‘The Ultimate Fighter’ (TUF) season 24 finale emanated from the Palms Resort Casino tonight (Saturday, December 3, 2016). The headliner saw Demetrious Johnson try for his ninth straight title defense against the winner of the TUF Tournament of Champions, UFC veteran Tim Elliott. The fight was more difficult for the champion than expected. Elliott took
‘The Ultimate Fighter’ (TUF) season 24 finale emanated from the Palms Resort Casino tonight (Saturday, December 3, 2016). The headliner saw Demetrious Johnson try for his ninth straight title defense against the winner of the TUF Tournament of Champions, UFC veteran Tim Elliott.
The fight was more difficult for the champion than expected.
Elliott took round one from the champion and threatened with power punches and submissions throughout. He refused to go away despite tight rear-naked choke and kimura attempts. But Johnson’s superior scrambling and volume carried him on the judges’ scorecards. It was his most competitive fight in years.
The co-main event featured another flyweight clash, this time between former title challengers and opposing TUF coaches. Two-time challenger Joseph Benavidez took on former Olympic gold medalist Henry Cejudo, fresh off his title loss to Johnson. Benavidez pulled out a controversial unanimous decision victory, aided by a point deduction against Cejudo for two groin strikes in round one. Cejudo had much more success on the feet than most expected and prevented the Team Elevation standout from implementing his patented scramble-heavy game. But Benavidez pulled it out with combinations down the stretch in a very close fight.
Check out Twitter’s reaction to these two action-packed bouts below:
If Tim Elliott fought DJ ten times, how many times would he win? #TUFFinale
Congrats to both fighters! DJ fighting anyone the UFC throws at him and Tim for showing up on the biggest fight of his life #TUFFinale ????????????????
Liked Benavidez in R2 and R3. But, reminds of Karo-Diego, not in terms of action, but the argumentative 30-26/29-28 scorecard split debate. https://t.co/x7KYzd5WbC
Last night’s (Sat., December 3, 2016) The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 24 Finale is in the record books from the Palms Resort Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, and UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson secured his ninth straight title defense over show finalist Tim Elliott in the main event. It wasn’t without its moments of adversity, however, as
Last night’s (Sat., December 3, 2016) The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 24 Finale is in the record books from the Palms Resort Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, and UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson secured his ninth straight title defense over show finalist Tim Elliott in the main event.
It wasn’t without its moments of adversity, however, as Elliott almost shocked the world with quite possibly the biggest upset in Octagon history when he had “Mighty Mouse” in a tight choke in the opening frame. Johnson showed why he is quite possibly the best mixed martial artist in the UFC when he brought out the heart of a champion to relentlessy ground Elliott and pass his guard with masterful ground work in rounds two through four.
TUF coaches and Nos. 1 and 2 flyweights Joseph Benavidez and Henry Cejudo met in a bad blood-motivated match-up that ended with controversy. The Olympic gold medalist wrestler Cejudo was able to nail the perennial title contender in the opening frame, but a low blow earned a point deduction from Yves Lavigne. That proved to be the difference in at least some way, with Benavidez taking home a thin split decision.
Not much hype surrounded it, but the TUF 24 Finale quietly delivered one of the most action-packed cards in some time, delivering several potential ‘Fight of the Night’ contenders. Watch the event’s post-fight press conference beginning shortly after the main card right here:
Tonight (Saturday December 3, 2016) UFC flyweight champion Demetrious ‘Mighty Mouse’ Johnson will make his Octagon return to defend his 125-pound title against Ultimate Fighter Season 24 (TUF 24) winner and former UFC veteran Tim Elliot in the main event of The Ultimate Fighter Season 24 Finale (TUF 24 Finale). Also in our co-main event
Tonight (Saturday December 3, 2016) UFC flyweight champion Demetrious ‘Mighty Mouse’ Johnson will make his Octagon return to defend his 125-pound title against Ultimate Fighter Season 24 (TUF 24) winner and former UFC veteran Tim Elliot in the main event of The Ultimate Fighter Season 24 Finale (TUF 24 Finale).
Also in our co-main event of the evening, this season’s coaches Henry Cejudo and Joseph Benavidez will clash for what could possibly be the next opportunity at the division’s title. Also on tonight’s card features a welterweight contest between UFC veterans Jake Ellenberger and Jorge Masvidal.
