TUF 25 Finale: Jared Cannonier abuses, finishes super game Nick Roehrick late

Light Heavyweight hopefuls Jared Cannonier and Nick Roehrick faced off at The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 25: “Redemption” Finale tonight (July 7, 2017) inside T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, airing live on FOX Sports 1.

Roehrick came into the fight on just three days notice, undefeated on the regional scene, with this his UFC debut. Meanwhile, Cannonier was looking to bounce back from a loss to Glover Texeira since moving down to 205 pounds. He did that in stylish fashion, ending Roehrick with the prettiest finishing sequence you could wish for.

Roehrick opened up with a double jab, looking to establish a rhythm against Cannonier. He stepped in with a hook to right overhand and Cannonier intercepted him with a nice right hook. Cannonier pushed Roehrick to the cage and unloaded three sharp shots. A moment later he connected with a solid combination again. Nick Roehrick showed impressive durability to shrug those shots off. Roehrick attempted that long overhand again and once again Cannonier intercepted him with a right hand. Cannonier pushed forward and connected, avoiding the return shots Nick threw at him. Roehrick attempted a jab. His corner told him they wanted him to shoot a takedown eventually. Cannonier showed great head movement to avoid a double jab, but Roehrick shot in and pinned Cannonier to the fence. Jared reversed and pushed off to regain the center of the Octagon. They traded jabs as the round ended.

Cannonier slipped a jab and landed a leg kick to open the second round. He looked considerably slicker with his striking, and the confidence was showing as he connected with shots. Roehrick got his back off the fence and connected with a jab, but a moment later Cannonier hit a nice right overhand. Roehrick doubled up on a jab and connected. He was clearly game, despite getting hit with several nice shots. Cannonier hit a gorgeous right straight, slipped inside to a bodylock, and took Roehrick down, landing ground and pound against the cage. As Roehrick got up, Cannonier teed off, but Roehrick escaped and ran to the center of the cage. Cannonier stayed patient, snapping Roehrick’s head back with jabs. Roehrick threw back, attempting a hook, several jabs and a right hand that connected. Cannonier walked in, hands high, and folded his elbow over the top into Roehrick’s face. They traded hooks. Cannonier threw a body kick just before the horn sounded.

Cannonier landed a leg kick, then threw a high kick to open the third round. Roehrick backed him up with a combination that fell short. They traded jabs. Cannonier stalked Roehrick, who threw a body kick. They traded hooks again. Cannonier landed an elbow from the Muay Thai plum. Cannonier threw up a front kick that Roehrick ducked into! Cannonier moved in for the kill, landing a knee in the clinch, then a hard right elbow. Roehrick ducked into Jared’s hips, but Cannonier reversed and took the rocked Roehrick down, elbowing him in the face until the referee stepped in! Third round technical knockout for Cannonier — Finally!

Cannonier was wearing sunglasses in the cage for his interview with Brian Stann. He gives Roehrick his dues for being tough, then thanks God with a little Hebrew thrown in. He says anyone out there that wants to feel his right hand, to come and get it. In terms of a future opponent, he claims he doesn’t discriminate, and says they can all get it. He says he wants to welcome Gokhan Saki to the Octagon- “Imma throw these hands”. That would be a great matchup for Saki- I hope the UFC heeds Cannonier’s wishes.

Final result: Jared Cannonier def. Nick Roehrick via TKO (2:08 of round 3)

For full TUF 25 Finale results and play-by-play click here