Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) takes place TONIGHT (Sat., Nov. 30, 2013) from Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, tying a ribbon around its latest combat sports reality show with its latest mixed martial arts (MMA) event.
MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of TUF 18 Finale main card action this evening (Sat., Nov. 30, 2013), which is slated to begin promptly at 10 p.m. ET on FOX Sports 1. The latest fight-by-fight updates of all the live action will begin to flow around 7:30 p.m. ET with the "Prelims" bout on Facebook.
The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 18 Finale will feature the long-awaited rubber match between Gray Maynard and Nate Diaz, who first met back on Spike TV in 2007. Also scheduled for this weekend's fight card are the Bantamweight male and first-ever female finales between the four TUF 18 finalists from this past season.
Many of our readers check-in before, during and after the televised action to share their thoughts on all the exciting action. Therefore, feel free to leave a comment (or 18) before you leave and chat with all the other Maniacs during the show -- it always turns out to be a great discussion.
Keep in mind that we will also be the spot for the latest news, recaps and post-fight analysis after "Maynard vs. Diaz 3."
Without further delay, see below for the latest TUF 18 Finale results. (Note: This will go from the bottom up; therefore, scroll toward the bottom for the latest detailed round-by-round action.)
Braiterman here with the play-by-play
TUF 18 FINALE QUICK RESULTS:
155 lbs.: Gray Maynard vs. Nate Diaz -- Diaz wins via TKO (punches) - 2:38 rd 1
135 lbs.: Julianna Pena vs. Jessica Rakoczy (TUF 18 Women's Final) -- Pena wins via TKO (Ground and Pound) - 4:59 rd 1
135 lbs.: David Grant vs. Chris Holdsworth (TUF 18 Men's Final) -- Holdsworth wins via submission (RNC) - 2:10 rd 2
135 lbs.: Jessamyn Duke vs. Peggy Morgan -- Duke wins via decision (unanimous) - 30-27 x3
135 lbs.: Roxanne Modafferi vs. Raquel Pennington -- Pennington wins via decision (unanimous) - 30-27 x2, 29-28
145 lbs.: Maximo Blanco vs. Akira Corassani -- Corassani wins via disqualification (illegal knee) - 0:25 rd 1
145 lbs.: Tom Niinimaki vs. Rani Yahya -- Niinimaki wins via decision (split) - 30-27, 29-28, 28-29
265 lbs.: Walter Harris vs. Jared Rosholt -- Rosholt wins via decision (unanimous) - 29-28 x3
170 lbs.: Drew Dober vs. Sean Spencer -- Spencer wins via decision (unanimous) - 30-27 x3
125 lbs.: Ryan Benoit vs. Josh Sampo -- Sampo wins via submission (RNC) - 4:31 rd 2
TUF 18 FINALE FOX SPORTS 1 MAIN CARD PLAY-BY-PLAY RESULTS:
Gray Maynard vs. Nate Diaz
Round one: I'm not sure what possessed FOX to make 10 fights a 6-hour event, but this is just ridiculous. We're treated to the walk-outs at least. Diaz in gray, Maynard in white and we get Lavigne to prevent these two from cannibalizing each other after the bell. Diaz with some lefts to open. He evades a big right and lands another lead left. Maynard with a single and gets the takedown. Diaz tries to go for a leg, but Maynard dives into his guard to prevent it. Diaz trying for a straight armbar. Maynard punches and Diaz stands. Diaz with a judo hip toss, but Maynard holds on and rolls through. Diaz stands and lands a couple knees. Overhand from Maynard. Maynard tries to bull on a single and Diaz escapes Maynard wobbles from a short left Diaz plows forward and is lighting Maynard up like a Christmas tree. Lefts, rights, uppercuts and Maynard is out on his feet. Lavigne isn't stopping it and Diaz isn't letting up! Maynard isn't going down, but he's eating hard punches like it's his job. FINALLY, Lavigne steps in to save Maynard from taking more brain damage.
