The Ultimate Fighter: Team Cormier vs Team Sonnen S33E09
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Date & Time:
Aired on: Tuesday, July 23, 2025
Time: 10:00 PM ET
Platform: ESPN+ / UFC Fight Pass
Location:
Filmed at the UFC Apex, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.
Match Card (Episode 9):
This episode featured one of the most anticipated quarterfinal bouts in the lightweight division:
Lightweight Quarterfinal Bout:
Mike “The Machine” Johnson (Team Cormier) vs. Carlos “The Viper” Ortega (Team Sonnen)
Additional training and drama segments were also highlighted in the episode.
Episode Review:
Episode 9 of The Ultimate Fighter: Team Cormier vs. Team Sonnen brought the heat as the quarterfinals continued. The build-up to the Mike Johnson vs. Carlos Ortega fight was intense, with both fighters showcasing their striking skills and grappling improvements during team training sessions. Coach Cormier remained focused on drilling wrestling pressure, while Coach Sonnen emphasized counter-striking and mental toughness.
The episode opened with behind-the-scenes footage of the fighters’ personal lives and growing team rivalries. Sonnen’s mind games took center stage once again, attempting to shake Johnson’s confidence before the match.
Fight Review:
The bout itself was fast-paced and tactical. Johnson pushed forward with wrestling and cage control in Round 1, but Ortega showed resilience and effective counterpunching. Round 2 saw Ortega land a solid right hook that staggered Johnson, followed by a rear-naked choke attempt that nearly ended the fight. However, Johnson escaped and controlled the final moments with ground-and-pound.
The fight went to the judges’ decision, with Mike Johnson winning via unanimous decision and securing his spot in the semifinals.
Location Insight:
Filmed at the UFC Apex Facility in Las Vegas, this controlled environment offered the perfect setup for intense matchups and world-class coaching. The no-crowd atmosphere added to the pressure and authenticity of each moment.
Conclusion:
Episode 9 of TUF Season 33 delivered strong storytelling, technical progression, and a solid quarterfinal bout. With Johnson’s win, Team Cormier continues to gain momentum heading into the semifinals. The episode sets the tone for more fireworks as the tournament heats up.
Stay tuned for next week’s episode, where the final quarterfinal match is expected to take place and semifinal matchups will be revealed.
