The Return Of The Ultimate Fighter | Episode 5 Recap

On the Team Volkanovski bus back to the house following the last fight announcement, Mitch Raposo voices his distaste for Brian Ortega and some of the members of his team, put off by the featherweight contender’s perceived attitude, as well as how middleweight Andrei Petroski has been carrying himself.

In a confessional interview, Ryder Newman dubs Team Volkanovski the “heroes” of this tournament and Team Ortega the “villains,” forecasting a clean sweep from here on out for Team Volk.

Raposo and Newman continue voicing their disappointment with the war of words as Team Ortega returns to the house. Later in the evening, Raposo tries explaining his perception of things to Petroski and other members of Team Ortega. Petroski pushes back, getting into it with Raposo and expanding on his position in a confessional interview.

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The bickering continues, with Petroski adding in his confessional interview that he doesn’t “have a personal problem with Mitch,” but that the Team Volkanovski bantamweight could refine his approach to voicing his opinions and frustrations.

At the UFC APEX four days before the fight, Bryan Battle goes through his fight prep. Volkanovski sings the praises of his middleweight fighter, calling him a good listener and willing student while acknowledging it’s a difficult matchup.

Bryan’s home video begins with his introduction at HR MMA 117, where the Maryland native secured a second-round round submission win over Ben Fowler, while he explains the origins of his nickname “Pooh Bear.”

Kemran’s fight prep with the coaches begins with combination work with Paul Herrera before Ortega tries to show him a few little things he can utilize rather than just going in there and banging it out with Bryan.

“My game plan is pretty simple, actually,” Kemran says. “I have an animal inside of me and he is caged up right now. I’m going to let that animal out of me and make sure that whatever is in the way of my goal is removed from my way. I’m going all the way.”

“Kemran has more experience, he is the tougher of the two,” offers Ortega. “Bryan, his opponent, is tall, lanky, nothing special to be honest with you; I don’t think he’s going to be too much of a threat for Kemran.”

Bryan explains in a confessional interview that in addition to training, he works as a carpenter, acknowledging that means there are a lot of long days logged in order to make this happen.

A home video shows Bryan working in the carpentry shop back home before shifting to Hayastan MMA in Matthews, North Carolina where he trains.

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“We’re more of an up-and-coming gym,” he says. “No massive pro teammates, but the teammates I have are amazing.”

Bryan discusses his transition into the sport, reiterating his professional record, and then the video cuts to footage of his family, as the Team Volkanovski member details the makeup of his “large immediate family,” including four nephews and three nieces, two older sisters and three younger sisters, several of whom have no interest in being on camera.

“Having five sisters — it’s a blessing and a curse, for sure,” he says. “If I got mad, I couldn’t do anything about it, and my sisters knew it too. It would have been cool to have a brother, but that’s alright.”

Bryan then introduces his wife, Caitlin, a karate black belt who is currently pregnant with the couple’s first child.

“She gives me another reason to fight,” he begins to a chorus of “aahs” from his family. “I work harder than I have ever worked before because I’m not just working for myself anymore. I gotta take my wife on a hot date, you know what I mean?”

It’s time for the weigh-ins.

Bryan Battle vs. Kemran Lachinov

Marc Goddard is the third man in the cage.

Round 1: Quick touch of gloves and we’re underway.

Kemran takes the center and Bryan is happy to remain on the outside, looking to work from range, initially attacking with kicks and long jabs. Kemran tries to close the distance, but Bryan hits him with a right hook as he circles into space. Kemran comes forward, throwing an overhand right that is blocked, but he’s doing a better job cutting Bryan off.

Bryan goes back to the front kicks to the body and Kemran keeps trying to walk him down, throwing singles once he gets close enough as Bryan looks to move and fire, constantly circling away from danger. Kemran gets inside and looks for a takedown, but Bryan stuffs it and lands knees in the clinch along the fence before breaking free.

Halfway through and Bryan is doing a good job sticking to the game plan, working from range and avoiding close combat. Kemran grabs for a single, but Bryan balances well and escapes, burying knees to the midsection as the two clinch along the fence, reversing to front position.

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They break off the fence and Kemran walks forward looking enraged, hands by his side as Bryan throws punches backing up before hitting him with a high kick that Kemran walks through, grabbing onto a single leg once he’s in close. Bryan stuffs it again, scores on the exit, and appears to be frustrating Kemran, who is looking for a brawl and not getting it.

Kemran changes levels again, but Bryan again remains upright, using the fence to balance, digging an underhook, and reversing off the fence, prompting Kemran to dive for a leg lock late in the frame, eating shots as he cannot complete the hold while the horn sounds.

The Team Volkanovski coaches are pumped with Bryan’s efforts in Round 1, encouraging him to do more of the same in the second, while Team Ortega asks Kemran to work the body.

Round 2: Kemran again takes the center and Bryan returns to throwing rangy kicks to different levels, snapping Kemran’s head back with jabs. Kemran can’t hem Bryan in along the fence and the Team Volkanovski fighter continues to flick out volume, picking with shots as he moves on the outside.

Kemran lunges in, Bryan steps off and lands a clean right hand to the jaw, which draws a smile from Kemran, who again walks forward with his hands at his side. Kemran fires a big overhand right than glances and changes levels, but Bryan stuffs it again, attacking with more knees in tight.

Kemran throws himself off balance winging a right hand, and Bryan chases him to the canvas, landing in half guard. Kemran gets to his knees and then his feet, eating a left hand for his troubles, but continues marching forward like a Terminator hunting down John Connor. Kemran finally pulls Bryan’s hips out for a takedown, but Bryan is up right away, connecting with a knee to the nether region, bringing the fight to a momentary pause.

Kemran is quickly ready to go, Goddard warns Bryan to watch his weapons, and we’re back at it, with just over two minutes remaining in the round.

Bryan continues to dance on the outside, attacking with long strikes, interrupting Kemran’s rhythm. Another takedown attempt is stuffed and Bryan again scores in the clinch, hitting a knee to the head and a punch behind it, but Kemran is undeterred, immediately changing levels in search of another takedown.

Bryan knees him in the head twice, circles to front position on the fence, and Kemran dives at a leg lock attempt with no success. Bryan looks to engage on the ground, but Kemran gets back to his feet quickly and rushes forward launching looping hooks. A couple glancing blows land and back Bryan up, but Kemran then ducks in for a takedown, much to the consternation of assistant coach Paul Herrera, who shouts “No takedowns!” as Bryan again stays upright and the horn sounds.

Official Result: Bryan Battle def. Kemran Lachinov by unanimous decision