Roy Nelson vs Matt Mitrione
Round 1:
Over 500 pounds of man is squaring off in the Octagon in this heavyweight match. This is scheduled for 5 rounds, but is very unlikely to last that long. Nelson a.k.a. Big Country is looking to land his signature power right. Mitrione has been using solid kicks to keep Nelson at a distance, but Nelson runs forward and attaches himself to Mitrione. Mitrione reverses it and begins throwing knees into Nelson's body while he has him pinned against the cage. As they break apart, Mitrione throw and elbow and shortly after, the punches start to get angry. These guys have devolved into a bar fight. Throwing back and forth, it is only a matter of time and Roy Nelson pounds Mitrione HARD with the fierce right he's been looking for all night. Someone yell timber and Mitrione is falling to the mat and within 3 more punches, ref Herb Dean has to stop the fight.
Official result: Nelson via KO at 2:58 in Round 1
Colton Smith vs Mike Ricci
Round 1:
Here is the title fight. The winner becomes the Ultimate Fighter and wins a six-figure contract with the UFC. Within the first 10 seconds you can see how bad these guys want it. At hyperspeed, Smith charges at Ricci and Ricci is ready. Ricci wrangles Smith head and takes Smith down to the canvas. Ricci then throws elbows hard and heavy onto Smith's head forcing Smith to move fast and escape. Once free, Smith aggresses again and takes Ricci's back. attached to Ricci like a spider monkey, Smith is punishing Ricci with short punches. Ricci opens up his body and now we are sitting against the cage with Smith threatening to sink in a rear-naked choke. Ricci is defending carefully, and he scrambles and escapes! This fight is entertaining in spades and the guys actually high-five each other mid-fight! Remember, these guys spent 6 weeks living in a house together during the reality competition. Smith gets active again, shooting on Ricci and grabbing one of his legs, Smith goes for the takedown, but Ricci fights it off. Smith is maintain the dominating position, pushes Ricci against the cage and eventually secures the takedown. This fight has not been pretty, but Colton Smith is winning.
Score: 10-9 Smith
Round 2:
The second round starts with a low blow striking Ricci. Ricci complains tot eh ref, but there is no stoppage. Smith did stall to see if the ref would call it, but with no call the fight must go on. Smith continues putting heavy pressure on Ricci. Ricci on the ground keeps his knee between himself and Smith but Smith manages to find a way to slip around and once again takes Ricci's back. Smith again tries to choke Ricci out, but Ricci flattens and sneaks out the back door to survive. Less than 1 minute later, Smith has snuck his way back into the same position. He tries for the choke again, but still no cigar. Ricci is doing an amazing defensive job, but for the first time all season it looks as if the Canadian Tristar gym prospect is getting outclassed. Smith closes out the round fatiguing Ricci simply by applying his mass. The seconds round ends, again in Smith's favor.
Score: 10-9 Smith, 20-18 Smith
Round 3:
We have entered the decisive round. Ricci knows that he is likely 2 rounds behind. Smith however is not changing his game plan. Smith is rushing Ricci and again mounts Ricci's back. Sitting with his back against the cage wall, Smith has almost neutralized all of Ricci's attack. This lets Smith attempt submissions at will. from Arm triangles to neck cranks, Smith is dictating all of the action in this fight. Halfway through the round, Ricci is eating fists from behind and must do something drastic if he wants a chance to win this title. Ricci with 90 seconds to go struggle to stand up but the weight of Smith keep pulling him down. At this point it is as if Ricci is stuck in molasses. The crowd is booing, wanting more striking and action, but Smith would be a fool to step away from this dominating game plan. 60 seconds to go and Ricci goes for broke, he moves like a cat and swivels on top of Smith! He has mount and lands a few blows, then he takes Smith's back. Ricci with 45 seconds to go tries to sink in a choke. Smith is on all fours doing everything he can to prevent victory from slipping away. Ricci, ever so savvy, aborts the choke and goes for and armbar! Smith is 20 seconds away from victory but must defend. And he does! Smith slips out, takes Ricci's back and the final horn sounds. Congratulation to Army Staff Sergeant Colton Smith, your new Ultimate Fighter!
