Yahoo Sports The Ultimate Fighter 22, Episode 3 Notes: Tensions Build and Conor McGregor Loses His Mind
On the third episode of The Ultimate Fighter: Team McGregor vs. Team Faber, tensions between coaches Conor McGregor and Urijah Faber build, and McGregor loses his cool while corning his fighter.
The Fight: Chris Gruetzemacher (12-2) vs. Sascha Sharma (8-2)
Following Ryan Hall’s submission win in episode 2, Team Faber retained matchmaking control and lined Chris Gruetzemacher up against Team McGregor’s Sascha Sharma.
Sharma took the fight to Gruetzemacher in the opening round, landing clean shots in the exchanges and delivering knees to the body in the clinch. Gruetzemacher scored a takedown and Sharma applied a triangle choke, but the American freed his head and escaped. Sharma secured two takedowns in the round, but was unable to control Gruetzemacher on the ground. He pulled guard late in the frame and Gruetzemacher made him pay for it by landing punches and elbows from the top position.
Sharma quickly shoot for a takedown in the second frame from the outside. Gruetzemacher easily stuffed it and spent the majority of the round delivering elbows and punches that left the German bloodied.
During the round, Coach McGregor lost his cool. “Stay on your (expletive) feet,” he repeatedly shouted.
A “sudden victory” round was needed to determine the winner. Sharma ignored his coach’s advice and immediately tried to get the fight to the ground. Gruetzemacher gained top position and hammered away with punches.
“Don’t be going to your back like a (expletive),” McGregor yelled as he paced. “Stand up! Stand up!”
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After 15 minutes of fighting, Gruetzemacher was awarded the unanimous decision.
“Conor starts losing it, which is hilarious because he told me that he wasn’t planning on getting too invested in the guys. He’s got armpit sweat rings and throwing his sunglasses. It was too funny,” recalled Faber.
McGregor’s Coaching Comes Under Fire
“Conor has taken a very interesting approach to coaching. He has a practice in the morning and a practice at night. He doesn’t show up for the practice in the morning. He lets his assistant coaches put them through a light workout and then he shows up at night and is actually very technical and hands-on,” said UFC president Dana White.
“I think you need to start showing up at morning practice from now on out and help these guys out,” Faber said to McGregor following the fight.
Next Bout Announcement
With Gruetzemacher’s win, Team Faber retained matchmaking control and decided to match Tom Gallicchio against Team McGregor’s Marcin Wrzosek.
