TUF 30 Episode 1: Recap and Fight Results
The premier 30th season of the Ultimate Fighter premiered last night and by the looks of it, it should be quite an exciting season.
To recap, the TUF 30 season features bantamweight champion Julianna Pena and featherweight champion Amanda Nunes as the coaches. In yesterday’s episode, each chose their team members, which consists of four women flyweights and four men’s heavyweight contenders.
On team Pena:
Heavyweights: Mohammed Usman (7-2), Zac Pauga (5-0), Jordan Heiderman (5-0), Bobby Maximus (5-4)
Flyweights: Helen Peralta (4-2), Juliana Miller (2-1), Chantel Coates (2-1), Hannah Guy (4-1)
On team Nunes:
Heavyweights: Mitchell Sipe (5-2), Chandler Cole (8-3), Nyle Bartling (6-0), Eduardo Perez (4-1)
Flyweights: Claire Guthrie (3-1), Kaytlin Neil (5-4), Kathryn Paprocki (3-2), Brogan Walker (7-2)
The show opened with the fighters saying goodbye to their loved ones before heading to the fighter house. We saw Juliana Miller speak to her grandma as well as Nyle Bartling, and Kathryn Paprocki speaking to their loved ones. We were also introduced to Bobby Maximus, who competed in the second season of TUF, and Mohammed Usman, the brother of UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman.
Following the first training session, the first fight was announced. Pena got the first pick, and she choose to put Zac Pauga up against Nyle Bartling.
First highlighted is Pauga. He explains how he was a criminal investigator just five months before entering the competition. We see his life at home and his training with Elevation Fight Team in Denver, Colorado.
Bartling is highlighted next. The show shows him in his hometown in Nebraska, his family farm, and his local gym. The state-champion wrestler explains a hunting accident that pushed him to fully immerse himself in the world of MMA and what ultimately led him to join the competition.
On fight day the two walked into the octagon with full confidence and the bout begins.
The two battle it out in an extremely active first round and a slower, but equally exciting second round.
Following the second round, the bout was called and the winner’s hand was raised.
Result: Pauga defeats Bartling via unanimous decision.
#TUF30 official results: Zac Pauga (@ZacPauga) defeated Nyle Bartling via unanimous decision giving team Pena the first win of the season ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/YNBo9EkAFi
— Amy Kaplan (@PhotoAmy33) May 3, 2022
Following the bout, the first women’s flyweight pick is made for the upcoming episode. Pena picks again, and she chooses to place Helen Peralta up against Nune’s Kaytlin Neil.
Next week’s episode will be broadcasted on ESPN+ on Tuesday, May 10th. Make sure to check back here at MyMMANews for the recap and fight results.
