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By: Yael Grauer, MMATorch Guest Contributor
The unfairly maligned Tecia Torres will be facing Bec Rawlings this episode, but first we've got some good old-fashioned drama, as mean girls ringleader Angela Magana, along with Angela Hill, Rose Namajunas, and Rawlings herself, conspire to ask Tecia Torres to switch rooms the day before her fight. Oh, and they want Heather Clark to switch rooms, too. Emily Kagan appears to be trying to mediate.
There's still a bit of time to hear Rawlings discuss her training and her abusive ex-boyfriend, but then we head back to the drama with the UFC on Fox 12 pool party. Rawlings has to cut weight, so the “Skrapettes” head out early, giving Emily a chance to talk to Tecia about switching rooms. She says no, and later on everyone is very upset about it, especially Angela. There's still a bit of drama between Bec and Heather; it's normal for tempers to flare, but still somewhat upsetting to see so much bullying in the house. Bec even goes so far as to get upset at Heather for helping Tecia cut weight. It must be hard for Tecia to not really feel a part of any team. However, she's getting a lot of good training with Anthony Pettis, so there's that.
The fight's on, and Torres comes out aggressively with jabs and kicks, while Rawlings works to control the cage and use her boxing. Lots of back-and-forth action, but Torres is pushing the pace, and lands some knees while clinching against the cage in the last seconds of the round.
In the second round, Rawlings works hard to control the cage, and begins with a couple of nice strikes and a trip takedown. Torres regains full guard and Rawlings lets her back up, but presses forward with punches while Torres works her counterstrikes. Rawlings lands a few elbows, but Torres finishes the round with a takedown and a bit of ground and pound.
We're all expecting a third round, but the judges call the fight for Tecia Torres, much to the chagrin of the other fighters. Many respond with boos, something that Joanne Calderwood and Heather Clark don't sound too happy about. Still, a win's a win, unsportsmanlike conduct from jealous fighters notwithstanding.
It's time for the quarterfinals starting with next week's episode, and Felice Herrig will be facing Randa Markos first. The two aren't exactly best friends, with Herrig calling Markos a gym fighter, and saying she's unimpressed. Should be an interesting one.
The rest of the quarterfinal fights are announced as well:
Aisling Daly vs. Jessica Penne
Carla Esparza vs. Tecia Torres
Rose Namajunas vs. Joanne Calderwood.
My predictions? Markos, Penne, Torres, and… the final fight is too close to call. Who you got?
Yael Grauer is a freelance writer, you can find more of her at yaelwrites.com/blog
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