‘TUF 23′ Recap: Episode 3

This week’s episode begins with J.J. Aldrich training alongside Joanna Jedrzejczyk and her other coaches, prepping for her fight with Tatiana Suarez. Jedrzejczyk calls Suarez a beast and is super excited to see her fight, but she understands how important is the outcome of matchup. There appears to be a sense of doubt in the voice and body language of the UFC women’s strawweight champion when she speaks, though she’s saying the right things to the camera. Meanwhile, Helen Harper is rolling with Ashley Yoder, and when Yoder gets mount, she pulls off a straight armbar. However, before she is able to tap out, Harper’s right elbow pops. She’s hurt but sucking it up, trying to fight through it. On top of it all, she still sounds like utter crap thanks to her bronchitis. Naturally, Harper is frustrated and emotional, on the verge of a breakdown. Jedrzejczyk is there for her, sitting next to her and coaching the contestant through her turmoil, but the head coach seems a little irritated at what could be looked at as weakness. Team Claudia is training next, and Suarez is explaining to viewers that she was the top-ranked female in freestyle wrestling when she was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 2011. She had to go through surgery and chemo but doesn’t give much detail because it’s very personal to her. Khalil Roundtree and Cory Hendricks make a personal challenge to each other regarding a donut-eating contest. The winner gets to wear a golden donut medallion with sparkles, while the loser has to wear makeup done by one of the girls in the house. Each fighter has 12 donuts on a plate and will try to eat as many as they can within five minutes. Rountree winds up winning the duel, and now Hendricks must get makeup done by the girls. Rountree gets the golden donut medallion and wears it proudly throughout the house. The next day, after Jedrzejczyk tells the camera that she needs Aldrich to stay on her feet against Suarez, a “Doom” action figure appears on the pool table with a letter from UFC President Dana White beside it. It says that he is impressed by the fighters’ work ethic, so they get to play a sneak peak of the new “Doom” game on Xbox One. Everybody playing the game is stoked about how it looks and plays. Apparently everybody gets a copy of …

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