5 things we learned from episode 7 of TUF 29: Team Volkanovski vs Team Ortega

Episode seven of the returning reality show The Ultimate Fighter season 29 (TUF 29): Team Volkanovski vs. Team Ortega, dropped on ESPN+ Tuesday night.

TUF 29 has gone from a one-sided showcase into a legitimate contest after Bryan Battle and Ricky Turcios picked up back-to-back wins for coach Alexander Volkanovski's team. However, Brian Ortega is still in the driver's seat, leading 4-2, with Andre Petroski, Liudvik Sholinian, Tresean Gore and Vincent Murdock all winning their first-round bouts.

In this week's episode, Brady Hiestand of Team Volkanovski will try to close the gap even further as he takes on Team Ortega's Josh Rettinghouse. With only a couple of preliminary round fights left, every victory counts for both squads.

Was Team Volkanovski able to keep up their winning ways? Or did Team Ortega kill their momentum? Find out as we discuss five things we learned from episode seven of TUF 29: Team Volkanovski vs. Team Ortega.

Warning: This article contains spoilers for TUF 29 episode 7.

#5. It's all good in the hood at TUF 29

The show opened with Ricky Turcios and Dan Argueta bonding over some pizza after duking it out on last week's episode. The pair of competitors seem to have grown closer after going to battle with each other.

Turcios emerged victorious after three hard-fought rounds to snag Team Volkanovski's second win. His constant pressure and grappling success in the final round is what earned him the victory against a formidable opponent in Argueta, who also gave his maximum effort despite falling short.

Argueta, however, appears to be a good sport. “You wanna go Ninja Turtles with me real quick?” Argueta asked as he invited his rival to eat a slice of pizza with him. During the confessionals, the bantamweights only had good things to say about each other.

As Argueta and Turcios hung out, the focus shifted to close friends Brady Hiestand and Josh Rettinghouse. It was the calm before the storm as they spent time talking about their past training sessions in the hot tub. Later in the episode, they will engage in a brutal war.

#4. Friendships get tested at TUF 29

TUF 29 contestants Brady Hiestand and Josh Rettinghouse both admitted that they wouldn't want to fight each other if they didn't have to. Coaches Alexander Volkanovski and Brian Ortega, on the other hand, are in agreement that the fight needs to happen, especially because of their relationship.

"So, I'm matched up with Josh for my first fight in the house and I'm okay with it," Hiestand said. "I'm not afraid of the matchup or anything like that but it is what it is."

Meanwhile, Rettinghouse was more upfront about his hesitation to go head-to-head with his close friend. However, the Team Ortega member understands that he's in TUF 29 to take care of business:

"Honestly, if I had to fight anyone, he'd be the last person I'd choose," Rettinghouse admitted. "But at the end of the day, he's gonna be a body inside the cage and he's gonna be trying to knock my head off and I just have to go there and knock his head off."

UFC president Dana White had some wise words to say before the two men collided in a TUF 29 showdown:

"In able to make it to the top of the sport, at one point or another, fighters end up having to face teammates or their friends. It's just inevitable. This is one of those times in this competition when it gets really hard. They're friends. They're roommates in the house. This is a true test of who has that killer instinct. Who wants it more? Who really wants to win this thing and be a world champion? Who can flip that switch and go into this fight and win?"

#3. TUF 29 fighter bio: Brady Hiestand (Team Volkanovski) vs. Josh Rettinghouse (Team Ortega)

TUF 29: Brady Hiestand vs. Josh Rettinghouse [ Photo credit: @bambam__hiestand on Instagram]

Born and raised in Spokane, Washington, Brady Hiestand is a volunteer firefighter. He trains at Sik-Jitsu with TUF season 15 winner and top UFC welterweight contender Michael Chiesa. 'Maverick' has vouched for his teammate and even predicted that Hiestand will emerge as this season's winner.

It's me and @jretty next week!!! Raising Spokane, Washington. 🙌 We'll give you a good fight. 🤜🤛 #TUF29 #TheUltimateFighter #ESPN #UFC #mma #mmafighter #bantamweight #martialarts #fighter#mixedmartialarts #brazilianjiujitsu #nextweek #watchout #getready pic.twitter.com/3ImWBPYz1y

— Brady Hiestand (@bradyHiestand1) July 7, 2021

Josh Rettinghouse is also a Spokane, Washington resident. He claims to be very familiar with Hiestand's game as they have spent some time training together in the past. As he pursues a career in professional MMA, Rettinghouse also works as a certified public accountant. He trains at Warrior Camp MMA and has been wrestling since his high school days.

#2. Who won this week's TUF 29 episode?

On this week's TUF 29, the Washington natives appear to be evenly matched due to their understanding of each other's game. Hiestand and Rettinghouse went the distance in a highly competitive back-and-forth scrap that required a sudden death round to determine the victor.

In the opening round of this TUF 29 matchup, Hiestand wasted no time and went for a takedown attempt. With his back against the fence, Rettinghouse threatened a kimura, but Hiestand was eventually able to complete the takedown. Moments later, Hiestand secured a rear-naked choke that looked deep but Rettinghouse would not tap out.

The start of round two was deja vu for Rettinghouse as his opponent went for another takedown attempt. But this time around, Rettinghouse successfully broke away from his opponent's grasp.

Adamant to take on the role of the aggressor, Hiestand continued to move forward and pressure his opponent. But Rettinghouse found a home for his counter punch and followed it up with a knee to the head that evidently did some serious damage. Rettinghouse started to find his range as he got the better of the striking exchanges.

Rettinghouse completed a takedown in the third, but was unable to do significant damage once the fight shifted to the ground. Hiestand was able to get back up and return the favor with a takedown of his own. The former teammates engaged in an exhausting scramble for position in the clinch as the final seconds ticked away.

#TUF29 OFFICIAL RESULTS: Brady Hiestand (@bradyHiestand1) defeated Josh Rettinghouse via split decision pic.twitter.com/9T9C6UShgV

— Amy Kaplan (@PhotoAmy33) July 14, 2021

In the end, Hiestand squeaked by with a narrow split decision victory to give Team Volkanovski its third consecutive win.

#1. TUF 29 is proof that Alexander Volkanovski is a class act

Unlike Brian Ortega, who enjoyed bragging after wins, Alexander Volkanovski proved to be classy in victory and defeat. The UFC featherweight champion was ecstatic after snagging his third win in TUF 29, but he didn't come off as disrespectful.

Volkanovski also made the selection for the next matchup in the TUF 29 middleweight division. He chose Gilbert Urbina from his squad to go up against Team Ortega’s Miles Hunsinger.

After the fight announcement, Volkanovski offered his rival coach a fist bump that Ortega reluctantly took. Despite seemingly getting fed up with his challenger's antics in previous TUF 29 episodes, Volkanovski has proven that he's a genuine sportsman through and through.