5 things we learned from episode 10 of TUF 29: Team Volkanovski vs Team Ortega

Episode 10 of the reality competition show, The Ultimate Fighter season 29 (TUF 29): Team Volkanovski vs. Team Ortega, dropped on ESPN+ Tuesday night.

This week's installment featured the first semi-final bout in the middleweight division. In the previous episode, Ricky Turcios out-gunned Liudvik Sholinian to give Alexander Volkanovski's squad their fifth straight victory. There has been a significant momentum change since Brian Ortega's team won four straight in the opening round, only to lose five consecutive fights.

It will be up to Team Ortega's top middleweight Andre Petroski to bring his team back on track. Standing in his way is Team Volkanovski's last pick, Bryan Battle, who has overachieved thus far.

Who was able to make it into the finale? Find out as we discuss five things we learned from episode 10 of TUF 29.

Warning: This article contains spoilers for TUF 29 episode 10.

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#5 TUF 29 pit crew challenge

UFC president Dana White said he wanted to shake things up to ease the tension. So, he brought in inaugural TUF winner Forrest Griffin to oversee a special competition. Team Volkanovski and Team Ortega went head-to-head in a pit crew challenge in which they'll race to change the tire of a desert racer.

Both squads were asked to select three people each to be their representatives. Team Volkanovski went with Brady Hiestand – who apparently has experience working as a mechanic – Bryan Battle and Ryder Newman. Team Ortega, on the other hand, selected Andre Petroski, Kemran Lachinov, and Michael Gilmore.

In the end, Team Volkanovski's experience edged out Team Ortega's sheer size. Once they returned to the TUF house, they found out that their prize was a sushi buffet. The boys were ecstatic as they feasted on their favorite Japanese food.

"The biggest and best prize is just beating Team Ortega. I'm so satisfied and happy with that," middleweight Ryder Newman said.

Coach Volkanovski, meanwhile, wanted to impress his boys by doing something rather peculiar. The TUF 29 head coach chowed down on a raw fish's eye as his students watched in disbelief.

#4 Team Ortega regroups

Team Ortega dominated TUF 29 early on, but the tides seem to have turned. They're currently on the wrong side of a long skid after Kemran Lachinov, Dan Argueta, Josh Rettinghouse, Michael Gilmore and Liudvik Sholinian dropped five straight fights in the previous TUF 29 episodes.

As the losses piled on, Ortega wanted to make sure his boys were in a great state of mind. 'T-City' paid his proteges a visit so he could bond with them over playing cards. The UFC featherweight title challenger said:

"We went to the house to check on the guys. Make sure they're doing alright. Our guys lost five times. We've been having some rough days and it's important to let them know that we're still here during the good and the bad."

#3 TUF 29 fighter bio: Bryan Battle (Team Volkanovski)

Coach Volkanovski prepares Bryan Battle for his TUF 29 semi-final bout [Photo credit: @poohbearbattle68 on IG]

Coach Volkanovski said he's happy with the improvements he's seeing in Bryan Battle. At the start of TUF 29, the Aussie champ revealed he was looking for fighters who are coachable. And this is exactly what he appears to have found in Battle:

"The way he just adapts, he just does it to a T. Not many people can do that."

Volkanovski also revealed that he regrets taking Battle last. After coaching Battle for weeks, Volkanovski claimed he's highly optimistic about his student's future in the sport. The champ said:

"Andre is in for a tough fight, I can guarantee you. He's huge, he's on point, his takedown defense, his footwork – you know what I mean – he's money at the moment. Sky is the limit for this kid. He was my last pick out of the middleweights and I'll take that back. If I can take that back, I would."

Once Battle returned to the TUF house, he revealed to his teammates that his wife is pregnant.

The TUF 29 middleweight prospect was given the chance to call his family before he went into his semi-final fight, and found out that he's likely to have a baby boy. The biggest guy in the tournament burst into tears as he opened up about missing his family.

#2 TUF 29 fighter bio: Andre Petroski (Team Ortega)

As the TUF 29 first middleweight pick, expectations are high for Andre Petroski. So far, he has lived up to the hype as he made quick work of his opponent in the tournament's opening round.

Many, including UFC president Dana White, believe that Petroski has the best chance of winning it all. Coach Ortega knew what his star student was capable of and wanted to make sure he used his superior grappling to perfection.

We're told that Petroski is a cerebral fighter. That image of him was reinforced when he was shown playing chess with teammate Josh Rettinghouse.

Ahead of the TUF 29 semi-final fight, Petroski was also allowed to call his wife and daughter. We learned that a loving family man is underneath the fierce competitor facade that Petroski puts on.

#1 Who won the fight and what's in store in next week's TUF 29 episode?

Petroski wasted no time utilizing his wrestling advantage as the TUF 29 semis kicked off. The number-one middleweight pick pressed forward and successfully took his opponent down, but Battle got back to his feet without trouble.

The two competitors engaged in a clinch where they traded short elbows and knees. The action was broken up, however, when Petroski complained about a headbutt. But the instant replay showed that there weren't any illegal strikes thrown and the fight went on.

Battle was furious as he felt like Petroski lied to get a much-needed breather. The two had an unpleasant exchange of words before the opening round came to an end.

In round two, Battle started loosening up as he threw more punches and kicks. Petroski, meanwhile, showed signs of slowing down as fatigue settled in.

As the superior grappler, Petroski managed to get a hold of Battle and took his back. However, Petroski went back to his bread-and-butter single-leg takedown, which ultimately proved to be a fatal mistake.

As Petroski shot for a takedown, Battle caught his neck and squeezed in a guillotine choke. The top middleweight pick had no choice but to tap out.

"This fight was a surprise to pretty much everyone," UFC president Dana White said. "Bryan – the last pick for Team Volkanovski – takes out Ortega's number one middleweight. And he beat him with a submission, which he was supposed to be good at."

TUF 29 semi-final bout: Vincent Murdock vs. Brady Hiestand [Photo credit: @bambam__hiestand & @vincentmurdock on IG]

The TUF 29 semi-final rounds continue next week as Vincent Murdock and Brady Hiestand square off. Volkanovski and Ortega will also compete in the ceremonial coach's challenge.