UFC Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 16 Finale results and LIVE fight coverage for 'Nelson vs Mitrione' on Dec. 15 in Las Vegas

It's fight night ... again!

Just 24 hours removed from UFC on FX 6 in Australia, Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is back at it again TONIGHT (Dec. 15, 2012) with its latest The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) fight card, which will take place at "The Joint" inside the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.

MMAmania.com will provide LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of TUF 16 Finale main card action this evening below, which is slated to air at 9 p.m. ET on FX. The latest quick updates of the live mixed martial arts (MMA) action will begin to flow earlier than that around 6 p.m. ET with the "Prelims" bouts on Facebook/FUEL TV.

TUF 16 Finale will be headlined by Heavyweight coach, Roy Nelson, taking on late replacement Matt Mitrione rather than opposing coach, Shane Carwin, because the "Engineer" was forced off the card with (another) injury). Welterweight finalists from the show, Mike Ricci and Colton Smith, will also sling leather for the season crown and a "six-figure" Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) contract.

In other FX-televised main card action, Pat Barry will hook 'em up with Shane Del Rosario in another Heavyweight attraction, while Lightweight veterans Melvin Guillard and Jamie Varner collide in a 155-pound showdown.

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 six) 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 "Nelson vs. Mitrione."

Without further delay, see below for the latest TUF 16 Finale: "Nelson vs. Mitrione" results. (Note: This will go from the bottom up; therefore, scroll toward the bottom for the latest detailed round-by-round action.)

TUF 16 FINALE QUICK RESULTS:

265 lbs.: Roy Nelson vs. Matt Mitrione - Nelson wins via TKO (punches) (2:58 rd 1)
170 lbs.: Mike Ricci vs. Colton Smith (TUF 16 tournament final) - Smith wins via UD (30-27 x2, 30-26)
265 lbs.: Pat Barry vs. Shane Del Rosario - Barry wins via KO (punch) (0:26 rd 2)
155 lbs.: Melvin Guillard vs. Jamie Varner - CANCELLED. Varner took ill and the NSAC ended it.
145 lbs.: Jonathan Brookins vs. Dustin Poirier - Poirier wins via submisison (D'Arce choke) (4:15 rd 1)
170 lbs.: James Head vs. Mike Pyle - Pyle wins via TKO (knee and punches) (1:55 rd 1)
135 lbs.: Johnny Bedford vs. Marcos Vinicius - Bedford wins via TKO (strikes) (1:00 rd 2)
155 lbs.: Rustam Khabilov vs. Vinc Pichel - Khabilov wins via KO (slam and punches) (2:15 rd 1)
170 lbs.: Nick Catone vs. T.J. Waldburger - Waldburger wins via technical submission (triangle) (1:04 rd 2)
135 lbs.: Reuben Duran vs. Hugo Viana - Viana wins via KO (punch) (4:05 rd 1)
155 lbs.: John Cofer vs. Mike Rio - Rio wins via Submission (armbar) (4:11 rd 3)
135 lbs.: Tim Elliott vs. Jared Papazian - Elliott wins via UD (30-25 x2, 30-26)

TUF 16 FINALE PLAY-BY-PLAY LIVE MAIN CARD COMMENTARY (FX):
Hemmi here!

Roy Nelson vs. Matt Mitrione

Round one: Mitrione grabs the cage center and Nelson throws an overhand right but it comes up short. Nelson missing by a mile early with his strikes. Big kick from Mitrione and Nelson closes the distance with a clinch, pressing Mitrione into the fence. Nelson is working for a trip takedown but Mitrione fends him off for now and takes inside position. Knee to the body from Mitrione and an elbow on the exit. Another kick from Mitrione and both men trade punches. Nelson steps inside and lands a left hand and Mitrione responds with good punches and a heavy kick. Nelson blasts Mitrione and hurts him with an uppercut. Left hand from Nelson, then a right and Mitrione goes down! Nelson swarms Mitrione and unloads with huge right hands and the ref intervenes. It's over!