Score: 10-9 Smith, 30-27 Smith
Official Result: Smith via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
Pat Barry vs Shane Del Rosario
Round 1:
Barry and Del Rosario create a very unique kickboxing match. Early on they trade inside leg kicks that will surely bruise if continued. Del Rosario grabs Barry in the clinch, but Barry is ready. Against the cage, Del Rosario starts kneeing Barry in the abdomen and then he shoots trying to earn a takedown. Barry counters by grabbing Del Rosario's head and threatening with a choke. Neither man can take the advantage and they break. halfway through the round, Barry delivers more flying legs of pain and Del Rosario charges like a bull, plowing Barry across the ring and into the wall of the cage. A scuffle against the cage wall occurs and Del Rosario takes Barry's back. Del Rosario sinks ina rear naked choke, but Barry manages to slip free. Del Rosario maintains Barry's back and even threatens with an omoplata until the final 10 seconds when Barry fully escapes and delivers a few sweet fists of revenge.
Score: 10-9 Del Rosario
Round 2:
Pat Barry can not afford to fall into such close quarters again if he wants to win this fight. Early on, Barry keeps his distance and decides to take this fight to his fists. Del Rosario seems willing to oblige and this may be his biggest mistake. After trading a few blows, Barry delivers a monster right hook that makes Del Rosario's eyes roll into the back of his head. Barry sees this and runs forward throwing haymakers with only one intent. after 3 or so misses, Barry connects with a mack truck of a left and Del Rosario topples to the canvas. The ref steps in and Pat Barry has himself a KO victory!
Official Result: Barry wins via KO in Round 2
Dustin Poirier vs Jonathan Brookins
Round 1:
Welcome to the Main Card of the Ultimate Fighter Finale. Brookins leads things off and he isn't wasting any time. He comes out and catches Poirier with a fast right and it's on! Brookins must have unleashed 50 blows almost instantaneous, wailing on Poirier. Poirier manages to fight his way out of it and actually lands a few nice counter shots on Brookins. The men separate and about 30 seconds later Brookins catches Poirier again! Brookins is looking to close it out, but Poirier isn't having it. Turning the tables, Poirier starts to catch Brookins with some front kicks. This bout is getting even in a hurry. Is Brookins gassed from his early flurries? Poirier catches Brookins again with a big right and after a few punches he sinks in a D'arce choke. Poirier torques off of his knees rolling onto his side and Brookins is forced to tap! Poirier weathered the storm for a huge win!
Official Result: Poirier wins via submission (D'arce choke) in Round 1
Mike Pyle vs James Head
Round 1:
Early in the round Pyle gets caught with his back against the cage. Head punishes him with knees and punches to the body. After about 20 seconds of taking it Pyle escapes and we're back to a standing brawl. The guys work over to the other side of the cage and Pyle finds himself with his back to the cage again. This time though, Pyle grabs a Thai clinch behind Head's noggin and face meet knee. Pyle makes direct knee to skull contact dropping Head to the floor. Pyle jumps down for some ground and pound but the fight is stopped very quickly. Head is done.
Official Result: Pyle via KO in Round 1
Johnny Bedford vs Marcos Vinicius
Round 1:
Bedford and Vinicius go to battle and after a brief early scuffle, Vinicius locks in a guillotine choke that makes Bedford squirm. After about 1 seconds, Vinicius decides that he doesn't have the choke and releases. Now with Bedford on top, the 'Brutal one tries to advance to half guard, but shifts to side control instead. Vinicius uses his back against the cage to improve his defense and Bedford decides it is time to stand this fight up. Bedford opens up a brief striking combination and needs to score some points. He establishes a nice jab. moving nicely from face to body. with 90 to go, Bedford blasts Vinicius with a stiff right that floors Vinicius. Bedford ends up in side control and as they get up, Bedford starts to punish Vinicius with knees to the abdomen. What a turnaround for Bedford.
