For the first time since the fifth season of the show, coaches of The Ultimate Fighter met at the show’s Finale. Middleweights Michael Bisping and Jason “Mayhem” Miller headlined the card.
Bisping, a former TUF winner himself, looked to step toward a title shot and score his fourth straight victory.
The fight marked the UFC return of Miller. Since dropping a fight to current welterweight champ Georges St-Pierre at UFC 52, Miller has fought all over the globe, most recently with Strikeforce and DREAM.
Miller opened with a kick and followed with a flurry. Bisping initiated the clinch against the cage. Miller moved to the Muay Thai clinch, but Bisping pushed away. A right hand from Miller just missed the mark. A second right hand landed. Miller used a short left hand to setup a takedown. Miller worked to mount Bisping along the cage. Bisping tried to just tie up Miller. Miller connected with punches from the top. Bisping scrambled to his feet. Miller connected with an outside leg kick. A right hand from Bisping landed, but Miller answered with a hook as the round ended.
The pair exchanged to start the second round. Miller’s takedown attempt was stuffed by Bisping. Blood poured from the nose of Miller. Miller worked hard for a single leg takedown against the fence. Bisping reversed the position. A head kick attempt from Bisping was blocked. The fighters clipped heads and forced a brief stop to the action. Miller ducked under a right hand to shoot, but Bisping moved away. Bisping landed a knee to the body. Bisping threw an illegal head kick toward Miller’s head while he was on the mat, but it failed to connect. Bisping teed off on Miller along the cage. Bisping unloaded with knees and strikes to the body. Bisping ended the round dropping punches from the top at the end of the round.
Miller barreled forward to start the third frame. Miller tried for a takedown, but Bisping pushed him away again. Bisping backed Miller against the cage and scored with a series of punches. Bisping proclaimed he was poked in the eye and the fight again was paused. Miller shot for a single leg and Bisping sprawled. Bisping moved to Miller’s back and delivered punches and knees. Miller rolled for a leg lock, but Bisping escaped and moved into the guard. Bisping rained punches from top. Miller covered up and Steve Mazzagatti moved in to stop the bout.
Both fighters were exhausted at the end of the fight. “I feel like Jason and I put on a great season of The Ultimate Fighter and I’m here to entertain,” Bisping stated. When Joe Rogan proposed a fight with champion Anderson Silva, Bisping was quick to recognize that his performance wouldn’t have cut it against the Brazilian.
Miller was apologetic for getting tired in the fight, but praised his opponent.
Official Result: Michael Bisping def. Jason “Mayhem” Miller by TKO (punches and knees). Round 3, 3:34
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Rob Tatum is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report MMA. You can also find Rob’s work at TheMMACorner.com. For anything related to MMA, you can follow Rob on Twitter @RobTatumMMA.