Final result: Roy Nelson defeats Matt Mitrione via TKO at 2:58 of round one

-end-

Mike Ricci vs. Colton Smith (TUF 16 tournament final)

Round one: Ricci throws a kick and Smith shoots in for a takedown but he passes under the Canadian. Ricci drops heavy elbows on Smith but Smith works back to his feet and pressures forward with a clinch. Smith grabs a body lock and presses forward, working for a takedown and he gets it briefly but can't keep him down. Smith has one hook in standing but Ricci has his back against the fence to keep him from getting both in. Ricci tries to roll him off and Smith gets both hooks in and now they're on the ground. Smith is trying to work from the back but Ricci escapes and briefly reverses the position before getting back to his feet and resetting. Smith attacks with a body lock in the clinch and he tosses Ricci to the ground, staying there until the end of the round. 10-9 Smith

Round two: Low blow from Smith early and the ref doesn't call it, forcing Ricci to defend against Smith's takedowns. Smith attacks against the fence in the clinch and drags Ricci to the ground. Smith drops a few punches but Ricci pops back to his feet, although Smith is all over his back. Smith attacks with both hooks in and he tries to lock in a rear naked choke but Ricci escapes out the back door. Smith remains plastered to Ricci and he again drags Ricci to the ground, taking his back with both hooks in but he can't sink the choke in under the chin. Smith rides out the round from back control. 10-9 Smith

Round three: Smith closes the distance quickly and takes Ricci down, gaining back control in the first minute. Smith attacks briefly with an arm triangle but gives up on it and goes back to punching away from mount and then back mount. Ricci has no answer other than not getting submitted. Ricci finally escapes the position with just one minute left in the fight and Smith turtles. Ricci puts his hooks in and is working for a choke but Smith shakes him off. Ricci transitions to an armbar but can't lock it in and Smith takes his back again in the final 15 seconds. 10-9 Smith

Final result: Colton Smith defeats Mike Ricci via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)

-end-

Pat Barry vs. Shane Del Rosario

Round one: Big body kick from Del Rosario but Barry responds with a huge inside leg kick. Another low kick from Barry and Del Rosario clinches, throwing a short knee and then another. Del Rosario presses Barry against the fence and attempts a takedown but Barry sprawls and gets back to his feet. Barry wraps up Del Rosario's neck and reverses the position but Del Rosario avoids danger and returns to the inside, throwing knees to the legs and body. Barry forces a separation with a right hand and Del Rosario fires back with a leg kick. Del Rosario shoots in for a takedown and Barry stuffs it initially but Barry turtles in the scramble and nearly gives up his back. Del Rosario doesn't have any hooks in but he's working for a choke. Del Rosario gets his hooks in but he's really high up and Barry escapes out the back door but leaves his arm exposed and Del Rosario attacks it. Del Rosario works with an omaplata and now he's got Barry's back again. Del Rosario works for an arm but Barry avoids it and winds up on top in the final 20 seconds. 10-9 Del Rosario

Round two: Big left hook from Barry rocks Del Rosario, another left knocks him back against the fence. Barry swarms and throws a huge right hand that clips Del Rosario against the fence and then a MASSIVE shot puts Del Rosario to sleep on the spot. Wow that was nasty!

Final result: Pat Barry defeats Shane Del Rosario via knockout at 0:26 of round two

-end-

Melvin Guillard vs. Jamie Varner

Jamie Varner was throwing up backstage, and Keith Kizer with the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) has cancelled the fight.

-end-

Jonathan Brookins vs. Dustin Poirier

Round one: Leg kick from Poirier and he's head hunting with his hooks. Brookins lands a big shot to the body and then nails Poirier with a big right hand. Both men throw down with a huge exchange of blows and Brookins gets the better of it, rocking Poirier. Poirier clinches to clear the cobwebs and both men throw down but Brookins again gets the better of the punches on the feet. Poirier steps inside and closes the distance with a clinch but backs off and lands a short rigth hand. Leg kick from Poirier and a right hook but Brookins responds by pressing him into the cage. Poirier throws a solid knee and backs Brookins off with some heavy hooks. Big shots from Poirier and Brookins is keeping his head straight up which could get him in trouble. Big left hand from Poirier drops Brookins but he pops to his feet quickly. Poirier pours it on and lands some heavy shots which hurt Brookins. Brookins ducks down and Poirier wraps his neck up in a D'Arce choke and it's tight, Brookins taps!

