Episode 2 Recap | The Ultimate Fighter Season 33

Team Sonnen returns to the house, where Team Cormier is already posted up. Morales thanks Henrique for the fight, telling him he hits hard. 

In an interstitial, Morales explains that he’s happy with his performance, but that the job is far from done; one win isn’t enough. “I wanted to set the tone, I wanted to take out the No. 1 pick, give that energy to the guys going into the fights,” he says. “We’re here. Don’t underestimateus. We’re coming for ya!”

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TRAINING SESSION TEAM SONNEN

Sonnen gathers up his team, announcing they have a special guest joining them for the training session, introducing TJ Dillashaw, who reached the finals on Season 14 before becoming a two-time bantamweight champion.

Dillashaw talks about how his time on TUF was an escape from the trappings of life and a chance to learn from a great fighter in Michael Bisping. He puts the team through the paces of a striking session, having everyone move around with a partner, focusing on how to set traps.

Matt Dixon praises the opportunity to work with Dillashaw in an interstitial, calling the former champ “a genius” when it comes to MMA. 

Dillashaw admits that he couldn’t wait to “retire and live a normal life,” but says he misses the sport so much.

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TUF HOUSE

Donchenko sits outside the house with several teammates, talking about the impact of the war in Ukraine, explaining that several people he went to school with and trained with have already been killed in the conflict. He notes that his family is still there, trying to live a normal life, but that it’s difficult knowing that things could change instantly.

He says his coach lost his leg in a bombing, and explains in an interstitial that there is no reason for him to be nervous about competing given the extremely dangerous situation that several of his friends are in now, serving as soldiers.

Sonnen asks Martins what his plan is for the fight.

“Use the jabs and low kick,” responds the Brazilian, who calls grappling his “Plan B,” something he’ll use if Donchenko’s striking is too good.

Sonnen explains why he asked Martins about standing with Donchenko this fight, relaying that his charge said, “Because I am better; he’s gonna feel my power.”

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Martins says in an interstitial that he believes the path to victory will be to neutralize Donchenko’s kicks as he is shown going through some mitt work before his highlight reel begins. He explains that he’s 9-1 overall with seven knockouts and one submission as the highlights from his LFA 166 knockout win over Joao Paulo Silva plays, followed by his finish of Augusto Matias at LFA 179 last March.

We’re back in the gym with Martins continuing to train and prep for his fight, explaining how he’s going to approach the fight.

Sonnen says he feels Martins’ size will be an advantage to his athlete, suggesting that being a little smaller means he’ll be a little quicker, which will hopefully result in a stoppage.

TUF HOUSE

Athletes from both teams look at the picture of the first cast, trying to name the competitors, with Tumelo Manyamala noting how surreal it feels to be in the house, surrounded by pictures of UFC luminaries, which increases his excitement.

Donchenko points to Forrest Griffin, saying, “I don’t know who this is, but I don’t want to sleep with him in the same room,” leading everyone to tell him that it’s Griffin and laugh. Admittedly, he does look very different in the TUF 1 cast picture than he does today. Donchenko says in an interstitial that because they don’t have phones or television, all he can do is look at the picture, and that “one day, my picture will be on this wall.”

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Martins sits quietly in his room looking at pictures of his wife, acknowledging that he misses her a great deal. He explains that she wasn’t doing well the last time they spoke, crying a great deal, which he calls the hardest part. 

His home video runs with his wife Pamela, kissing one their pet parrots, of which they have 10. He says she’s the one that gives him strength, then shows off the room with all their birds before showing the aikido gym he uses as a training facility. He says he’s been focusing on training exclusively for four years, and that he believes he’s ready to win a UFC contract.

DANIIL DONCHENKO FIGHT PREP

Cormier moves around with his athlete, and calls the bout a tough match in an interstitial, acknowledging that Martins is a very good fighter, with big power. He believes Donchenkoneeds to be first and be creative, encouraging him to flow with his strikes. 

He’s shown working on his striking with coach Tiago Beowulf, and his ability to shift stances and string together unique combinations is evident. Donchenko calls Martins a nice guy, butadds that he’s not going to allow him to have time to realize what is happening in the cage because he’s going to finish him quickly.

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The Ukrainian’s highlight reel begins, with the 23-year-old explaining that he’s 11-2 as a professional, and the Naiza FC lightweight champion. He’s confident in his abilities and the prep Cormier has put him through heading into this fight with Martins. 

WELTERWEIGHT WEIGH-INS

Both teams file into the UFC APEX for weigh-ins.

Daniil Donchenko vs. Richard Martins

Daniil Donchenko is the first welterweight into the semifinals after registering a clear two-round win over Richard Martins.

The young Ukrainian fighter hurt Martins in the early going, putting him on the ropes to the point that referee Herb Dean nearly stepped in to stop the action. Martins survived, but Donchenko continued to get the better of the exchanges throughout the first, continuing to batter Martins throughout the second. Martins clearly landed some quality shots of his own, as Donchenko was busted up over his left eye by the end of the fight, but it wasn’t enough.

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White was thoroughly impressed with the effort from Donchenko, saying he hit Martins with everything you could without felling the Brazilian. After two rounds, the judges have a decision, and Donchenko is through.

Official Result: Daniil Donchenko def. Richard Martins by unanimous decision