Final result: Nate Diaz wins via TKO (punches) at 2:38 of round 1
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Julianna Pena vs. Jessica Rakoczy (TUF 18 Women's Final)
Round one: Jessica in green and Pena - a "sick-jistu fighter" - in blue. Our ref is Yamasaki. Jessica with some short punches, but Pena closes the gap and takes her down early. Half guard. Pena tries to pass, but gets kicked off and Jessica is standing. Pena working Jessica back and hits a body knee. Jessica turns and gets a couple punches in the clinch, but Pena muscles her back and trips her down near the center of the octagon. Half guard again. Jessica defending against damage pretty well so far. There's a right from Pena as she's swinging wild. She dumps back down into side control. Mount. There's some GNP. Jessica gives up an arm for an armbar, but Pena doesn't try for it at all and is just trying to donkey kong her. Jessica trying to get her legs involved to get out of this mount, but she's getting hit hard here.It's about to get stopped here with 20 seconds left, and there it is just before the bell
Final result: Julianna Pena wins via TKO (ground and pound) at 4:59 of round 1
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David Grant vs. Chris Holdsworth (TUF 18 Men's Final)
Round one: The pacing on this is miserable. We've had 7 fights in 4 hours and I ran out of beer long ago. Grant in the green and Holdsworth in blue. We've got Lavigne to mediate. Leg kick from Grant to open. Another as he avoids a left counter. Holdsworth wades in to get a clinch. Grant defends and lands a heavy left. Holdsworth tries for a takedown again and fails. Holdsworth hits a right that sends Grant backpedaling. Holdsworth with a left and clinches. Grant with an overhook. He reverses and bites for a takedown, but goes to kneeing the leg and then breaking. They both swing big and don't connect. Right from Grant. Grant wades forward with hooks that miss. Holdsworth tries for a takedown up against the fence that Grant is staying upright so far. 90 seconds left and Holdsworth grabs the fence so HE can stay up. They're position battling here with both fighting for the body lock and neither gaining a clear advantage. Finally Holdsworth gets on top with 20 seconds in guard, but can't do anything.
10-9 Grant
Round two: Holdsworth with a headkick. Grant gets a teep in. Holdsworth gets in on a single and finally nails it clean. Holdsworth in side control with room and time to work. Grant hip escaping, but eating some rights. Half guard. Holdsworth slips around to the back and latches on a body triangle. Holdsworth isn't clean on the back - he's a bit on the side but he rotates and cinches up the rear-naked... Grant doesn't even hand fight and taps.
Final result: Chris Holdsworth wins via submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:10 of round 2
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Jessamyn Duke vs. Peggy Morgan
Round one: Morgan in black, Duke in green and we've got Winslow in to control the fouls. Morgan comes in with a left. Duke with a right. Jab from Duke, but Morgan is pressing forward. They are pushed up against the cage and Duke is doing a good job with her back to the cage. Duke reverses. Morgan with a trip but Duke stands with a whizzer. Duke jumps guard for an arm-in guillotine. Morgan is defending so far and gets out after a minute or so. Duke immediately switches to high guard. Morgan turns to her left to defend a triangle. Morgan stacks her up to defend posture. Triangle is getting closer to happening, but Morgan keeps defending well. Duke punching from bottom. Morgan loses some position and gets closer into the sub, but Duke can't finish from that angle. Duke switches sides with her long legs and puts her in danger. Duke with elbows and punches from bottom.
10-9 Duke
Round two: Morgan lands a jab and Duke hits a left then a 3-2. Morgan comes in as a right goes beyond her and she presses with punches. Duke with the lead left hook and again a couple seconds later. 2-3 again for Duke. Morgan powering forward with straights, but she's still eating punches on the return fire. Her jab is working, but not much more. Half-powered high kick from Duke. Body knee as well. Left hook hits square in the face of Morgan. Duke with a Thai Plumm and Morgan reverses it. 2-3 hits again. Duke is just clean punching Morgan in the face almost whenever she wants. Duke goes for a takedown at the buzzer and nails it just for emphasis.
