result: Vince Murdock def. Dustin Lampros via knockout (strikes) – Round 1, 2:40
The fifth fight
With Team Ortega now leading the competition 4-0, Team Volkanovski seeks its first win of the season when Bryan Battle (5-1) fights Kemran Lachinov (10-3).
During the official announcement of the fifth fight, things got heated when Volkanovski and Ortega exchanged words. Chiesa and Team Ortega assistant Paul Herrera also engaged in back-and-forth after Chiesa accused Herrera of trash-talking the fighters, rather than the other coaches.
“This is the battle of the last picks,” Battle said. “Kemran, he kind of is a wild man. He’s a tough dude but I’m probably the worst matchup in the house for him because I won’t be tired. He’s not going to wear me down.”
Lachinov added, “I’m just excited to fight. It’s been one hell of a ride being in a lockdown and not being able to throw down hands, I just want to get back in there and get that energy out – get a couple of punches and show my skills to the world.”