5 things we learned from episode 5 of TUF 29: Team Volkanovski vs Team Ortega

#2 Team Volkanovski is finally on the board

Bryan Battle vs Kemran Lachinov [Photo credit: @killa_kem_ on Instagram]

TUF 29 contestant Bryan Battle may not be as experienced as Kemran Lachinov but he used his size and range advantages to outpoint his opponent. Bothered by his opponent's length, Lachinov took a curious approach as he threw caution out the window and marched relentlessly towards his opponent like an undead ghoul.

Once he closed the distance, however, Lachinov wasn't able to utilize his supposed advantage in grappling against Battle, who handily fended off his takedown attempts.

If you've never seen @killa_kem_ fight, this sneak peak from tonight's #ReturnOfTUF should give you an idea 😳Stream the episode starting at 9 PM ET on @ESPNPlus pic.twitter.com/l0LXVGExRv

— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) June 29, 2021

In round two, Battle grew more comfortable as he started piecing up his opponent with a diet of kicks and jabs. Lachinov continued to move forward and try to initiate a clinch, but Battle proved too big to be taken down.

The Team Ortega bet successfully brought Battle to the ground for a brief moment, but nothing came of it as his opponent quickly recovered. From there, the fighter from Team Volkanovksi never relinquished the lead and earned a unanimous decision victory.

#1 Who's fighting next week on TUF 29?

Next week on TUF 29, the fight will shift back to the bantamweight division. The match-making decision shifted back to TUF 29 coach Brian Ortega, who will attempt to widen his lead over Alexander Volkanovski.

With Battle snapping Team Volkanovski's losing streak, it will be up to Rickey Turcios to keep their success going against Team Ortega's Dan Argueta. Both men seem to be looking forward to meeting each other:

“I was glad they called me up next,” said Turcios. “Now I have an opponent in front of me. This is what I came here to do. I came here to fight. I came here to win.”

In regards to the fight, Dan Argueta said:

“When I got my input on who I’d like to fight, I wanted to pick someone that’s gonna up my career, up my experience and that’s Rickey, man."

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Check out our recap for Episode 1, Episode 2, Episode 3, and Episode 4 of TUF 29: Team Volkanovski vs. Team Ortega.