The Ultimate Fighter – Cormier vs. Sonnen 11th June 2025
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The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 33 continues its thrilling journey with Episode 3, airing on June 11, 2025. This season, dubbed “Team Cormier vs. Team Sonnen,” marks the 20th anniversary of the series and features two legendary UFC Hall of Famers, Daniel Cormier and Chael Sonnen, as coaches.
Event Details:
- Date: June 11, 2025
- Time: 10:00 PM ET / 7:00 PM PT
- Platform: ESPN2 & ESPN+
- Location: UFC APEX, Las Vegas, Nevada
Episode 3 Matchup: Imanol Rodriguez vs. Arshiyan Memon:
In this episode, the second flyweight quarterfinal features undefeated fighters:
Imanol Rodriguez (Team Cormier): A 25-year-old from Mexico with a 5-0 record, known for his aggressive striking and finishing ability.
Arshiyan Memon (Team Sonnen): A 29-year-old from India with a 7-0 record, making history as the first Indian fighter in TUF history.
The bout delivered high-paced action, with Rodriguez securing a first-round TKO victory. Despite an early low blow, Rodriguez capitalized on Memon’s defensive lapse, landing a series of unanswered strikes that led to the referee stopping the fight. UFC President Dana White praised the bout, stating, “Damn, that was a badass fight” .
Coaching Highlights:
This episode featured guest coach Carla Esparza, the inaugural UFC women’s strawweight champion and TUF 20 winner. Esparza provided valuable wrestling insights to Team Sonnen, enhancing their grappling techniques.
Additionally, Chael Sonnen’s assistant coach, Colby Covington, added to the drama by engaging with Team Sonnen’s Diego Bianchini, offering advice on the business side of MMA and stirring up some house dynamics.
Looking Ahead:
With Rodriguez’s victory, Team Cormier leads 2-1. The next episode will showcase the welterweight division, featuring Jeff Creighton from Team Cormier against Andreeas Binder from Team Sonnen.
Conclusion:
Episode 3 of TUF 33 delivered an exciting matchup, showcasing the raw talent and determination of the fighters. With dynamic coaching and emerging rivalries, the season continues to build momentum, promising more intense action in the upcoming episodes.