Score: 10-9 Bedford
Round 2:
Bedford continues with the stand up striking to open round 2, throwing fists and elbows. How do you slow that down? Well if you're Vinicius you end up kicking Bedford in the groin with a swift front kick. Bedford takes a minute to breathe and never kick a man in the groin who will get to punch you back. After a spinning back kick from Vinicius that whiffed, Bedford levels Vinicius again with a killer right. Bedford pounces, with punches and the fight is over. There is question of an illegal kick to a downed fighter, but all is clear.
Official result: Bedford wins via KO at 1:00 in Round 2.
Vinc Pichel vs Rustam Khabilov
Round 1:
TUF Live's Vinc Pichel is being taken for a ride early. Takedown, side guard, suplex, back taken, suplex again, full mount, back given up again. All this in the first 2 minutes! Khabilov is frickin' insane! After all that, Khabilov levels a 3rd (THIRD!) suplex and after landing on his head for the second time, Pichel is OUT!
Official Result: Khabilov wins via KO in Round 1
TJ Waldburger vs Nick Catone
Round 1:
Waldburger is a submission machine with 12 wins by submission on his record, mind you he comes out early in round one snapping off high front kicks. An early scuffle has Waldburger challenging Catone to some wrestling against the cage, but Catone is the one going for Waldburger's back. Catone gets a little sloppy and Waldburger ends up getting Catone's back. Waldburger has Catone's arm in a double wrist lock and we could be on the verge of a big submission. Down on the ground, Catone shifts on top of Waldburger and Waldburger releases the wrist lock. Catone rears up and blasts Waldburger with a hard right, but Waldburger is unphased. Now fully back on the ground, the wrestling continues and Catone maintains control to end the round. Quite the even round.
Score: 10-9 Catone
Round 2:
Waldburger gets things going with some awesome strikes. A left hook clips Catone and brings him to his knees. Catone lurches forward trying to grab Waldburger's leg, but Waldburger takes his head ina guillotine choke. Danger Will Robinson! Or should we say Nick Catone. Waldburger switches deftly to an arm triangle and 15 seconds later, Herb Dean has to stop the fight. Waldburger releases and Catone limp body slumps on the mat. The Jersey Devil is out!
Official Result: Waldburger wins via submission (arm triangle) at 1:04 in Round 2
Reuben Duran vs Hugo Viana
Round 1:
Viana and Duran posture briefly before Viana gets vicious. Viana has rocks in his hands delivering deft blows including a right that rocks Duran. Duran goes down and Viana jumps in to deal damage, Duran gets up and Viana tries to take his back but is unsuccessful. Viana then decks Duran with another right and Duran is in early trouble. Duran forces a clinch against the cage and gets double underhooks slowing the action. Then they separate. With two minutes to g a bit of a kickboxing matchup breaks out. No real damage is dealt. The Viana gets bored. He launches forward with a monster right and Duran is in trouble. Wobbly, Duran is struggling to defend himself and that's all it takes for Viana to throw a final haymaker that clocks Duran right under the ear. Game, set match, Viana!
Official result: Viana via KO at 4:05 in round 1
Mike Rio vs John Cofer
Round 1:
Rio and Cofer coming back to the Octagon in a battle of TUF Live veterans. Cofer is striking hard early in what you would think would be a big time wrestling match. Rio tries to take the fight to the ground grabbing Cofer's leg, but Cofer successfully hops against the cage to the opposite wall. Still standing they begin to trade and Cofer lays down the hammer. Sneaking inside, Cofer decks Rio with 2 brutal lefts and Rio is visibly dazed. Cofer charges, but Rio snaps out of it in time to engage Cofer in a clinch in order to catch a breather. They separate and after about a minute, Rio finally gets the one-legged takedown. He tries to do some damage rearing up and throwing some tough lefts, but Cofer spins out and takes control putting Rio on his back in full guard. The round closes with Cofer attempting a late unnecessary leg lock.
