The Ultimate Fighter 33: Thrilling Sub Starts Bracket

The first episode of the latest iteration of the hit television program The Ultimate Fighter did not disappoint with an electrifying first quarterfinal match. 

The Ultimate Fighter Kicks Off Newest Season With Promising Cast of Competitors

For the 33rd time, The Ultimate Fighter brings together some of the most promising prospective flyweight and welterweight mixed martial arts athletes from all over the world. With a menagerie of talented individuals from such countries like India, Brazil, the United States and Kazakhstan gathered into the TUF house this time around, The Ultimate Fighter appears more diverse than ever.

Cormier, Sonnen Coach The Ultimate Fighter’s Teams This Season

Taking up the coaching positions, former two-division champion Daniel Cormier and three-time UFC title challenger Chael Sonnen reprise their roles from previous seasons to help train the next wave of promotional hopefuls. 

Making his first appearance on the show back in 2018, Cormier helped lead several future stars such as Brad Katona and Bryce Mitchell toward receiving their own UFC contracts, with Katona winning the featherweight portion of the competition. He then went on to face rival trainer Stipe Miocic in a championship superfight, knocking out the Midwesterner to earn the heavyweight belt.

For Sonnen, his second inclusion on The Ultimate Fighter comes much later after his first. Joining the series in 2013, the Oregon representative guided the likes of Kelvin Gastelum and Uriah Hall to a memorable clash in the finale. While he talked an extraordinary game leading up to his eventual matchup with fellow coach Jon Jones, “The American Gangster” was thoroughly dominated en route to a first round stoppage. 

Eduardo Henrique vs. Joseph Morales Produces Exciting Finish on The Ultimate Fighter

Taking center stage in the first match of the bracket, Brazil’s Eduardo Henrique fought the United States’ Joseph Morales. Both men were Cormier’s and Sonnen’s No. 1 flyweight picks.  

Touted as perhaps the best fighter on the show, Henrique came into The Ultimate Fighter with much fanfare. Riding a three-fight win streak, “Chapolin” was coming off a career-defining performance against Igor Siqueira at LFA 190 last August. Siqueira had attempted to unify the promotion’s flyweight straps after capturing the interim, however, Henrique spoiled those plans by starching “The Golden Boy” in round one. 

Unlike the other participants in the competition, Morales already boasts experience of having competed in the UFC. Logging three bouts in the company from 2017 to 2018, “Bopo” garnered a 1-2 record, with his most notable scrap in that time period coming against two-time 125-lb champion Deiveson Figueiredo, who soundly trounced Morales by knockout. 

Despite his credentials as a heavy-handed LFA belt-holder, Henrique was taken down to the canvas almost immediately as soon as the fight started. Looking clueless in the face of the American’s grappling, Morales handedly secured the rear-naked choke stoppage in the first round. Toppling the intimidating Brazilian with ease, Team Sonnen nabs the momentum in the tournament with a statement-making victory.