The Ultimate Fighter 25: Redemption – Episode 2 Recap

The Ultimate Fighter 25: Redemption returned this evening with the second episode of the season.

The episode opens with TJ and Cody arguing about Duane Ludwig and TJ’s departure from Team Alpha Male following the next match up announcement. Team Garbrandt coach Urijah Faber got involved in the back and forth with Dillashaw before TJ flipped his middle finger up to Cody and Urijah which started some more pushing and shoving.

When the scuffle stopped, Faber told TJ: “You and I were cool until you tried to make it my fault, I never kicked you off our team. I didn’t kick you off the team, you quit the fucking team, fuck you.”

Dillashaw defended his position by saying he was given an ultimatum by Urijah, which Faber strongly denied. The argument then continued without resolution.

Back in the dressing room Dillashaw told his team that “It’s all insecurity. They know I’m the better fighter.”

This episode’s match up is between TUF 19 winner Eddie Gordon of Team Garbrandt and TUF 22’s Tom Gallicchio from Team Dillashaw.

Having previously coached Tom on Season 22, Faber gave Eddie Gordon some extra attention and tips on how to fight Gallicchio during his fight preparation.

Dillashaw praised Tom’s grappling and rear naked chokes during their fight preparation and the team decided on a game plan to tire out Gordon, drag the fight to the mat and work submissions from there.

On fight day, Dillashaw visited the fighter house and put Tom through a pad session in the garden to work off some of the pre-fight nervous energy.

Eddie Gordon (8-4) vs Tom Gallicchio (19-9)

The fight began with both fighters exchanging some early punches on the feet before Gordon started to gain the advantage when finding a home for his right hand on several occasions. Gallicchio seemed to feel the power of Gordon and attempted a couple of take down attempt which Gordon shrugged off with ease.

Half way through the round, Tom landed a takedown and passed into Eddie’s half guard before taking Gordon’s back as he stood up. Tom started to fish for the rear naked choke and eventually sunk it in while Eddie was using his hands to try and remove one of Gallicchio’s hooks instead of fighting hands.

After the fight the argument about Dillashaw leaving Team Alpha Male began once again between Cody and TJ before Dillashaw had enough and announced the next match up selection.

Team Dillashaw selected their number two pick Jesse Taylor to take on Mehdi Baghdad on next week’s episode.

Catch The Ultimate Fighter: REDEMPTION at 3am BST on Thursday mornings on BT Sport. Repeated at 10pm BST later than same day.