Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 26 results, recap for ‘Alvarez vs Gaethje’ (Ep. 4)

Season 26 of The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) was back on FOX Sports 1 last night (Weds., Sept. 20, 2017) with episode four of “Alvarez vs. Gaethje,” the all-female flyweight season searching for the next big star at 125 pounds.

If you missed episode three, click here for our complete recap.

Lauren Murphy is still pouting because she’s in the same bracket as fellow top seed Barb Honchak, who she expected to meet in the live finale. She also recognizes that she needs to stop worrying about that and instead focus on her upcoming fight against Nicco Montaño.

UFC President Dana White chimes in to pump up Murphy, fighting out of Arizona’s MMA Lab, who he poached from Invicta FC back in 2013. Her bantamweight record of 1-3 was disappointing and the reason she’s dropping to flyweight.

We shift gears to the unheralded Montano, who grew up on the Navajo reservation in New Mexico. That includes a closer look at her hometown so that ignorant palefaces like me can see what present-day Navajo life is like.

Who knew that included the FIT NHB gym in Albuquerque?

White is back to call Montano, a former King of the Cage (KOTC) champion, the dark horse of the competition. Coach Gaethje wants to make this a “dog fight” in hopes of outworking Murphy and finishing her on the ground.

Both fighters make weight without incident, though Montano needed the towel to hit 126. They have an intense staredown and the cameras get pre-fight predictions from some of the other contestants.

Let’s do this!

125 lbs.: No. 3 Lauren Murphy (9-3) vs. No. 14 Nicco Montano (3-2)

Round 1: No touch of gloves and both fighters are trying to find their range. Lots of wide, winging punches. Pair of kicks land for Montano. Murphy ties her up and Montano drives her to the cage. Murphy powers out. Back to the center of the cage and Coach Gaethje tells Montano to stop backing up and make it a fight. Murphy lumbers forward and catches a kick, bullies Montano to the cage, and drives knees to the thighs. Montano defends the takedown and Murphy expends a ton of energy for nothing but knees against the cage. Montano breaks free and Coach Alvarez chimes in for the first time all round. Only took four minutes and 20 seconds. Montano is the busier striker at the bell. Close round. 10-9 Montano.

Round 2: Both fighters come out fast and furious and some early striking leads to a Murphy single-leg takedown attempt. Montano drops down and is able to land enough elbows to get the action back to the feet. Murphy is standing and has Montano pressed against the cage, but gets reversed and is forced to push the struggle to the center of the Octagon. She drops down for another takedown and gets them to the fence, but once again cannot capitalize. Montano defends well and lands a knee. Elbows from Montano. They finally get off the fence and Murphy eats a hard kick. She answers with one of her own then runs in for a sloppy takedown attempt. Murphy in desperation mode. Montano defends and they go back to the fence. Horn sounds. Another close one that I scored for Montano 10-9. The judges agree.

Final result: Montano def. Murphy by unanimous decision

Here’s where we stand after episode four:

By fight:

No. 1 Roxanne Modafferi (21-13) def. No. 16 Shana Dobson (2-1)
No. 2 Barb Honchak (10-2) vs. No. 15 Gillian Robertson (3-2)
No. 14 Nicco Montano (3-2) def. No. 3 Lauren Murphy (9-3)
No. 4 DeAnna Bennett (8-3) def. No. 13 Karine Gevorgyan (3-2)
No. 5 Maia Stevenson (6-4) vs. No. 12 Sijara Eubanks (2-2)
No. 6 Montana Stewart (7-4) def. No. 11 Ariel Beck (4-4)
No. 7 Melinda Fabian (4-3-1) vs. No. 10 Rachael Ostovich (3-3)
No. 8 Emily Whitmire (2-1) vs. No. 9 Christina Marks (8-8)

By team:

Coach Alvarez:

Barb Honchak (10-2)
Shana Dobson (2-1)
Christina Marks (8-8)
Melinda Fabian (4-3-1)
Sijara Eubanks (2-2)
Ariel Beck (4-4)
DeAnna Bennett (8-3)
Lauren Murphy (9-3)

Coach Gaethje:

Roxanne Modafferi (21-13)
Gillian Robertson (3-2)
Emily Whitmire (2-1)
Rachael Ostovich (3-3)
Maia Stevenson (6-4)
Montana Stewart (7-4)
Karine Gevorgyan (3-2)
Nicco Montano (3-2)

I guess we don’t have to worry about that Murphy-Honchak fight.

Back in the locker room, an emotional Murphy apologizes for what was a very underwhelming performance. The room is silent as she weeps and admits she misses her family. She goes to the opposing team and congratulates Montano.

Classy.

Stay tuned next week as No. 5 Maia Stevenson (6-4) of Team Gaethje (and wife of Joe) takes on No. 12 Sijara Eubanks (2-2) of Team Alvarez. In addition, Murphy struggles with losing her fight and can’t see a way forward.

See you in seven!