It all goes down on TUF 24 Finale live on FS1 from the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada tonight. You can check out the full fight card and start times here:
Main Card (FS1, 10 p.m. ET)
Flyweight title bout: (C) Demetrious Johnson vs. Tim Elliott
Flyweight: Joseph Benavidez vs. Henry Cejudo
Welterweight: Jake Ellenberger vs. Jorge Masvidal
Light heavyweight: Jared Cannonier vs. Ion Cutelaba
Women’s bantamweight: Alexis Davis vs. Sara McMann
Flyweight: Ryan Benoit vs. Brandon Moreno
Preliminary Card (FS1, 8 p.m. ET)
Featherweight: Ryan Hall vs. Gray Maynard
Bantamweight: Rob Font vs. Matt Schnell
Lightweight: Brendan O’Reilly vs. “Maestro” Dong Hyun Kim
Women’s strawweight: Kailin Curran vs. Jamie Moyle
Thankfully, everyone on the Ultimate Fighter 24 Finale card has made weight:
Prelims on UFC Fight Pass at 7:00 p.m. ET
Josh Stansbury (204.5) vs. Devin Clark (205.5)
Elvis Mutapcic (185) vs. Anthony Smith (185.5)
Prelims on FOX Sports 1 at 8:00 p.m. ET
Kailin Curran (116) vs. Jamie Moyle (115)
“Maestro” Dong Hyun Kim (155.5) vs. Brendan O’Reilly (155)
Rob Font (135.5) vs. Matt Schnell (135.5)
Gray Maynard (145.5) vs. Ryan Hall (145)
Main card (FOX Sports 1 at 10 p.m. ET)
Brandon Moreno (126) vs. Ryan Benoit (125.5)
Sara McMann (135.5) vs. Alexis Davis (134.75)
Ion Cutelaba (205.5) vs. Jared Cannonier (204)
Jake Ellenberger (170.25) vs. Jorge Masvidal (171)
Joseph Benavidez (125.5) vs. Henry Cejudo (125.5)
Demetrious Johnson (124.5) vs. Tim Elliott (125)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RFPqT4V2kI
Thankfully, everyone on the Ultimate Fighter 24 Finale card has made weight:
Prelims on UFC Fight Pass at 7:00 p.m. ET
Josh Stansbury (204.5) vs. Devin Clark (205.5)
Elvis Mutapcic (185) vs. Anthony Smith (185.5)
Prelims on FOX Sports 1 at 8:00 p.m. ET
Kailin Curran (116) vs. Jamie Moyle (115)
“Maestro” Dong Hyun Kim (155.5) vs. Brendan O’Reilly (155)
Rob Font (135.5) vs. Matt Schnell (135.5)
Gray Maynard (145.5) vs. Ryan Hall (145)
Main card (FOX Sports 1 at 10 p.m. ET)
Brandon Moreno (126) vs. Ryan Benoit (125.5)
Sara McMann (135.5) vs. Alexis Davis (134.75)
Ion Cutelaba (205.5) vs. Jared Cannonier (204)
Jake Ellenberger (170.25) vs. Jorge Masvidal (171)
Joseph Benavidez (125.5) vs. Henry Cejudo (125.5)
Demetrious Johnson (124.5) vs. Tim Elliott (125)
The UFC will roll on with their packed year-ending schedule with tomorrow night’s (Sat., December 3, 2016) The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 24: Tournament of Champion Finale from the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada. The show was a revolutionary one in that it was the first season of TUF to feature champions from other
The UFC will roll on with their packed year-ending schedule with tomorrow night’s (Sat., December 3, 2016) The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 24: Tournament of Champion Finale from the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The show was a revolutionary one in that it was the first season of TUF to feature champions from other regional MMA promotions, with the flyweights vying for an unprecedented title shot against champion Demetrious Johnson, who many rank as the top pound-for-pound fighter in MMA today. Veteran Tim Elliott won the show and will face ‘Mighty Mouse’ in one of the more lopsided title bouts in UFC history, at least on paper.