Final result: Dustin Poirier defeats Jonathan Brookins via submission (D'Arce choke) at 4:15 of round one

-end-

TUF 16 FINALE PLAY-BY-PLAY LIVE "PRELIMS" UNDER CARD COMMENTARY (FUEL TV):
Braiterman here!

James Head vs. Mike Pyle

Round one: Head lands the first significant shot about 50 seconds in and backs Pyle into the cage. He grabs a Thai plumm and gets in some nice knees, although Pyle blocked most of the damage. They break and Pyle reverses the plum and lands a badonkas huge knee directly to the face that puts Head on his butt. Pyle swarms with punches and finally Mazzagatti stops it.

Final result: Mike Pyle wins via TKO (knee and punches) at 1:55 of round 1

-end-

Johnny Bedford vs. Marcos Vinicius

Round one: Vinicius in the white and mini-Fitch in black. Bedford opens it up with some swings that backs Vinicius into the cage, but he circles out without taking much damage. Vinicius misses a kick and Bedford slams him down, but directly into a guillotine. Vinicius lets it go and Bedford spins him into the cage. Some GNP from Bedford as he struggles with position from Vinicius. Vinny threatens another guillotine, but again lets it go. Bedford trying to pass and find an angle to posture up, but he's unable to solve the guard of Vinicius and he stands up and backs away. They circle and fire away on each other, but neither lands anything heavy. Jab for Bedford and another. Vinicius went for an overhand right that Bedford slipped and he dropped Vinicius with a short punch. Bedford swarming and gets him in side control. Vinicius gets to guard, but Bedford passes. Vinicius gets standing with 30 seconds left and eats a big knee for his troubles. 10-9 Bedford.

Round two: Not a whole lot of action before Bedford eats a push kick to the ding dongs and we get a Thai cup/Diamond MMA shpiel from Joe Rogan. Vinicius misses a spinning wheel kick and gets backed into the cage by Bedford. He lands a huge right punch that drops the Brazilian. There was a kick that briefly looked illegal at first glance, but it landed cleanly on the ribs. Bedford swarms and it's all over.

Final result: Johnny Bedford wins via TKO (strikes) at 1:00 of round 2

-end-

Rustam Khabilov vs. Vinc Pichel

Round one: For the record, I have "Khabilov" saved to my clipboard for copy/pasting ease. Khabilov swings in and gets a single. After struggling for a bit in the clinch, he gets it and lands in half guard. Pichel stands up but gives up his back and gets POWER German suplexed for his troubles. And another HUGE suplex. Pichel stands, and Khabilov trips Pichel down. He lands some GNP and hits a third enormous suplex that KO's Pichel. Khabilov with some ground punches that probably weren't even needed.

Final result: Rustam Khabilov wins via KO (slam and punches) at 2:15 of round 1

-end-

Nick Catone vs. T.J. Waldburger

Round one: Well that was a long break and my can of beer is drained. The Hard Rock is still looking a bit sparse, but is starting to fill in. TJ in black spandex and Catone in White. Herb Dean reffing us. Catone takes center cage. They clinch and while Catone briefly hits a switch, tossing TJ, they go back to standing. TJ shoots a long double that gets stuffed and Catone gets him in a front headlock. TJ tries to get Catone down, but Catone spins and lands on top. TJ gets back up with no damage absorbed. TJ working for a single against the cage, Catone reverses and flips him over. Catone in half guard and hits a little GNP. Catone stands and TJ pushes him off. They stand, but Catone works TJ back into the cage. Catone on the side/back of TJ. TJ threatens a Kimura and pulls guard. Catone defends. 1:11 left in the round and Catone stands. He drops down with a huge punch onto the prone Waldburger. Great little scramble as TJ hits a takedown, but the former standout wrestler Catone hits a nice switch and ends the round on top. 10-9 Catone.

