Team Sonnen managed to get themselves back on the map in the latest Ultimate Fighter (TUF) episode with a spectacular knockout.
Team Sonnen Looked For Rebound After Four Straight Defeats on TUF 33
Despite winning the first match of the latest TUF season with a sensational first round submission, Team Sonnen had found themselves in dire straits for the past month, losing their next four fights in a row. In an effort to stem the warpath of Team Cormier, Sonnen and staff matched up their last welterweight, Matt Dixon, against Cormier’s Alex Sanchez.
TUF: A Look at Dixon
Known for his heavy hands and boxing proficiency, Dixon had garnered a well-earned reputation on the American regional circuit for his slew of highlight-reel knockouts. Across his 11 professional victories, seven have come by way of strikes. Making an appearance on Dana White’s Contender Series back in 2020, the undefeated Dixon faced off with Orion Cosce, who finished him in the third round. Taking a three year hiatus, “Magic” returned to action in 2023 and had since then won two straight heading into TUF.
TUF: Sizing Up Sanchez and a Look at Guests
Over the past five years, Sanchez had accumulated an amazing seven-fight win streak. Originally competing at 170-lb, the Mexican had dropped down to the lightweight class, scoring two championships in the division, including the A1 Combat 155-lb championship. In his first match of the TUF 33 competition, “Hulk” would be going back up to his old stomping ground of welterweight, where he has not fought since 2020.
For this week’s guests, Team Cormier invited former TUF standouts Rose Namajunas and Raquel Pennington. Rising to prominence in the UFC off the backs of their tenures on seasons 18 and 20 of the series, both women have gone on to become some of women’s MMA most well figures, having won promotional gold in the female flyweight and bantamweight categories.
Final TUF 33 Welterweight Scrap Turns Into boxing masterclass
Putting on the gas right away, Dixon came out aggressive against Sanchez, launching a furious barrage of kicks and punches with fight-ending intentions. Utilizing his four-inch reach advantage, the American threw one long-ranged hit after another, keeping the Mexican on the backfoot for the majority of the contest. Although Sanchez did manage to deliver a few meaningful blows here and there, “Magic” never appeared fazed by the damage of his opponent’s strikes. Continuing to back up, despite his coach’s pleas to not retreat, Sanchez was finally dropped by a long left hook from Dixon, who ended the encounter with further ground-and-pound.
Notching their first win in quite some time, Team Sonnen celebrated their triumph and Dixon’s impressive knockout. The same couldn’t have been said about the losing side, with head coach Cormier positively livid at Sanchez’s refusal to go forward and constantly moving away from his adversary.