Score: 10-9 Cofer
Round 2:
Rio comes out as the more aggressive string to open the round. He does seem to be worried of Cofer's left, but Rio is throwing 2 punches to Cofer's 1. After about 1 minute of trading blows, Rio picks Cofer up and SLAMS him to the ground. Rio isn't really able to capitalize on the position and after avoiding an omoplata from Cofer, he stands up. The fight returns upright and Rio is making an effort to keep the fight in closer quarters. With a little over a minute to go, this pays off as Rio gets a takedown and moves quickly into full mount. Cofer slips to get up, but Rio takes Cofer's back as he stands up. Witha big shake, Cofer drops Rio tot eh ground and the round ends with a few final slugs.
Score: 10-9 Rio, 19-19 even
Round 3:
Rio has effectively turned this fight into a wrestling match and if he can maintain control, he may get paid off in his UFC debut. Early in the round, Rio scores the takedown and goes to work on Cofer. He works in some body shots, deals some pain and then starts to target submissions. From side position, Rio starts to work on a kimura briefly before transitioning to an armbar. Cofer rolls over to avoid it and after a brief struggle, he is on top of Rio in full guard. That is briefly lived though as Rio has not let go of Cofer and reverses back into a great armbar position, leg over face. After a little bit of struggle, Rio extends the hips and Cofer is forced to tap just before the end of the round.
Official Result: Rio wins via submission (armbar) at 4:11 in the 3rd round.
Jared Papazian vs Tim Elliott
Round 1:
Flyweights are basically speed demons. And we've got two southpaws ready to deal out the punishment. Elliott actually comes out in an orthodox stance while Papazian bum rushes to start the action. A lot of early punches slow down with Elliott grabbing Papazian with a standing guillotine choke. Elliott lets it go to open up with some punches. Papazian seems a little thrown off by this. Elliott takes him down and now seems to be looking to move into full mount. he fails to get full mount but tries another choke, which Papazian escapes.
Then comes the drama. Papazian catches Elliott with a shot and Elliott is backed against the cage. He falls backwards and Papazian hits him with an illegal knee to the head (as Elliott is a grounded opponent). The fights stops and the doctor comes is. Elliott is severely dazed. After 2-3 minutes, the fight is permitted to continue, but it's scary to see this go on.
Elliott comes back strong and might have been playing possum with Papazian. Both men trade some brutal shots, Elliott gets another chance to mount and deals some epic elbows, returning the favor to Papazian.
Score: 10-9 Elliott
Round 2:
Elliott seems fully recovered. What isn't recovered, Papazian's nose. A few blows into the round and Papazian's nose is gushing with blood. Elliott is controlling the action backing Papazian against the cage. He then goes for another guillotine, but lets it go quickly. Papazian keeps it competitive with a nice kick and a couple of great uppercuts. Elliott seems to be absorbing the damage well though and goes in for a jumping double kick. With 90 seconds to of the stand and trade continues and Elliott is doing the better job of moving around the Octagon and being evasive. 30 seconds to go, Elliott starts throwing spinning kicks scoring a takedown at the end of the round with some ground and pound from side control to close it out.
Score: 10-9 Elliott, 20-18 Elliott
Round 3:
The round hits the mat early with Elliott grabbing Papazian's heel and Papazian's offense being stalled. Papazian tries to get things going with some hammer fists but shortly later the ref stands them up. Papazian this time comes out dealing some heavy rights, he shakes Elliott again witha few blow, but Elliott catches Papazian with a left that drops him! Elliott works to full mount and lays on the damage. fists, elbows, attempted chokes, Papazian is eating it all. Elliott paints the canvas red with Papazian's blood and and exclamation point on this fight. Papazian got owned this round.
Score: 10-9 Elliott, 30-27 Elliott
Official Result: Elliott via unanimous decision (30-25, 30-25, 30-26)
Main Card
Roy Nelson vs Matt Mitrione
Colton Smith vs Mike Ricci
Pat Barry vs Shane Del Rosario
Dustin Poirier vs Jonathan Brookins
Prelims
Mike Pyle vs James Head
Johnny Bedford vs Marcos Vinicius
Vinc Pichel vs Rustam Khabilov
TJ Waldburger vs Nick Catone
Online Prelims
Reuben Duran vs Hugo Viana
Mike Rio vs John Cofer
Jared Papazian vs Tim Elliott
