TUF 15 Episode 5 Recap: Chiesa vs. Larsen

The trend continues this week as we get a rundown of last week’s fight to start off the festivities. As usual Dana is giving his insight He talks about how Myles gets the better of the first round with good knees, kicks, and use of range. When he describes the second round he claims Al Iaquinta won it hands down, and I can’t agree to that. Both guys landed good shots. Iaquinta kept up the pressure, but Jury countered well. I thought the late takedown sealed the round for Jury, but the judges didn’t agree and we got a nice sudden victory stanza. Iaquinta was the fresher, more experienced fighter when it came to long matches and he took the “W”. We get to see Jeremy Larsen from Team Cruz take on Michael Chiesa this week from Team Faber.

When we head into the locker rooms after the fight one of the first things we see is the descrepancy in the teams moods. The Blue team (Faber) is now flying high, while Team Red is consoling their fallen comrade. Urijah is visibly relieved to finally get on the board, and believes Larsen is the perfect match for Larsen. Dominick is also offering encouragement to Larsen and that’s when Sam Sicilia gets brought into the picture. Sam and Michael Chiesa are not only training partners, but also very good friends from back home. Using this Cruz thinks it’s a good idea to pick his brain about Mike’s tendencies. Sam being the good friend doesn’t offer much up though, and lets Chiesa know what went on (which leaves the big beard none too pleased). As everything comes full circle Cruz makes sure to let Sicilia know that he’s not here to break up any friendships, but he is here to make his team (and Sam himself) the best and win the show. Sam seems to respect where he’s coming from after they speak.

Chris Tickle makes another weekly appearance with some toe trouble “that could be Gout”. Cruz is apparently laying into him for being to slow, and he tells the camera he’ll just get through it. However, the doctor on the show informs Dominick that Tickle has seen him multiple times about the problem which seems to annoy Cruz as it’s no the only thing Chris has been complaining about. Dominick brings him in front of the doctor and pretty much tells him that he’s just going to have to gut through this stuff. Chris responds to this by saying he’s ready, and wants to be pushed. As he leaves it cuts to a shot of Chris in the interview room, and he says there’s no problem at all with Dominick, “but if he’s never had Gout he’s got no clue, I’m not here to complain. I’m just trying to get healed”.

Chiesa is the next spotlight as we get back to the coming up fight. He put school on hold a little while back to go after MMA full steam, and is confident. Urijah goes over his keys to the fight, and it’s exactly what you’d expect. Mike’s been wrestling since 11, so it’s all about controlling the cage, getting the fight to the ground, and finishing Jeremy. Seems pretty straight forward, and easy to follow. He also again speaks about making his dad proud, and you can’t really help but want to see the guy do well because of everything he’s going through.

Tickle gets a little more air time after the break, and it’s more of what we have come to expect out of him. Cruz is putting him and Jeremy though a tough sparring session, and when time is called Chris tries to leave to take a dump. Dominick doesn’t let him leave though, and the last round sees an obviously gassed Tickle taking punishment from Jeremy. After time is called Tickle leaves right away for the bathroom. Dominick commends him (kinda) for making it to the end. Tickle shows up again later on heading to the hospital to get his results on Gout. It is of course negative.

Jeremy Larsen (coincidentally Mike’s roommate in the house) is up next. He and Cruz were friends when they were kids as their mothers knew each other. MMA has apparently brought them back into each other’s good graces. When going over their own game plan, both Cruz and Larsen seem to think pushing Mike to the limits will be the best way to win. Jeremy spent a lot of his earlier life getting into street fights, so brawling is just fine by him. He is a stand up specialist that loves to bang, so he will be looking to stay on his feet.

Fight time:

This first round plays out how Urijah expected early. Mike get a few takedowns with one slam, and takes control on the ground for the most part. To his credit, Jeremy fights the whole time and fights out of everything Chiesa sends his way. As the last minute begins Chiesa (most likely out of frustration) hits Larsen with an illegal knee when Jeremy was grounded, and received a point deduction. Because of that deduction the round now most likely stands at 9-9.

The second 5 minutes is closer. Jeremy repeatedly shakes off Chiesa, and lands some good shots on the quickly tiring wrestler. However, Michael is persistent and keeps control for enough of the round to earn a 10-9. With a tied first round, that should be enough to get Chiesa into the quarters.

Micheal Chiesa defeats Jeremy Larsen by 2nd round Unanimous decision

Keeping control for the second consecutive week, Urijah sends out Joe Proctor to take on the star of season 15, Chris Tickle.