LAS VEGAS — “The Ultimate Fighter 11” comes to a close this evening with the finale at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada, and HeavyMMA.com is live on the scene bringing you results and a live chat.
The event is headlined by this season’ tournament finale between middleweights Court McGee and Kris McCray. The card also features a light heavyweight contest between Keith Jardine and Matt Hamill. The preliminary card features several match ups including fighters from this season, including Kyle Noke vs. Josh Bryant and Brad Tavares vs. Seth Baczynski.
Check out the details and results from this evening’s preliminary action.
James McSweeney vs. Travis Browne
Travis Browne got off to a quick start in his UFC debut, and McSweeney was the unlucky man standing in his way. At first, with Rashad Evans in his corner, McSweeney was having success on the feet, avoiding damage while issuing a fair amount of his own. But a big right hand from Browne quickly turned things around, sending McSweeney to the floor. Browne followed his hurt opponent to the canvas to look for the finish and, after a short while working on the mats, he gained the full mount and pounded away. Browne earned the stoppage over “The Ultimate Fighter 10” competitor in a very impressive debut with the promotion. Browne def. McSweeney via technical knockout at 4:32 of Round 1.
James Hammortree vs. Chris Camozzi
In a battle of two fighters from this season of “The Ultimate Fighter”, Camozzi and Hammortree fought to secure another bout in the UFC, as the loser would more than likely receive his walking papers. The gameplans were apparent very early with Hammortree looking for a big punch, while Camozzi was much more focused on working his leg kicks and knees, along with working in the clinch.
The first round was fairly close with Camozzi scoring a takedown, while Hammortree continuously missed his big punches. The second round saw Camozzi successfully land several big kicks and knees, forcing Hammortree to go for a takedown, which he got. However, Camozzi did more in the round and the two entered the last round after two fast-paced, exciting rounds of action. Hammortree once again failed to land much, and even when he did land a nice shot, Camozzi was quick to move the fight into the clinch, where he landed some nice knees.
Hammortree spent the majority of the fight looking for a Knockout of the Night candidate, while Camozzi patiently picked apart his castmate, earning a unanimous decision in the second bout of the evening. Camozzi def. Hammortree via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28).
Kyle Noke vs. Josh Bryant
Kyle Noke may have hustled us all. After watching him fail to reach even the semi-finals on the show, Noke came out on the undercard of “The Ultimate Fighter 11 Finale” and put on an absolute clinic. His victim, who reached the semi-finals on this season of the series, failed to mount any kind of offense at all in the fight. Bryant took major leg kicks, body kicks, and solid combinations from Noke from the opening bell and crumbled in the second round due to a body shot. Noke finished Bryant with ground and pond midway through the second round. Noke def. Bryant via technical knockout at 3:12 of Round 2.
Brad Tavares vs. Seth Baczynski
Tavares and Baczynski , like the handful of castmates also on the preliminary card, came out to the cage prepared to fight for a job in the UFC, and the two middleweights put on an exciting fight for the fans. Oh, and this time the fight did not end with an illegal strike, which was a plus.
The main story of the first two rounds was Tavares’ ability to control Baczynski on the ground. Tavares nearly finished Baczynski when he had his back and, when he was on top, Baczysnki had a very difficult time getting him off. The control was very impressive, especially considering the fact that Baczynski threatened Tavares early on in the fight, much like their bout from the show.
The third round was more of the same, until Baczynski locked on a solid triangle choke from the bottom. Tavares somehow broke free of the submission attempt and quickly took his opponent’s back, nearly scoring the rear naked choke. However, a finish would elude both fighters, while victory would elude just one, as Baczynski fell short on the judges’ scorecards. Tavares def. Baczynski via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28).
John Gunderson vs. Mark Holst
This fight was not exactly as dynamic as a couple of the earlier ones, but, in all fairness, the fights have been pretty stellar thus far. Basically the entire fight, Gunderson positioned himself on top of Holst, who would constantly work for the submission. Unfortunately for him, Gunderson would never let him have a successful submission, and Holst dropped the unanimous decision. Quite simply, Holst spent far too much time on his back. Holst did have one somewhat notable takedown in the third, but that was about the only big change from the usual positioning, which featured Holst on his back. His bottom game was strong, but the guy on top is almost always going to get the nod from the judges. Gunderson def. Holst via unanimous decision (no scores announced).