10-9 Duke
Round three: Duke hits a left, a jab and another left. Morgan throwing volume, landing little and getting solidly countered. Duke with some good dirty boxing, but Morgan goes for a Thai clinch. Duke with hers and they break at the fencing, which allows duke to tee off on Morgan. Morgan looking for a body lock, which Duke fights off. Bulldog headlock from Duke but, she just ends up with Morgan on her back. Morgan with her hooks in and trying desperately for a rear-naked. Duke is defending for a good minute, but finally gets her arm free. Duke rolls under and gets mounted, but she shrimps and gets half guard. 45 seconds and Winslow is warning for action. Morgan gets active, but Winslow says to heck with that to the disgust of Florian. Duke back to swinging hard, trying to re-win this round. Duke punches her with a right hand as the horn sounds.
I'll give that 10-9 to Morgan, but whatever.
Final result: Jessamyn Duke wins via decision (unanimous) 30-27 x3
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Roxanne Modafferi vs. Raquel Pennington
Round one: I'm just gonna say this now, I truly hope that Roxy wins but am highly doubtful she will. Tagnoni in there. Roxy in yellow, Pennington in blue. Jabs from Roxy here. 1-2 from Pennington and the 2 lands. Roxy tries to cut an angle and misses. Flurry from Roxy. Roxy's kicks aren't landing at all. Pennington with a pair of rights. Halfway through the first round. Roxy hasn't looked for the takedown once yet, but she comes in with a nice flurry. Isn't landing strong, but she's probably winning the round so far. Spinning backfist from Roxy. Right from Pennington and a left. Roxy with a right, too. Roxy finally gets Pennington to the cage and is working for a takedown with 90 seconds left. Pennington hits a knee and an uppercut while defending. Pennington defending and reverses against the cage. Pennington elbows and breaks. Jab from Pennington. Roxy with a flurry.
10-9 Modafferi
Round two: More action from Roxy, but Pennington is looking to answer the volume. Roxy punches her way into a clinch and is working on a takedown that Pennington is preventing well. They break and exchange punches. 1-2 lands from Pennington. Right lands and Roxy shoots a double that Pennington sprawls on. Pennington on top in full guard. Roxy looking for a triangle. Rubber guard working here pretty well from Roxy's back. Pennington gets some semblance of posture back and throws some rights. Armbar attempt. Pennington defends and Roxy kicks her back. They stand with 53 seconds left. Roxy circling now, but throwing less. Solid step in left hook staggers Roxy a bit. Right lands solid. They trade clinch knees. Roxy hits a right at the end of the round.
10-9 Pennington
Round three: Roxy with a second wind here throwing, but her head is stock still when she gets inside and she's getting tagged by straights over and over. Pennington stuffs a takedown. 1-2-legkick from Roxy ans she slips a punch finally. Pennington coming forward here, but not throwing much. Left lands, though. Another, too. Clinch into the cage and Roxy tries for a trip, but Pennington muscles her away. Pennington catches a body kick and punches Roxy in the face. Roxy shoots and gets stuffed. Roxanne goes for guard here and is trying to win this off her back perhaps. Side control, half and now full guard. Body punches from Pennington. Rubber guard and Roxy is looking for a triangle or an armbar. Nope and more body punches. Roxy still fishing, but not landing anything even close. Roxy is standing and going for a takedown. Pennington with a guillotine/neck crank here. Roxy falls to her back. Roxy tries to punch the body, but to no avail.
10-9 Pennington
Final result: Raquel Pennington wins via decision (unanimous) 30-27 x2, 29-28
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TUF 18 FINALE FOX SPORTS 1 UNDER CARD "PRELIMS" PLAY-BY-PLAY ON FOX SPORTS 1 RESULTS:
Maximo Blanco vs. Akira Corassani
Round one: Blanco in white... the Akira-do fighter, Corassani in black and we've got Mario Yamasaki to referee us. Blanco with a white and a takedown just seconds in. Ugh. Illegal knee to a grounded opponent. Hand and knee were both down and Akira says "I can't see". Well. Akira looks to be going with the acting job here and it appears he's going to work. Oh, the flopping game has made its way to MMA. Yamasaki has told Blanco he's going to get disqualified and Blanco literally does a backflip. NSAC head Keith Kizer tells Mario he can look at the replay if he so chooses. Yamasaki takes advantage of it and yup, it's a clear illegal knee.
