Author: Andrew Brining

Kyle Kingsbury is a physical specimen to be sure, but—as is so often the case in MMA—lots of ripped muscles don’t always equal victory.

Kingsbu starts the second round by moving the fight to the ground, but he can’t do much there as Maldonado scratches his way to his feet. Once there, he eats a head kick from the American before going back to work on Kingsbury’s midsection.

Kyle keeps a hold of his Muay Thai plum and uses it to deliver more knees, some of which were blocked and some of which sneaked through the Brazilian’s defense. Once Kyle has kneed himself out for the moment, Fabio stings the body with more of those snapping body shots.

But Kingsbu is having a better round in the second as he kicks Maldonado’s leg out from underneath him. The action has slowed as both men look a little fatigue and blood starts flowing from Maldonado’s mouth/nose.

He still seems like the fresher fighter, however, and keeps blasting away at Kyle’s gut. The American has slowed waaay down, but scores with a body kick and a straight right as the final seconds tick off the clock. I’d call that 10-9 for Kyle Kingsbury.

The Ultimate Fighter 13 Finale doesn’t have much buzz surrounding it because its centerpiece—the culminating bout between coaches Brock Lesnar and Junior “Cigano” dos Santos—had to be scrapped due to Lesnar’s ongoing struggle with diverticulitis.

Additionally, the marquee non-castmate bout between Anthony “Showtime” Pettis and Clay “The Carpenter” Guida has caught the casual mixed martial arts fanbase sleeping.

Guida’s a known commodity and a fan favorite, but Showtime isn’t as familiar to the masses due to his time in the purgatory of the WEC. Of course, that Matrix kick of the fence against Ben “Smooth” Henderson increased his radar profile substantially.

But it’s still not quite large enough to carry a card, even a smaller one like the TUF finale.

Don’t expect that to be the case for long—Showtime is the real deal and, if he can turn back Guida, expect him to immediately insert himself into the discussion for top contenders at 155 pounds.

And don’t forget about the battle for the contract.

Tony “El Cucuy” Ferguson and Ramsey Nijem were the best and most well-rounded warriors throughout Season 13. What’s more, Ferguson caused a bit of bad blood in the house with his drunken verbal attack on Charlie Rader.

In other words, we’ve got two supreme athletes with a guaranteed spot in the UFC and a grudge on the line.

Should be good so stick with Bleacher Report as we bring the action, live from the Palms Casino Resort.

 

 

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