5 things we learned from episode 8 of TUF 29: Team Volkanovski vs Team Ortega

The eighth episode of the popular reality contest, The Ultimate Fighter season 29 (TUF 29): Team Volkanovski vs. Team Ortega, aired on ESPN+ Tuesday night.

Alexander Volkanovski's squad came roaring back from a 4-0 deficit in last week's episode. Thanks to the efforts of bantamweight Brady Hiestand, what started as a one-sided stroll for Brian Ortega's team is now a competitive battle. It's now three in a row for Team Volkanovski as Bryan Battle and Ricky Turcios were victorious in their respective bouts.

But Team Ortega is still leading 4-3 after his boys secured four consecutive wins in earlier episodes. Andre Petroski, Liudvik Sholinian, Tresean Gore and Vincent Murdock took care of business in their fights to put their squad in a dominant position.

Team Volkanovski will try to even the score this week as the first round comes to an end. Find out which team will head into the semi-finals with momentum as we discuss five important things we learned from episode eight of TUF 29.

Warning: This article contains spoilers for TUF 29 episode 8.

5. TUF 29 fighter bio: Gilbert Urbina (Team Volkanovski)

It's unusual for TUF 29 episodes to open with a fighter bio. That was the case this week, though, and we will shortly learn why.

Gilbert Urbina is apparently TUF royalty as he's the third brother in his family to participate in the show. His older brother, Hector Urbina, competed in TUF season 19: Team Edgar vs. Team Penn and went on to fight thrice in the UFC. Meanwhile, Elias Urbina was a contestant on TUF 23: Team Joanna vs. Team Cláudia and Dana White's Contender Series.

@FlakoMMA, I just wanna say thanks for tying up my gloves before we beat each other up🤘 pic.twitter.com/BlzORvwYWJ

— GILBERT URBINA (@GUrbinaMMA) March 9, 2017

While his older brothers fell short on their TUF quests, Urbina vowed to use what he had learned from them to succeed this season.

"I've seen my brothers rise and I've seen my brothers fall. And it's taught me nothing but lessons," Gilbert said.

According to coach Volkanovski, Urbina is definitely deserving of a spot on the show in his own right. The UFC featherweight champ has nothing but good things to say about Urbina's work ethic.

4. Disaster strikes for Team Ortega

As the spotlight shifted to Team Ortega's Miles Hunsinger, we learned that he had hyper-extended his knee as he prepared for his fight. The middleweight hopeful was worried that he might have to be pulled out of the competition.

When Hunsinger went home to the TUF house, he tried his best to keep a straight face and hide the fact that he's injured. He didn't even tell his teammates at Team Ortega.

The diagnosis of his injury was a Grade 2 MCL sprain. Hunsinger was told that he could fight, but there's a very high risk of causing further significant damage. The doctor said it was ultimately up to Hunsinger whether or not he wanted to fight on. The Team Ortega member said:

"I worked my whole life to be in this situation. I saw The Ultimate Fighter as a kid and I wanted to compete on this show. Just praying that I could make the right decision, man."

Heartbroken, Hunsinger spoke with his Team Ortega coaches to ask for their inputs on how he should proceed. But in the end, he decided it would be best if he sits this fight out.

3. A replacement was chosen for Team Ortega

One man's tragedy was another man's opportunity. Michael Gilmore, who previously did not make the cut, was called back by Dana White to assess whether he'd be a worthy replacement.

"Luckily we have another middleweight, Michael Gilmore, who's still in Vegas and this guy is dying to get into the competition," White said.

It was a curious decision on the producers' part as, in previous TUF seasons, replacement spots were usually awarded to fighters who had lost. But Dana White appeared to admire Gilmore's decision to stay in Las Vegas and patiently wait for an opening.

What White didn't admire was Hunsinger's decision to prioritize his health over an opportunity. The UFC boss made sure everybody knew Hunsinger could have fought if he wanted to. White said:

"I always say, this is the toughest competition in combat sports. Only the strongest fighters will survive. If you have any doubts or aren't willing to do whatever it takes to stick it out and fight. Then we will find somebody who will."

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

Urbina was preparing to fight a wrestler in his first TUF 29 outing, but he'll have to face a striker in Gilmore. However, the newcomer has a more considerable disadvantage to overcome as he stepped in on two days' notice to go against a fighter preparing for a competitive matchup.

The action began with Urbina catching a low kick from Gillmore. The Team Volkanovski middleweight wasted no time as he scrambled to take his opponent's back. Just seconds into the fight, Urbina was looking for a finish as he dished out several rear-naked choke attempts.

Coach Ortega patiently instructed Gilmore on how to get himself out of the precarious situation. Meanwhile, Urbina continued to dish out punishment from a dominant position, peppering his opponent with ground strikes.

TUF 29: Corazones rotos y nuevas oportunidades https://t.co/kF1ChXWmho pic.twitter.com/SOrVsy7rdx

— Hernán Porras Molina (@HernanPorrasM) July 21, 2021

Gillmore continued to search for a way out, but Urbina maintained control of his back as he connected with more strikes. The battle for position went on in front of Team Ortega's corner. Gilmore tried to break Urbina's body triangle by hitting his opponent's shin with his elbow.

His coaches encouraged him to continue, but it would prove to be a costly mistake. Gilmore left his neck exposed as he focused on targeting Urbina's shin. Urbina capitalized on the opportunity and locked in a tight rear-naked choke for the win.

"Taking a fight on two days' notice is a lot to ask of any fighter. Michael did it and I was very impressed by that. But once they got in the octagon, Gilbert just overwhelmed him and finished him early," White said after witnessing the final first-round duel of TUF 29.

1. TUF 29 semi-finals announced

With Team Volkanovski and Team Ortega winning four fights apiece, no teammates will have to face each other in the semis. Moreover, both teams will have an equal shot at winning the season.

Dana White sat down with TUF 29 coaches Volkanovski and Ortega to talk about the matchups. Volkanovski said he's keeping an eye out for Bryan Battle, while Ortega believes Andre Petroski and Tresean Gore will face off in the finale.

TUF 29 bantamweight semi-finals

• Ricky Turcios vs. Liudvik Sholinian

• Brady Hiestand vs. Vincent Murdock

TUF 29 middlweight semi-finals:

• Bryan Battle vs. Andre Petroski

• Gilbert Urbina vs. Tresean Gore