Round two: Catone starts with a high kick, but TJ fires back with a punch that staggers and drops Catone. Catone scrambles, but lands in a guillotine from the submission expert. Catone transitions into a triangle, and Catone refuses to tap. Waldburger lands some vicious elbows that combined with the choke, puts out the lights on Catone.

Final result: TJ Waldburger wins via technical choke (Triangle) at 1:04 of round 2

-end-

TUF 16 FINALE PLAY-BY-PLAY LIVE "PRELIMS" UNDER CARD COMMENTARY (FACEBOOK):
Braiterman here!

Reuben Duran vs. Hugo Viana

Round one: Duran in the black shorts and Viana in the Brazilian colored trunks. Mazzagatti overseeing the affair. Duran whiffing on some feeling strikes early. Viana with a good punch. Duran is shadowboxing and Viana rewards him by dropping him with a huge left. He's unable to finish and they re-engage. Viana with an overhand right that stumbles Duran. Duran gets macho and tells Viana to hit him. They clinch with Duran squeezing double underhooks. Viana reverses him and eventually they break. Duran hasn't landed anything standing so far that I can recall. Riddle-esque is his standup, Joe. HUGE leaping right from Viana floors Duran AGAIN and once more, Duran fights back. Ridiculous power right hand from Viana KTFO's Duran and Mazzagatti steps in this time. Good stoppage, too - Duran had a thousand yard stare going.

Final result: Hugo Viana wins via KO (punch) at 4:05 of round 1.

-end-

John Cofer vs. Mike Rio

Round one: Cofer is walking in and... this place is empty. Just tons and tons of empty seats. Honestly I'm just happy I don't have to remember that Elliott spells his name with two T's every time. Typo's galore. Mike Rio has upped the looks level with Meisha Tate in his corner (or some good looking girl anyway). Kim Winslow the 3rd person in the cage. Rio in red and Cofer in black. Rio, aka Patrick Cote Mini Me, gets hit with a nice kick and a right before attempting a takedown that gets stuffed as Cofer runs in. Rio backing Cofer into the cage, but not doing anything with it. Crickets from the sparse audience. They break with 90 seconds gone in the round. Right leg kick for Rio and a left thrown in for good measure. Cofer lands two solid punches and rushes in on a wobbly Rio. Rio grasps him and backs him into the cage while he clears the cobwebs. Rio tries a... half whizzer (?) and jabs Cofer on the break.

Cofer with a straight left that has Rio shooting again. Rio lands a single this time, dragging Cofer down. Cofer with an elbow from the bottom and Rio responds with a little GNP. Cofer threatens a leg lock and uses it to reverse Rio and gets on top. Full guard now and Rio lands a good elbow from bottom. Occasional ground shots from Cofer and the round ends with Rio attacking Cofer's leg. I'll say 10-9 Cofer.

Round two: Body kick form Cofer. They stand and wang and Cofer wins that exchange. Another left from Cofer and Rio gets a big slam. Cofer threatens with an omoplata that has Rio standing over him. Rio does nothing and Winslow stands them up. Cofer lands a 1-2, but eats a... half uppercut, half hook. Jab for Rio and a right low kick. Rio tries for an outside hip toss, but doesn't land it and Cofer backs him up against the cage. Good knee for Cofer and they back up. Rio shoots a single, but Cofer stuffs it for a second before Rio finishes it. He lands in mount and starts throwing punches. Cofer stands up with Rio on his back. Cofer shrugs him off to his left side and throws him down. Rio on top in full guard. Winslow repeatedly warning someone about "watching the eyes". Rio with a right underhook and uses it to escape to standing. They clinch and Rio lands a nice knee to the body at the bell. Close round, maybe a 10-10, but really I'd say 10-9 Cofer, although Rio's corner tells him he won it.

