Chris Holdsworth pulls off fourth straight submission to win TUF 18 title
Submission specialist Chris Holdsworth has made a career out of making opponents tap out and his latest victory not only sent Davey Grant home with a loss, but his second round, rear naked choke capped off his perfect run to win the 18th season of The Ultimate Fighter.
Holdsworth, a product of Team Alpha Male in California, was a part of Team Tate on the reality show, but on Saturday night he was flanked by a group of great coaches including Muay Thai expert Duane 'Bang' Ludwig, who has led the team to a near perfect record in the Octagon.
Holdsworth did his part to add to the team's recent run while bringing home an Ultimate Fighter trophy to boot.
The fighters both opened up furiously unleashing punches in the opening round with Grant cracking Holdsworth with a good shot to set the tone. Not to be outdone, Holdsworth fired back with a couple of slick combinations that rattled the Brit's jaw. The brief exchanges at distance left Holdsworth and Grant looking for the clinch and takedowns at different points, although neither gained a clear upper hand.
The relentless attacks to get the fight to the ground paid off for Holdsworth in the second round after he stuck to his guns and made Grant engage him in a battle on the mat. Once the fight was on the canvas, Holdsworth didn't waste any time showing his superiority in the jiu-jitsu game, wrapping up Grant and taking his back, locking on the body triangle.
As Grant tried to play defense, Holdsworth quietly slipped his arm under the British bantamweight's chin and wrenched up on a rear naked choke. As the fighters rolled over, Grant was stuck in cement with Holdsworth tightening up on the choke and a few moments later he was forced to tap out.
"HWPO baby — hard work pays off," Holdworth shouted after the victory. "Hats off to Davey Grant, I really respect him, he's a great fighter, great human being and I wish him the best of luck in the future."
Holdsworth (5-0) caps off a perfect run through The Ultimate Fighter with four straight victories — all by submission. It also keeps his undefeated professional record in tact where Holdsworth has finished every one of those fights by submission as well. The Team Alpha Male fighter now jumps into the thick of the bantamweight division where he will join fellow teammates Urijah Faber and TJ Dillashaw on the UFC roster.
