TUF 34 fighters choose sleep over training ahead of quarterfinals

Two bantamweights on The Ultimate Fighter 34 skipped multiple training sessions in the days leading up to their quarterfinal bouts, handing their opponents a psychological advantage before they ever stepped in the cage.

Team Cormier's Sean Mora and Micaias Urena repeatedly chose sleep over preparation, according to contestant Xavier Franklin, who told MMA Fighting the pattern became obvious to everyone in the house. "This is like the biggest fight of your life," Franklin said. "You can't really just be laying in bed, taking time off, especially if your opponent is seeing you do that."

Akylbek Uulu capitalises on mental edge

The absences gave Franklin and his opponent Ilimbek Akylbek Uulu a mental boost heading into their respective matchups. While Mora and Urena rested, Franklin and Akylbek Uulu maintained their training schedules despite exhaustion from the coaches pushing them through a winning streak. Akylbek Uulu went on to outwork Mora in their quarterfinal, while Team Cormier's Delphine Benouaich needed an extra round to edge Mackenzie Stiller by decision in the strawweight bracket.

The Mora-Akylbek Uulu bout carried extra tension after the two clashed during workouts before entering the house, when Mora struck Akylbek Uulu with a punch that opened a cut and nearly got Mora removed from the show. Franklin said the pair competed in an eerie pool game that cameras captured but never aired, with Mora winning while the house watched in silence.

Benouaich's victory over Stiller kept Team Cormier ahead 4-3 in the coaching battle between Daniel Cormier and Michael Bisping. Franklin called the strawweight fight close enough for a fourth round, noting Stiller's takedowns made scoring difficult despite Benouaich's cleaner striking. The next episode airs this week on ESPN.

Reported via:

• MMA Fighting — The Ultimate Insider: Behind the scenes of TUF 34, UFC hopefuls choose sleep over training