The Ultimate Fighter went head-to-head with the final World Series game of the 2014 season. In case you missed the action, let’s break it down.
Aisling Daly faced Angela Magana this week, and the fight went like most expected. Daly dominated the later rounds and won by TKO. However, Magana was the victim of bad refereeing in the first frame, as she was stood up while working for an armbar.
Daly and Magana are two veterans of the sport that a lot of fans don’t know. They have fought the best across multiple weight divisions. Daly was once ranked as a top flyweight.
The episode focused on their backstories, but had to transition to the fight as it went the full 15. Onward to the good, the bad, and the ugly of this episode of The Ultimate Fighter:
The Good:
- A good right off the bat is getting rid of the Heather Clark hate. Deserved or not, that negativity dragged the show down.
- OK. I just love this quote from Angela Magana. “I’m a champion every fucking day. No if, ands, or buts, that’s just who I am.”
- Mentioning their past fights with the likes of Jessica Eye and others is a good nod. They aren’t protecting anyone by negating that information, and it highlights the competition these fighters were fighting prior to joining the UFC.
- It feels odd placing it here, but Daly’s openness about her depression was good to hear. There needs to be more awareness about depression. So for that reason it was good to have it on the show.
- Daly asked Dana White for UFC Fight Night 46 to be aired, and he said “Done.” It was even better to see it aired in the episode. Daly got to see her teammates go 4-0, and she even got a shoutout. A boost for her, and a nice moment in the episode.
- Daly’s performance was solid. She struggled in the opening round, but got stronger in the fight. She showed why she is in the top half of the group — an underrated fighter who has been around for a long while.
The Bad:
- Tecia Torres is still on the outside looking in with her new team. It’s disappointing they are treating her like that in this situation she didn’t ask for. Or at least, that is how the editing is making it seem.
- The stand-up in the first round was horrendous. Magana has every right to complain about that. She had Daly’s back and was working. There should never be a stand-up from that position. Awful, awful refereeing.
The Ugly:
- An oft played motif in combat sports is the “started from the bottom” type backstory. Magana’s life story hits just about all the notes. From being a heroin baby to poverty to losing her fiance. It wasn’t “bad” that it aired. It is great to learn about the athletes. But the life story of Magana is not something I wish on anyone, and it is great to see her overcome to be in the position she is today.
Rose Namajunas and Alex Chambers step inside the Octagon next week. That should be interesting considering the promotion that has surrounded Namajunas. Foreshadowing? We shall see.
• Aisling Daly vs. Angela Magana: Aisling Daly def. Angela Magana via TKO (strikes) in Round 3.
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