TUF Ep. 8: Welterweights End Exciting Quarterfinals

Following the loss, Sezinando took his talents to The Great White North in Canada, where he began to train out of the esteemed Lions MMA gym in Vancouver. Under the tutelage of his new team, the Brazilian wrecking ball recorded four more victories, with all his matches ending by stoppage. He also captured two belts in two different weight classes, taking home the Samourai MMA Welterweight Championship and the Battlefield Fight League Super Lightweight title, which he defended once. 

Looking at TUF’s Bianchini

A student of mixed martial arts for over ten years, Bianchini is one of the most seasoned names on the show, having taken up the sport when he was just 18 years old. Possessing a slick Jiu-Jitsu game, “The Brazilian Bad Boy” has attained six submission wins across his nine overall. He also is a previous title holder himself after seizing the Batalha MMA Welterweight strap back in 2017. 

Yair Rodriguez Educates TUF Fighters

Throughout the season, Team Cormier has invited several notable UFC athletes to instruct their competitors. Keeping up with that tradition, they opted to bring in former Ultimate Fighter and interim featherweight champion Yair Rodríguez, who gave a detailed lesson on how to throw elbows. Recognized as a top contender in the UFC’s 145-lb division, Rodríguez has grappled with some of the best fighters in the world, including Josh Emmett, Brian Ortega and Alexander Volkanovski. Fighting just recently at UFC 314, the Mexican phenom bested a debuting Patrício Pitbull.

Anticipated Grudge Match Devolves into One-Sided Beatdown on TUF

Coming out of the gate with an aggressive approach, Bianchini opened up the festivities with two high kicks that failed to hit their target. Over the next several minutes, the two welterweights furiously engaged one another on the feet, with the few exceptions being Sezinando managing to trip his foe to the canvas, though in both instances he didn’t deliver any significant damage. Then, near the three-minute mark, he landed a powerful left hook that looked to have rocked Bianchini. The Team Sonnen representative seemingly recovered, however, and swiftly went back on the attack, though Sezinando would end the round after having clinched Bianchini on the cage wall.

While the first stanza of the confrontation played out as a very even affair, the second round did not, as Sezinando took Bianchini assumed top control after reversing a takedown. Making the most of his position, the Lions MMA product continually bashed his foe with relentless ground and pound, opening a grisly cut on Bianchini’s nose. Finishing off the round still on top, the judges awarded Sezinando with the clear unanimous decision, officially wrapping up the quarterfinals.