Nicco Montaño wins TUF 26 and is the first UFC flyweight champion

N. Montaño is the new UFC champion. Photo: Reproduction / Facebook UFC

Nicco Montaño made history on Friday night (1). The American defeated Roxanne Modafferi in the final of the 26th The Ultimate Fighter (TUF), the UFC reality show, and became the event's first flyweight champion.

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Nicco's victory was surprising. She entered the competition as 14th ranked, but beat Lauren Murphy, Montana Stewart, and former Invicta FC flyweight champion Barb Honchak inside the house. In the grand final, Nicco beat Modafferi, the first place in the ranking before the start of the program.

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Montaño's victory came via unanimous decision by the judges. The dispute was intense and disputed during the 25 minutes of competition. But with better connected blows, good combinations and an advantage in ground fighting and greater damage to his rival, Nicco came out on top. Roxanne even got an armbar in the final 20 seconds and almost took the duel, but with great courage, the athlete from New Mexico managed to escape and leave the octagon with the victory.

“I feel incredible. I can't thank my coaches like I should. I don't know what to say, Roxanne has been an inspiration since I started fighting. We shared the [TUF] house, I have no words”, declared Nicco.

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