Team Jones’ Dylan Andrews picked up a majority decision over Team Sonnen’s Zak Cummings in the final preliminary bout on The Ultimate Fighter 17.
Cummings landed the first big shot of the fight one minute into the first round — a left hand that rocked Andrews. Cummings then used a d’arce choke attempt to control Andrews on the ground and land some big elbows that cut open his opponent. Cummings briefly moved into mount but a bloody Andrews quickly reversed the position and went to work within Cummings’ guard. Although Cummings did more damage in the first round, Andrews was in top position for the final two minutes of the round.
The second frame began with Cummings, a veteran of Strikeforce, Bellator and MFC, attempting a spinning heel kick and a flying knee, but Andrews took the fight to the ground quickly. Andrews then worked in top position, landing small shots on Cummings from half guard. Andrews landed some bigger elbows before Cummings attempted a sweep to no avail and the round ended with Andrews on top.
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Two of the three judges gave both rounds to Andrews, while the other scored round one for Cummings, which resulted in a majority decision win for Andrews.
Andrews joins his teammates Collin Hart and Josh Samman, plus Team Sonnen’s Jimmy Quinlan, Luke Barnatt, Kelvin Gastelum and Uriah Hall in the quarterfinals.
Also seen on the episode, Jon Jones and Chael Sonnen competed in a coaches’ challenge where they faced off in three different competitions while driving excavators. Sonnen pulled off a come-from-behind win to earn a cool $10,000 and bragging rights.
On the next episode of TUF 17, Team Sonnen’s Kevin Casey and Team Jones’ Bubba McDaniel, who both lost their preliminary fights, will face off to see who earns a spot as this season’s quarterfinal wild card fighter.