The Ronda Rousey Show, aka The Ultimate Fighter season 18 is coming to an end. The UFC’s poster child was on full display throughout the season. Rousey‘s bitter rival and fellow coach Miesha Tate played a distant second fiddle to her presence in the TUF house and on screen.
Those two will settle their differences at UFC 168 in Las Vegas on Dec. 28. For now it is time for the group of youngsters Rousey and Tate mentored to scrap under the TUF label one last time.
Davey Grant and Chris Holdsworth will battle to decide the men’s winner, and Julianna Pena will take on Jessica Rakoczy to determine the women’s champion.
Once the up-and-comers are done, two veteran lightweights will finish the show with the third battle in their rivalry. The first bout was an exhibition that didn’t count toward either man’s record. Diaz won that meeting by submission. The second took place in 2010 at UFC Fight Night 20 and Maynard won a split decision.
Neither man has much of a chance to beat Anthony Pettis, the reigning lightweight champion, but Diaz and Maynard are two tough guys whose fighting styles have made them fan favorites. Here’s a look at the full card along with viewing information.
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Historic Women’s Bout
In another example of women’s fighting being indoctrinated into UFC culture, Pena and Rakoczy are set to battle to determine who will be known as the first-ever female Ultimate Fighter. Once this one is done and one of the women reigns supreme, you can file this event just after Rousey‘s monumental debut with Liz Carmouche in February on the milestones list.
In a short period of time, women’s MMA has become a major deal in the sport, and Rousey has had a hand in every step taken.
Is Another Star About to Be Born?
Holdsworth hails from Team Alpha Male, the same camp that produced TUF 14 runner-up TJ Dillashaw. He’s shown a marvelously well-rounded game throughout the show and he’s finished every opponent.
Grant has been almost as impressive, though most prognosticators seem to favor Holdsworth. Both fighters are excellent submission fighters. In an all or nothing final, you can bet these two bantamweights will attempt to lean heavily on their strengths. That means this one is destined to go to the ground.
Of the two, Holdsworth looks to have the most potential, but this is just one fight. We all thought Uriah Hall was on his way to victory in last season’s finale, but Kevin Gastelum had other ideas. Can Grant pull off a similar upset?
Rough and Rugged Main Event
Maynard has just one win in his last four fights and Diaz is on a two-fight losing streak. Because of their losing ways and personal rivalry, there should be a real sense of urgency in this fight for both men.
Neither Maynard or Diaz are the type of fighters their opponents have to come looking for. Diaz has excellent boxing skills to balance his stellar submission game. His four-inch height advantage could give him a big edge in stand-up.
Maynard is a physically strong scrambler who can overwhelm opponents with his pace and activity. He must get inside to be effective, but Diaz is tricky. As Maynard found out at TUF 5, Diaz can slap a submission on in an instant.
Though the stakes aren’t high in a tangible sense, or as it relates to title contention, Diaz and Maynard should still put on an entertaining show.
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