Round three: Another left for Cofer, and it's been landing solid all fight. A body kick from Cofer gets caught, but he slips his leg out before Rio can drag him down. It's for naught, as about 10 seconds later, Rio gets the takedown. Cofer is working from the bottom to get up, but Rio is controlling him. They roll, and Rio is in side control, hitting sparse GNP. Body elbows from Rio in side control. Rio trying to get an Americana, but he wasn't in position to finish it. Rio rolls for an armbar and nearly gets it. Cofer stacks him, but Rio is tenacious on the arm and slips out. Cofer on top now in guard with 1:40 left. No offense, Rogan, but I think I'll take Nova Uniao over Team Alpha Male at the moment. Rio goes for another armbar with a minute left and this one is much tighter. Rio squeezes and gets the tap with 49 seconds left. Big comeback for Rio!

Final result: Mike Rio wins via Submission (armbar) at 4:11 of round 3

-end-

Tim Elliott vs. Jared Papazian

Round one: And we aaaaaaare live. Papazian in the red trunks gets taken down in the first five seconds. Elliott fails on a guillotine and they're back to standing. Papazian with a headkick, but gets taken down for his troubles. Papazian fights off another guillotine attempt and gets Elliott back to full guard. Now half guard, now side control. Papazian reverses and is on top now in half guard. Another guillotine attempt for Elliott that fails. They scramble and Elliott gets leveled with a knee while he was down. The ref stops the action and Elliott is stanky legging. Replay shows that Elliott was flat on his butt. It looks like this fight may be over. Doc confers with the ref... they're trying to give Elliott some time to recover.

Wow, they're letting this fight continue. Elliott hits a nice right, then 15 seconds later drops him and gets on top. Papazian gets quarter guard. Elliott still on top and raining down ground and pound. Papazian backs him off the cage with a knee and a right. Elliott whiffs badly, shoots and gets stuffed. Papazian backs him into the cage and they stall. Elliott landing short lefts with his back against the cage. the round ends as Papazian goes for a jumping roundhouse kick while Elliott goes for a low single, causing the kick to whiff. No clue how to score this round. I think 10-9 Elliott.

Round two: Rogan and Goldie spend a minute yakking about Papazian's teammate, Ronda Rousey, who's cageside and cheering him on. They mention that Carmouche is also openly gay and a night of firsts. Back to action, Elliott hits another nice takedown, gets on top and GNP's some. They stand as Elliott fails on the 'Tine again. Uppercut from Papazian and a takedown from Elliott. Papazian is leakin' badly, despite winning the standup exchanges for the most part. Jumping knee for Papazian. Left headkick for Papazian. Elliott shoots for a takedown and gets stuffed finally. Ten seconds left in the round and Elliott hits a takedown and gets some solid right elbows before the bell sounds. Better round for Elliott, in that he didn't get exploded by possibly illegal shots. 20-18 Elliott

Round three: Elliott gets a takedown, but slips and Papazian reverses him. Papazian on top in half guard, and Elliott is holding onto Papazian's ankle to prevent any advancement. Papazian lands some backwards punches, but nothing really significant and the ref breaks them up. Elliott lands a big left and drops Papazian. Elliott in mount and landing about 40 unanswered ground shots. Make that 70? Papazian gives up his back and continues throwing volume GNP. RNC attempt for Elliott, and Papazian gives up mount to escape. Papazian is bleeding like a stuck pig. Elliott on his back with another RNC attempt. Back to mount. Papazian finally escapes and eats a huge left elbow for his cage. Elliott hits another takedown in less than five seconds. Elliott on the back. Lots of light GNP. Papazian tries to roll, no dice. The round ends with Elliott punching him repeatedly. They get up awkwardly and Papazian takes umbrage and walks towards Elliott with some anger, but the ref shoves them apart. 10-8 round if you ask me. 30-26 overall if you ask me.

Final result: Tim Elliott wins via Unanimous Decision (30-25, 30-25, 30-26).

-end-