Team Roy Nelson came, saw and conquered at The Ultimate Fighter Season 16 finale.
The beloved potbellied heavyweight continued his climb back up the ladder with a highlight-reel first-round knockout over Matt Mitrione in Saturday night’s headliner.
Nelson isn’t the biggest or most athletic heavyweight in the world, but he once again proved that he has the chin and knockout power to stand and exchange with anyone in the pocket.
The win was Nelson’s second straight since getting trounced earlier in the year by top heavyweight contender Fabricio Werdum.
In the co-main event, Colton Smith, Nelson’s fourth pick on TUF, routed Mike Ricci to become the Season 16 winner. It was an all-out grappling affair for Smith, who utilized his superior wrestling and positioning to coast to a lopsided unanimous decision.
There was plenty to take away from the TUF 16 finale. The event featured exciting fights and memorable finishes. Fans were able to see the resurgence of UFC veterans and the emergence of newcomers.
The mantra in MMA is that a fighter is only as good as his last fight. Here is the latest stock report from the TUF 16 finale.