The newest season of the Ultimate Fighter features a cast of eight lightweights and eight featherweights, all undefeated in their professional careers, fighting in two tournaments to determine a winner.

On Wednesday, May 9th, the fourth episode the showed air on FOX Sports 1 and featured Team Cormier’s Bryce Mitchell vs. Team Miocic’s Jay Cucciniello:

ROUND 1

Mitchell opens with a front kick to the body, as both fighters are gauging distance. Mitchell begins targeting Cucciniello with his kicks and then lands a hard knee to the head after they clinch up briefly during one exchange. Mitchell is doing a good job of controlling the pace with his kicks and a long jab. Cucciniello keeps switching stances but he can’t seem to land any shots and instead eats several punches from Mitchell while he’s firing away with a series of right hands. Mitchell eventually presses forward and gets a big double leg takedown against the cage wall before immediately transitioning to take the back. Mitchell can’t control his position and Cucciniello is able to wiggle free to reverse positions before getting back to the feet. Mitchell fires off two more head kicks with both connecting, although Cucciniello eats them well. Mitchell then rushes forward for another big takedown to plant Cucinniello on the mat. It looks like Mitchell might take the back again but Cuccuniello is able to scramble to get back to half guard on the ground. Mitchell is relentless with his top pressure as he’s constantly hammering away with punches and nearly takes the back again with less than 30 seconds to go in the round. Mitchell closes the round with more shots to the head and body until the horn sounds. ROUND 2

Mitchell wastes no time opening up the second round with another takedown before making the immediate move to take Cucciniello’s back yet again. Mitchell is looking to sink in the rear naked choke as he locks up the body triangle in an attempt to suck the wind out of Cucciniello. To his credit, Cucciniello is able to resist the submission attempt but he’s still got Mitchell attached to his back, punching away and attempting to find a home for another attempt at the choke. Mitchell is maintaining his control, punching away at Cucciniello’s ears and still trying to get the submission, but the Team Miocic fighter refuses to give it up. Mitchell finally drags Cucciniello back to the mat as he looks for the face crank but he can’t lock up the submission. Cucciniello is surviving but that’s about all he’s doing through the first four minutes of the second round. Mitchell thinks about an armbar for a moment but then decides to go back to the body triangle as he continues punish Cucciniello from the back. Mitchell finally goes for the armbar with about 30 seconds to go but Cucciniello slips free. Mitchell again gets Cucciniello to the ground, takes the back and that’s where the fighters stay until the final horn.

source: ufc.com

Official Result: Bryce Mitchell defeated Jay Cucciniello by Unanimous Decision (20-18, 20-17, 20-17)