The Ultimate Fighter 29: Here’s What Happened Until Episode 2

The Ultimate Fighter 29: Volkanovski vs Ortega is underway, and the show has captured the attention of fight fans. The reality show aired on June 1 and is heading into its third week. Episode 2, which aired on June 8, has left hardcore viewers of the show pining for more.

The episode had everything that a fan could want, right from an exciting showcase bout to getting an insider look at one of the coaches. Furthermore, there was a bonding session for the teammates, which has historically been a good sign for the team moving forward.

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Alexander Volkanovski takes to the kitchen

Alexander ‘The Great’ put on his chef’s hat as he cooked a healthy meal selection for his team. Team Volkanovski watched one of the most electrifying UFC’s pay-per-view of all time, UFC 261, and bonded over the event. As the team chowed down on low-calorie items along with steaks, Mitch Raposo geared up for his bout.

Team Ortega’s Liudvik Sholinian vs Team Volkanovski’s Mitch Raposo

With Team Ortega taking the win, and the lead in episode 1, Mitch Raposo was looking to bring things back for Team Volkanovski. The aforementioned scrap was a classic ‘striker vs wrestler’ battle that delivered on several different fronts. Raposo used movement and TD defense effectively in round 1 to ensure that the grappler in Sholinian was on the backfoot via MMA Junkie.

However, Liudvik Sholinian showed much more urgency in round two and landed the takedown that won him the round. Not to mention, the striking output from Sholinian was much more significant, ensuring that the scores were tied up.

The final round was a back-and-forth affair with successful grappling transitions on both sides. Raposo managed to reverse certain positions and threatened a guillotine submission that ultimately didn’t stick. Liudvik Sholinian’s activity on the ground and overall urgency on the ground was a defining feature of round three.

Team Ortega’s Liudvik Sholinian picked up the decision win on the judge’s scorecards and ensured his advancement. The first two scraps of season 29 have gone in the favor of Team Ortega and they’ll be keen to continue moving forward.

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