Final result: Akira Corassani wins via disqualification (illegal knee) at 0:25 round 1
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Round one: Kim Winslow the ref, Yahya in the white and black and Niinimaki in black. Yahya with a flurry that Tom circles out of. Flurry into a takedown attempt from Yahya gets matched by a guillotine from Tom. Tom manages to reverse Yahya, but the Brazilian goes for a heel hook. Tom defends but Yahya keeps working on his defense. They're back to standing and Yahya is back in that guillotine that Tom uses to stay on top. Again they scramble. Yahya in deep half. Almost a reverse half... and Yahya spins to take the back. Reverse crucifix position. Tom stands and powers Yahya down. Side control. Half. Yahya gives up the back on a roll. Deep half. Tom is defending by sitting on Yahya's face.
10-9 Niinimaki
Round two: Leg kick from Yahya. Left from him, too. Yahya tries a takedown, Tom reverses it and gets Yahya down. Butterfly guard from Yahya and he uses a guillotine to roll Tom down, but Tom rolls through and is now on top in side control! Elbows from Tom. One to the back of the head that Winslow warns him about. They're both spinning counter-clockwise now. "Work" warning from Winslow. Half guard and a standup from Winslow. Huge teep and a single from Tom. Yahya tries for a guillotine here and he may have it. Doesn't seem deep enough and Tom pops his head out. Tom stands and that allows Yahya to scramble.
Close, but 10-9 Yahya on my card.
Round three: Tom with an immediate takedown into side control. Half. Light GNP here. Not much and we've got a standup at 3:00. Left from Yahya, who's flurrying well. Takedown attempt into a guillotine from Yahya. He rolls on top with 2 minutes left. Tom defending well enough, but is stuck in the guillotine. Tom gets the chin under and Yahya breaks the attempt. He's on top in half guard. Tom digging for an underhook. Yahya tries for a Kimura but Tom defends. Not much action here
10-9 Yahya, but I can see the fight being scored almost any way.
Final result: Tom Niinimaki wins via decision (split) 30-27, 29-28, 28-29
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Walter Harris vs. Jared Rosholt
Round one: Harris is in white and is from Alabama. Let me take a moment and say the following: rofl at Alabama. If you watch football, sportscenter or any highlight clip, you'll know what I mean. Rosholt in black and we're with Tagnoni again. Harris is a jacked 244. They trade leather and Rosholt lands a good one in that flurry. Right from Harris. Harris with a 4-piece combo that doesn't land clean, but Harris drops him with a big punch! Rosholt steps back up and is Sharkeisha'd again! Rosholt seems to have recovered, or at least hides it well. Harris is being patient here. Right from Rosholt glances off the chin. Harris misses a huge swing.
10-9 Harris
Round two: The replay shows that the first time Rosholt got dropped wasn't even a punch, but a clothesline. Left from Rosholt. Body kick, too. Another. Big left from Harris. Flurry from Harris, too. Right from Rosholt and a knee. Uppercut to the body from the Texan wrestler. Rights from both of the fellas. Left from Rosholt. Harris is slowing and dropping his hands some. Just as Anik commends the pace of these two heavy's, the pace slows down tremendously. Thanks, John. Rosholt misses a pair of high kicks. Rosholt isn't landing a lot, but he's pushing forward and controlling this round so far. One minute left. Harris isn't doing a damned thing here. Finally they trade. Left from Harris. Right from Rosholt.
10-9 Rosholt
Round three: They're mostly just staring at each other as almost nothing's happened for a minute. FINALLY Rosholt gets in on a takedown and he gets Harris down. Half guard. Some GNP here. Harris could've gotten into deep half, but he fought out of it, as he's clearly not that comfortable off his back. Harris gets a hip out and tries to escape, but can't. Rosholt staying busy on top. Good elbow from the wrestler. 70 seconds left and Harris seemingly has no hope to get up here. Americana attempt from Rosholt that Harris defends. 25 seconds. Good comeback win for Rosholt against an opponent who seemingly gave away the second two rounds with inactivity and not stopping the takedown.
