J. Peña (photo) became the first woman to win an edition of TUF. Photo: Josh Hedges
The 18th edition of TUF came to an end in style. The event held this evening (30), in Las Vegas, honored the athletes from the Miesha Tate. Chris Holdsworth and Julianna Pena defeated davey grant and Jessica Rakoczy, from the Ronda Rousey respectively. In the main fight of the night, Nate diaz defeated the favorite Gray Maynard and recovered from a two-game losing streak.
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Diaz vs. Maynard
The main fight of the TUF 18 Finale pitted two former lightweight title challengers face to face. Gray Maynard, currently fifth in the division rankings, entered the duel against Nate diaz willing to try to climb the ladder for a new chance. But Brazilian student Cezar Gracie surprised his rival in a sensational way.
In the first few moves, Maynard started better and came down, but Nate got up quickly. With the duel back to striking, Diaz made his greater reach count. The moment Gray closed the distance to strike, he unleashed a counter blow and shook his rival.
Quick on the trigger, Nate diaz he launched an endless sequence of punches at Maynard, who was struggling to stay on his feet. Completely lost in the fight, Gray was an easy target for his rival and the referee ended up stopping the fight, declaring a technical knockout.
“Now everyone knows that the number one and two in the category are here,” said Diaz, calling out Gilbert Melendez, his teammate.
Penã dominates Rakoczy and wins the first female TUF
Julianna Pena made history tonight in Las Vegas. The American of Venezuelan descent confirmed her favoritism and defeated Jessica Rakoczy in the first final of TUF, the UFC reality show, between women. Peña, who entered the duel as the favorite, took no notice of her rival and dominated the Canadian from the first moves.
As soon as the bell sounded, Julianna closed the distance and didn't want to risk the Rakoczy exchange. As soon as she reached the clinch, she won the takedown and showed all her dominance in the grappling fight. Peña quickly reached mount and with an endless sequence of blows forced referee Mario Yamazaki to interrupt the duel and declare a technical knockout.
“She is a very tough opponent. I thought she wouldn't be able to end the fight, but at the last second I did. I felt empowered since they chose me in the program. I’m just getting started”, said the winner still in the Octagon.
Holdsworth wins among men
In the first final of the night, Chris Holdsworth secured victory for the Miesha Tate. The ground fighting specialist submitted the Englishman davey grant with a rear naked choke in the second round and won the 18th season of TUF between men. He had already won three duels at home by submission.
Despite being a ground fighter specialist, Holdsworth started well in striking against Grant. The North American worked with short blows and assimilated his rival's attacks well. With a balanced first round in the stand-up fight, Chris ended the fight with a submission in the second round.
After defending a high kick from the Englishman, Holdsworth managed the takedown. From above, he began his dominance. With punches and elbows, the American opened up space to reach his back to lock in a tight rear-naked choke. With the choke tight and the padlock closed around his waist, Grant was forced to give up the fight just over two minutes into the second round.
Check out the complete results from the TUF 18 Finale below:
main card
Nate diaz derrotou Gray Maynard by technical knockout in R1;
TUF Final: Chris Holdsworth submitted davey grant with a rear naked choke in R2;
TUF Final: Julianna Pena defeated Jessica Rakoczy via TKO in R1;
Jessamyn Duke defeated Peggy Morgan via unanimous decision by the judges;
Rachel Pennington defeated Roxanne Modafferi via unanimous decision;
Preliminary Card
Akira Corassani defeated Maximo Blanco by disqualification in R1;
Tom Niinimaki defeated Rani Yaya in the judges' split decision;
Jared Rosholt defeated Walter Harris via unanimous decision;
Sean Spencer defeated Drew dober in the unanimous decision of the judges;
Josh Sampo submitted Ryan Benoit with a rear naked choke in R1;
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