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The Ultimate Fighter Season 32 - Episode 5 Recap
July 3, 2024
We start off this week’s episode with the fighters from last week’s episode talking about their fight. Omran Chabaan, last week’s winner, tells Sham Magomedov, the loser, that he knew what would happen all along and had the perfect gameplan. Sham seemed OK with that. Dana says that Sham is taking the loss well and explains that he thinks Sham has a chance to still have a good career.
We then shift to this week’s fighters, starting with Zygimantas Ramaska from Lithuania and representing Team Valentina. Almost right away, we see him worrying about his weight, as he is 9 pounds heavy with only a few days left before the weigh in. After that, we learn that he is a strong striker and has a plan to use his distance in his fight against Bekhzod Usmonov.
Bekhzod Usmonov was raised in Tajikistan and Russia and is on Team Alexa. He moved to Thailand when he turned 19 to focus on Muay Thai training. He now lives in New Mexico and trains at Jackson Wink Academy. Jackson Wink used to be the premier gym, but you don’t hear about it as much nowadays. We learn that Bekhzod also works at Starbucks as a supervisor and wants to inspire others through his fighting.
Bekhzod is close to being on weight. Robert Valentin gives him some advice and it seems to go over well. Bekhzod says that he plans to use his movement and power in his fight against Zygimantas. We see that he has some bare knuckle experience. Tough!
We briefly switch back to Zygimantas and learn that he is in the military and has been training in fighting since the age of 9. He plans on using his discipline to win the fight. He feels that he has been working hard and deserves success.
In a pretty rare occurrence, especially on The Ultimate Fighter, both fighters come in over at the weigh in. Normally, they would have an hour to cut the weight, but since it’s the same weight, the coaches ask the commission to let them fight at the weight that they weighed in at. Since both fighters came in at the same weight, the commission agrees.
The Tale of the tape shows Zygimantas has a height and reach advantage. Will it help with his plan to use his distance and striking? Let’s get to the fight and find out…
In the first round, both men are throwing vicious strikes. You can really hear the connections with no audience and the show's microphones. Zygimantas is trying to establish distance, but Bekhzod keeps rushing in. At one point, Zygimantas trips up, but is able to get stood back up by the ref. Zygimantas’ strikes are HARD. Bekhzod hits a hard counter and drops Zygimantas. The fight seems like it’s about to get stopped, but Zygimantas is able to get back up. We get another crazy exchange of strikes. Dana is loving it. I’m loving it. Zygimantas has a great combination of strikes and Bekhzod is bloody. Zygimantas is chasing Bekhzod around and Bekhzod is eating everything. The fight somehow goes to a second round and Dana gives a standing ovation.
In between rounds, Alexa begs Bekhzod not to clinch, which is a good idea because Zygimantas’ knees are brutal.
In the second round, Zygimantas is still attacking the whole body. Some front kicks are thrown in. Bekhzod almost lands a spinning backfist. Zygimantas takes him down. They stand back up and Zygimantas clinches and throws some crazy knees. Zygimantas throws some jabs and an awesome combo with a head kick. Bekhzod rushes and is met with strikes. Bekhzod starts ducking the jabs and EATS a kick straight to the face. Zygimantas is attacking everything. Zygimantas gets a takedown. Dana says it might go to a third round, but I’m not so sure. Bekhzod did get the knockdown in the first, but Zygimantas did a lot in that round, too.
It goes to the judges and Zygimantas wins. Dana comes in before the decision and shakes both fighters’ hands - something he never does.
This was a great fucking fight. Dana loved it. This is how you get a contract - Ultimate Fighter win or not. This was probably one of the best fights on the show, especially in the more recent season.
Zygimantas says he’s happy but only showed a little more than half of his skills. 100% skill showing must be terrifying. Bekhzod might have lost the fight, but I think he won in the long run. He might get another look in the UFC.
Next week, we will get Ryan Loder from Team Valentina vs. Tommy Theocharis from Team Alexa. Dana White hypes it up as a wrestler vs. striker and United States vs. Canada.
Thank you for reading this recap of Episode 5. I will see you next week to recap Episode 6. See you then!
