TUF 9 finale
The Ultimate Fighting Championship returned home to Las Vegas after a successful stint in Germany with yet another amazing night of fights.
The Ultimate Fighter 9 Finale aired free on SpikeTV from “The Pearl” at the Palms where we witnessed two of the UK’s most talented fighters, lightweight Ross Pearson and welterweight James Wilks earn a six figure contract in the UFC.
However, the main event stole the show.
A battle between two of the UFC’s most aggressive lightweights did not disappoint as Diego “Nightmare” Sanchez edged Clay “The Carpenter” Guida via split decision in one helluva slobber knocker.
Sanchez came out possessed in the opening round as he threw everything but the kitchen sink at Guida. Hooks, uppercuts, head kicks and countless flying knees all found their mark on Guida, but like the savage that he is; Guida was able to survive the onslaught.
It was quite an epic first minute to any fight.
Guida was able out wrestle Sanchez in the second round and controlled “The Nightmare” for the majority of the round.
The final stanza proved to be the deciding factor as Sanchez weathered the early storm from Guida and counter punched his was to his second straight victory within the lightweight division.
Sanchez may have secured his spot as the number one contender as we await the BJ Penn/Kenny Florian fight later this year.
Two former TUF winners faced off in more lightweight action as Joe “Daddy” Stevenson used his superior strength to hand Nate Diaz his second consecutive loss.
Diaz was unable to get anything going as he gazed at “The Pearl’s” lights for three rounds. Stevenson out muscled the lanky Diaz and earned the unanimous decision.
Team UK sweeps!
Heavily favored DeMarques Johnson fell victim to a James Wilks’ choke with only seconds remaining in the first round. Wilks dominated from the get go and found “the golden ticket” in form of a six figure UFC contract.
Ross Pearson was also an underdog in his fight with fellow countryman Andre Winner in their lightweight bout, but Pearson earned a unanimous decision and a six figure contract.
The first televised bout featured hard hitting Chris “Lights Out” Lytle as he slugged it out with Kevin “Fire” Burns.
In a barn burner of a fight, Lytle out slugged Burns and delivered on his promise on having yet another “fight of the night.” Lytle earned the victory despite three groin shots and has yet to tap in 48 professional fights.
It was truly a great night of fights and it was all free!
MAIN CARD
• Diego Sanchez def. Clay Guida via split decision split decision (28-29, 29-27, 29-28)
• James Wilks def. DaMarques Johnson via submission (rear-naked choke) - Round 1, 4:54 to become "TUF 9" welterweight winner
• Chris Lytle def. Kevin Burns via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Ross Pearson def. Andre Winner via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) to become "TUF 9" lightweight winner
• Joe Stevenson def. Nate Diaz via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-29)
PRELIMINARY CARD
• Melvin Guillard def. Gleison Tibau via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
• Brad Blackburn def. Edgar Garcia via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
• Tomasz Drwal def. Mike Ciesnolevicz via TKO (strikes), Round 1 - 4:48
• Nick Ospiczak def. Frank Lester via submission (rear-naked choke) - Round 1, 3:40
• Jason Dent def. Cameron Dollar via submission (anaconda choke) - Round 1, 4:46
