The chemistry problems of Team Melendez continued to percolate in Episode 5 of The Ultimate Fighter.
#11 Heather Jo Clark (6-4-0) was tapped to fight #6 Felice Herrig (9-5-0).
They fought previously at Bellator 94 with Herrig winning a split-decision.
Will Clark return the favour?
MMA Crossfire Experts Cassie Wiseman and Kenai Andrews check in with thoughts on Episode 5.
Welcome back to The Crossfire.
MMA Crossfire Expert Cassie Wiseman:
TUF 20: EPISODE 5 THOUGHTS
Wiseman: This was a grudge match which always makes for an interesting fight. Clark has been the oddball from the start of the season, so everyone really just wanted Felice to beat her up again. However, Clark put up a good fight for the most part. The first round had both girls shining with transitions from the ground. The second round had Felice dominating more, but it wasn’t a blood battle like I had expected. When looking at both girls and comparing them to the fight style of Esparaza, neither match up well against her. The positive side to the fight was the fact that they finally put their bitterness towards each other aside. Now lets see if anyone talks to Clark throughout the remainder of the season.
The surprise twist of the episode involved bringing back Torres after the unfortunate news delivered to Justine Kish regarding her ACL.
Certainly something that no fighter wants to hear, but based on how hard she was working she will definitely be back. Lucky #3 seat Tecia Torres is now back in the game, but flipped to the opposite team, Team Pettis. Interesting to see how the girls are put off by having her join their team, but Uncle Dana has been real clear in the fact that MMA is an individual sport.
For some reason the fact that these ladies are on teams is making them forget that with Pettis up 5-0 they will all be fighting each other real soon.
Andrews: Team Pettis suffered a blow when the doctor told Justine Kish she had a tear of her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in her knee. Surgery was recommended, which meant she was out of TUF.
As Cassie mentioned, #3 Tecia Torres is back!
MMA Crossfire readers keeping score remember Torres lost previously to Canadian Randa Markos in the first episode.
The remaining Team Melendez and Pettis members didn’t forget. It was an uncomfortable place for Torres.
Clark was criticized for not participating in training, highlighted by teammate Amanda raising concerns in a group meeting.
She had a problem with her left knee going into the fight.
The first round was fairly even. Herrig and Clark both landed good strikes and went for submissions. Clark tried the guillotine and Herrig went for the armbar.
The second round went to Herrig who landed more strikes and takedowns. Clark didn’t have as much starch as in the first round.
Clark did not throw any kicks in the fight.
The judges scored it 20-18 Herrig.
Team Pettis is now 5-0. Gilbert Melendez must be beside himself.
But now is not the time for pity parties.
Team Pettis’ #5 Aisling Daly against Team Melendez’s #12 Angela Magana, next week.