10-9 Rosholt
Final result: Jared Rosholt wins via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
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Round one: Spencer in black, Dober in gray? Brown? Brownish-gray it is. Yves Lavigne the third man. Spencer starts out aggressive. Spencer lands some clean punches. Dober misses a head kick. Dober blasts a double into the fence, but Spencer defends well. They break and swing - both land some flush, but it looks like Spencer lands cleaner. Another shot from Dober and another stuff. Dober keeps fighting for the single, but fails completely. Dober is swinging wildly while Spencer is landing rights. Dober with a body kick. Spencer with more rights. Another one to the chest. Right from Dober and a leg kick. Single-leg attempt here from Dober and it looks like he's going to go 0-fer on takedown attempts this round. Yup. Leg kick from Spencer.
10-9 Spencer
Round two: Spencer pumps a double jab and throws a hook. Dober with a single that he - again - fails on. Body right lands from Spencer. Pair of left kicks from Dober. Nice right standing elbow from Spencer. Spencer with a body lock and he presses Dober back. Spencer breaks and lands a nice straight left. Solid right thumps the face of Dober again. Dober ducks under perfectly on a double but can't finish! The ref separates and they're back to swinging. Another takedown, another stuff, this time with added elbow for emphasis. Superman punch from Dober. Knee to the body from Spencer. Spencer lands a lead left hook and a right a few seconds later. Inside leg kick lands for Dober but he also eats an overhand for his troubles.
10-9 Spencer
Round three: Dober with a couple lefts here. They are trading and for the first time tonight, Dober has landed clean a few times running. Dober can't get the takedown, though, and Spencer's mouthpiece flops out. Knee and a left from Spencer backs up Dober. Dober eats a jab and a right. Failed takedown again from Dober. Spencer continues to land. Single-leg again and a fail again. Credit to Dober for not dropping, but he's been a punching bag the entire night. No, Kenny, this hasn't been a great fight. This has been a demolition. Spencer with a flying knee as Dober went for a shot and he finally looks wobbly. Another one lands. Dober is just getting mashed with elbows and punches here. Another sprawl off a shot to end the fight.
10-9 Spencer. Might even be a 10-8
Final result: Sean Spencer wins via decision (unanimous) 30-27 x3
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TUF 18 FINALE FOX SPORTS 1 UNDER CARD "PRELIMS" PLAY-BY-PLAY ON FACEBOOK RESULTS:
Ryan Benoit vs. Joshua Sampo
Round one: Benoit in red, Sampo in black. For the record, it's pronounced "ben-oyt". Chris Tagnoni the ref. Uppercut from Benoit to start it up. Right from Sampo. Benoit has a shot stuffed. Sampo kind of jump checks a leg kick and lands a right that wobbles Benoit. Sampo follows and stumbles Benoit to the ground. Sampo in half guard and he's landing short elbows while fishing for a Kimura. Nice punch from Sampo, but he gets high and Benoit reverses out and ends up on top. Rubber guard from Sampo here and he threatens a triangle and an omoplata. Benoit defends and they stall out with neither fighter doing anything. The ref stands them with a little under 2 minutes to go. They keep throwing small combos and landing here and there. I missed exactly what shot did it, but Benoit's bleeding bad from his nose.
10-9 Sampo
Round two: Right from Benoit opens up the action. Sampo with a shoot and wraps up a single leg. Side control here and Sampo is going hard on a Kimura. Benoit defends well and Sampo mounts. Benoit pushes off the cage and reverses out of mount and he's on top. Sampo rolls, and Benoit manages to stay on the back. He's going after the rear naked, but Sampo defends. Mount for a but and back to the RNC. Mount again and a couple good punches. Sampo reverses and he's now in full guard. GNP from Sampo as he passes to half. Americana position now. Mount for Sampo and he gives up on the shoulder lock. Arm triangle position here, but Sampo elects for punches. Brief armbar position, but back to mount. Benoit tries to roll but gives up his back. Sampo latches in a rear-naked and he's about close to finishing... yup, he holds onto his grip and gets the tap.
Final result: Joshua Sampo wins via submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:31 of round 2
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