TUF 20, Episode 11 fight recaps

The eleventh episode of the Ultimate Fighter aired tonight on Fox Sports and featured the last quarter final matches between Tecia Torres and Carla Esparza and Rose Namajunas taking on Joanne Calderwood.

NO. 1 CARLA ESPARZA VS. NO. 3 TECIA TORRES

Round 1 – Both fighters are tentative to open the round. Esparza tries for a single leg takedown, but Torres easily shakes it off. They exchange strikes and Esparza attempts another takedown, but it’s stuffed again. Torres uses a lot of movement and mixes in punches. Esparza tries to close the distance for another takedown and can’t get Torres down. Esparza sticks to the takedown attempts and is relentless until she finally drags Torres to the mat. She can’t keep her there long, though, as Torres fights to her feet. Esparza hangs on the back and has Torres trapped against the cage. Torres reverses the position, but Esparza hits a trip and briefly gains top position. Torres scrambles free to her feet and looks to strike. Esparza lands another takedown as Torres tries to close the distance and lands punches from the guard as the round comes to an end.

Round 2 – Torres presses forward and lands a hook. Esparza is thinking takedown and fails on her first attempt of the round. Torres controls the center of the octagon but doesn’t throw many strikes. Esparza pursues the takedown again. She can’t complete her first two attempts and nearly gets Torres on the third. Torres displays tremendous balance, as she stays upright on one leg before breaking free. Esparza dives for another takedown, but there’s no set up whatsoever. Torres begins to find her range and tags Esparza with a combination. Esparza responds with a huge double leg takedown that plants Torres on her back. Torres slowly works back to her feet, but Esparza is on her back. Esparza controls Torres against the cage and Torres eventually gains control. Esparza drops for a leg and completes one final takedown before the end of the round.

Carla Esparza def. Tecia Torres via majority decision

NO. 2 JOANNA CALDERWOOD VS. NO. 7 ROSE NAMAJUNAS

Round 1 – Namajunas opens with a front kick to the face. Calderwood presses forward and both fighters throw wildly. Namajunas jumps for a flying armbar from the clinch, but Calderwood escapes into the guard. Calderwood works her ground-and-pound from the top as Namajunas attempts a triangle choke. Namajunas gives up on the submissions and scrambles to her feet. Namajunas attempts another flying armbar, but Calderwood easily shakes it off. Namajunas presses Calderwood against the cage and lands punches and knees from the clinch. She completes a takedown, but Calderwood pops back to her feet. Calderwood lands a takedown of her own and moves on top. Namajunas dives for a leg lock, but Calderwood escapes into guard. Namajunas then goes for a kimura from her back and uses it to roll into top position. Namajunas keeps top position until the end of the round.

Round 2 – Calderwood pushes Namajunas to the ground with a front kick. Namajunas stands up and lands a lunging right hook. Calderwood connects with kicks to the body then presses Namajunas against the cage. She peppers Namajunas with knees and elbows from the clinch. Calderwood lands a hard elbow that causes Namajunas to jump forward with a takedown attempt. Calderwood stuffs the takedown, hits a switch and gains top control. Namajunas goes for the kimura from her back for a second time, but this one’s locked in and she forces Calderwood to tap out.

Rose Namajunas def. Joanna Calderwood via submission (kimura) – Round 2

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