The Ultimate Fighter 22, Episode 2 Notes: Different Coaching Styles, Second Chances and a Twist

During the second episode of The Ultimate Fighter 22: Team McGregor vs. Team Faber, UFC president Dana White revealed that two fighters who were defeated in the elimination round would be brought back.  Differing coaching styles emerged and a new twist was introduced to the reality series.

Team McGregor’s coach, interim featherweight champion Conor McGregor called a team meeting immediately following the elimination round.  The Irishman had a speech prepared.

“Everyone is here for their own benefit. Forget Team Europe and forget Team USA. There are no friends in this business. You are either here to win, or you are simply a filler,” he said.

“I advise you all to find comfort amongst each other in this situation because this is about making it to these fights fresh, and that is it. Your hard training should already be done. You should already have your sparring and rounds done,” continued McGregor. “We’re all on our own journey, as am I. This is it. You come in here and handle your own business. You don’t need nobody to hold your hand.”

“Don’t expect me to step on the mat and show you how to throw a jab because that’s not what I’m here for. I’m here to give you a platform,” he added. “I just let them know that this is business here. Come in and handle your business.”

Urijah Faber, coach of Team Faber, had a different approach.  He plans on improving his fighters during their time on the show.

“From what I’ve seen with Conor, I’m not sure how well he is with dealing with people. I feel like I’m a people person. I understand what makes folks tic, and I care about people as equals. I’m going to treat these guys like the individuals that they are. They’re important people. And I think that is going to be a big advantage for me,” said the “California Kid.”

Two Fighters Get a Second Chance

“The fights to get in the house were awesome. I loved the fights to get into the house, and I felt like some of the decisions were questionable. I hate when I see good fighters possibly left behind. I wanted to give the coaches the opportunity; if you could bring back one fighter, who would you bring back,” explained White.

McGregor brought back his teammate Artem Lobov while Faber brought back wrestling standout Johnny Nunes.

The Twist

Instead of 16 fighters competing to win a UFC contract, there are now 18. It changes the way the tournament has to be bracketed, but White explained that he will eliminate one fighter from advancing based on poor performance.

“There will be nine fights now. There are usually eight fights to make it to the quarterfinals. Now there’s going to be nine. You will be judged based on your performance. I will pick one guy to not go to the quarterfinals. One guy I will pick, based on performance will not go to the quarterfinals.  It’s not just about winning, it’s about performing,” said White.

“This show wasn’t created for a guy to hold onto another fighter’s leg for three rounds and win to get to the finals. That’s not what this is about. It’s about guys who (expletive) really want to lay it on the line, guys who want to fight and guys who want to be world champions,” he continued to explain.  “We’ve never done this before. Nine guys will win, but only eight guys will make it to the quarterfinals. This is all going to be based on performance. One guy that doesn’t perform will be left out.”

The Fight: Ryan Hall vs. Frantz Slioa

Coach Faber won the coin toss last week, giving his team matchmaking control. He strategically picked Ryan Hall to face Team McGregor’s Frantz Slioa.

Slioa tried to use his kicks to keep Hall on the outside, but that only worked for about a minute. Hall, known for his leg lock submissions, dove in for a takedown and got it. He quickly isolated a leg and forced the Swede to tap out to a heel hook.

Fight Announcement

With the win, Team Faber kept matchmaking control and chose Chris Gruetzemacher to take on Germany’s Sascha Sharma.