In the co-main, Johnson’s nearest competitors and show coaches Joseph Benavidez and Henry Cejudo will meet for what should be the next shot at the winner of ‘Mighty Mouse’ vs. Elliott, but with both having been brutally finished by the champ, it’s going to be difficult to consider them anything close to a real threat to the throne right now.
Find out whom we picked to win the pivotal bouts below:
Demetrious Johnson vs. Tim Elliott:
Mike Drahota:
“Mighty Mouse” comes into this bout as a massive -1207 favorite according to BigOnSports.com, and with eight straight title defenses, I’m not sure even that’s enough. Elliott has looked great on the show, but I can’t seem to shake the fact he was viciously finished by Benavidez, and we all know what happened the last time Joe B. faced Johnson. MMA math may scarcely add up, but in my opinion, “Mighty Mouse” is the most dominant fighter in MMA. I expect him to toy with Elliott on the feet before dropping him and securing another solid stoppage win. Demetrious Johnson by first round submission.
Rory Kernaghan:
While Elliott has proved himself to be dangerous and worthy of a place in the UFC in the past, I don’t see him posing any kind of threat this weekend. Taking on not only the reigning, defending and undisputed champion, Demetrious Johnson is the premier fighter on the globe right now. Make no mistake, ‘Mighty Mouse’ is only improving, and I’d be extremely surprised if this fight goes more than a round. In fact, I’m going all out, and calling a sub-minute win for ‘DJ.’ Let’s get it; Johnson puts away Elliott early with a dominant KO.
Mike Henken:
Elliott is a UFC veteran and he’s had a good run on TUF, but I simply don’t feel as if he belongs in the cage with Johnson, a man who’s arguably the best pound-for-pound fighter on the planet. I expect “Mighty Mouse” to be the more well rounded fighter here and I see the champion getting a finish. Johnson by third round submission.
Mandatory Credit: Joshua Dahl for USA TODAY Sports
Joseph Benavidez vs. Henry Cejudo:
Mike Drahota:
I obviously expect this fight to be a lot closer than the mismatched main event, and the odds, which favor Benavidez at -195 according to BigOnSports, agree. Both coaches have looked largely flawless outside of their meetings with “Mighty Mouse,” a testament to just how good the champ is. But this bout should provide little of the fireworks Johnson displays in finishing his opponents, and could turn into a flyweight chess match thanks to the accomplished wrestling and grappling games of both men. While Olympic gold medalist Cejudo’s striking is coming along, I think Benavidez’ greater body of work should propel him to a hard-fought win. Benavidez by unanimous decision.
Rory Kernaghan:
Another great battle for the TUF 24 Finale, and two fighters who would arguably be champions if it weren’t for ‘Mighty Mouse.’ Benavidez has been a standout in the lighter weight classes for years, but Cejudo is a thoroughbred athlete with Olympic standards and has transitioned very well into MMA. If Benavidez is able to catch his man with one of those wild power punches, it could well change the dynamic of this fight. Other than that, I see Cejudo winning every round. I’d like to think this will be an all-out war, but I’m predicting a smothering wrestling performance in Vegas. Cejudo by unanimous decision.
Mike Henken:
This is a very intriguing match-up between two of the best 125-pounders around. Cejudo is without question the best wrestler in the division given his Olympic pedigree and his striking has steadily improved, but I’ve always felt as if Benavidez was he best flyweight not named Demetrious Johnson. He’ll have to avoid the takedown, but I expect Benavidez to mix up his striking and take home a very close victory. Benavidez by decision.
This week UFC released the official trailer for the live finale of The Ultimate Fighter 24: Tournament of Champions scheduled for December.
Featured above is the video, which hypes up the top two fights scheduled for …
https://youtu.be/TS-sLuPazXQ
This week UFC released the official trailer for the live finale of The Ultimate Fighter 24: Tournament of Champions scheduled for December.
Featured above is the video, which hypes up the top two fights scheduled for the card. In the main event, UFC Flyweight Champion Demetrious Johnson will put his title on the line against the winner of this season’s TUF tournament and TUF 24 coaches and former title contenders Joseph Benavidez and Henry Cejudo will do battle in the co-main event.
The TUF 24 Finale takes place on Saturday, December 10, 2016 from the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada and will air live on FOX Sports 1. Join us here at MMANews.com on 12/10 for live coverage of the event.
https://t.co/Ig70olgxHT
