TUF Times: Season 14, Episode 9 with The MMA Mom

The episode began with a van full of Team Mayhem stopping so Dustin Pague could deliver a bag full of goodies and a note of encouragement to “a brother on the street.”

“I pass him every day, Explained Dustin. “We don’t get to do much except train and pick on each other, so it was cool to something for someone a little less fortunate.”.

Teammate Johnny Bedford thought that people like Dustin were a credit to the sport.

“You always have the negative connotations that we’re barbarians and we’re just human cock fighting, but
really it’s a sport and there’s every walk of life in this sport,” said Bedford. “There are hooligans and there are bad people, but there are good people as well like Dustin Pague who try to help people any way that they can.”

Later on Mayhem Miller and some of the other coaches showed up to the house for a BBQ. With not much else to do, it wasn’t long before the outing morphed into a Joe Rogan, Fear Factoresque affair. First, Team Mayhem went on a bug hunt. Then, things got interesting. With a bet of $60.00 on the line, Dustin Pague was cheered on as he ate the bugs they had collected.

“I’m actually afraid of spiders and crawly things and I put them in my mouth and I chewed on them,” said
Dustin. “What is wrong with me?”

The episode also featured this season’s Coaches Challenge: air hockey. Bisping had never played a game of air hockey “seriously,” where Mayhem hadn’t picked it up since fourth grade.

The winner would walk off with a cool $10,000 and each kid on his team would win $1,500; the pressure was on. Bisping routed Mayhem in the first two games and was happy to talk about it.

“I’m just a natural,” he boasted. “I’m gonna’ give up the UFC and become a professional air hockey player.”

Mayhem pulled out from behind and won a game, but ultimately it was Team Bisping that made off with the prize. Bisping leapt to the table to revel in his glory while landing squarely on his ass as he jumped down, but he lived to tell the tail (pun intended). Mayhem commented that he was “bummed that I let them down, but the real coach’s challenge is December 3rd when I smash his face in.”

At the more violent competition on the episode, Dustin Pague representing Team Mayhem took on T.J.
Dillashaw from Team Bisping in the first semi final bout in the bantamweight division. Dustin went into the fight as the underdog, but wasn’t worried.

“Underdog or not, God’s plan will prevail,” he said. “I respect my opponent; I love my opponent before and
after the fight. I need to get in the cage and get focused. I want this fight more than any other fight I ever had.” T.J. was more confident in his own ability to win. “I see myself winning this fight,” T.J. said. “I see myself winning the finale. Dustin, you’re a good guy, but I’m going to take this from you. I’m very confident I’m going to win this fight.”

At the start of the round, T.J. was the first to strike, but Dustin landed a knee to T.J.’s face in the exchange. Shortly into the round, T.J. scored a takedown and secured top position in Dustin’s full guard.

As a change of pace, Bisping was actually giving good advice, which T.J. followed by postureing up and landing strikes as Dustin tried unsuccessfully to secure a submission. T.J. continued his assault until the last 25 seconds where Dustin regained his feet and and started throwing until the bell sounded. The first round went to T.J.

T.J. again shot in for a takedown at the start of round two, but Dustin managed to elude him. T.J.’s second
attempt was successful. From side mount T.J. used elbows to the face and knees to the body before once again assuming top position. They continue in this fashion with T.J. landing hammer fists as the last 10 seconds count down to the end of the round. Again, I give the round to T.J.

We have a third round tonight, and Dustin wanted to make it a big one. He came at T.J. with a flying knee,
which T.J. used to almost take him to the ground. Dustin regained his balance, but his opponent once again shot in and took him to the mat. T.J. quickly secured a half mount while landing elbows and is cautioned by the ref for blows to the back of the head. He then adjusted to a side mount with one minute to go. T.J. continued raining down blows with Dustin’s back to the cage. Dustin manages to get off the fence but not off his back as the bell sounded.

I call it a win by unanimous decision going to T.J. Dillashaw, as did all three judges.

Dustin believed that “God’s will was done” and T.J. consoles a despondent Dustin Pague before moving his
picture into the finale spot.

Next week the two remaining semi final bouts will be held when Johnny Bedford takes on fellow team mate
and self-proclaimed cheater John Dodson in the bantamweight division and Bryan Caraway fights Diego
Brandao for a spot in the fight against Dennis in the featherweight finale.