The Ultimate Fighter in fact does still exist. To prove it, the UFC held a finale to their 28th season in America Saturday night and crowned two TUF winners.
The season, titled "Heavy Hitters," featured combatants in the UFC's two heaviest divisions for respective genders, men's heavyweight and women's featherweight.
Chiasson with the big right hand puts Kianzad down! #TUFFinale pic.twitter.com/QTD4opUHOZ
— UFC (@ufc) December 1, 2018
Macy Chiasson (coached on the show by Kelvin Gastelum) moved to 3-0 by defeating Pannie Kianzad in the finals via submission in round 2. Chiasson controlled the clinch, worked out of an armbar attempt and took the back of the much more experienced Kianzad on her way to taking the back and locking in a rear naked choke for the win.
As is the case with most on The Ultimate Fighter, the 3-0 record (although UFC listed her as 4-0), that record is deceiving. Chiasson defeated UFC veteran Larissa Pacheco and Leah Letson in uncounted exhibition fights, while going 4-2 as an amateur fighter.
Immediate takedown for Espino! #TUFFinale pic.twitter.com/1n7G6BqPGx
— UFC (@ufc) December 1, 2018
Juan Espino (coached by Robert Whittaker on the show) became one of the oldest TUF winners ever at 38, when he dominated and controlled the much younger Justin Frazier. Espino defeated Kelvin Gastelum's top two picks on the show on his way to the finals, where he put Frazier away with a top wristlock.
Immediate takedown for Espino! #TUFFinale pic.twitter.com/1n7G6BqPGx
— UFC (@ufc) December 1, 2018
You can see our full live coverage of UFC's The Ultimate Fighter Finale at this link. We'll have a wrap up podcast this Saturday night.
