Nate Diaz Flurry Dispatches Gray Maynard in ‘The Ultimate Fighter 18’ Finale Headliner
Nate
Diaz cruised past Gray Maynard. | Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Getty
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Nate Diaz bullied “The Bully.”
Diaz put away Gray Maynard with a short straight left and a savage volley of follow-up punches in UFC “The Ultimate Fighter 18” Finale main event on Saturday at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Maynard (11-3-1, 9-3-1 UFC) succumbed to the unanswered blows 2:38 into round one, as he lost for the third time in four appearances.
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“I won,” Diaz said. “That’s what’s up.”
Pena Stops Rakoczy, Becomes First Female ‘Ultimate Fighter’ Winner
Sikjitsu representative Julianna Pena stopped Jessica Rakoczy with first-round punches from the mount to win “The Ultimate Fighter” Season 18 women’s bantamweight tournament. Pena (5-2, 1-0 UFC) closed the deal 4:59 into round one, as she became the first-ever female “Ultimate Fighter” winner and snapped a two-fight losing streak.
A decorated boxer with limited MMA experience, Rakoczy (1-4, 0-1 UFC) never hand a chance. Pena went to work after the second of her two takedowns. “The Venezuelan Vixen” softened Rakoczy with ground-and-pound, compromised her guard and eventually moved to full mount. For nearly two full minutes, she tore into Rakoczy with elbows and punches, forcing the stoppage with only a second remaining on the clock.
“Jessica is very tough. She hung in there. I can’t believe I got the finish with one second left, but I’m grateful to be in the UFC,” Pena said. “I’m very excited, and I can’t wait to put in more work. It’s just about to get started.”
Holdsworth Choke Submits Grant
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Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/UFC/Getty
Holdsworth took it to Grant.
Holdsworth (5-0, 1-0 UFC) wore down the Englishman with a relentless series of clinches. In the second round, he countered a standing guillotine choke with a takedown and ultimately settled in half guard. Holdsworth then transitioned to his opponent’s back, securing the position with a body triangle. Grant later moved to a kneeling position, opening the door for the fight-ending choke.
Holdsworth obliged, and the reluctant tapout came next.
“This has been a long six months,” Holdsworth said, “but hard work pays off.”
Duke Stays Undefeated, Decisions Morgan
The unbeaten Jessamyn Duke kept her perfect professional record intact, as she posted a unanimous decision over Championship Fighting Alliance alum Peggy Morgan in a featured women’s bantamweight matchup. Duke (3-0, 1-0 UFC) swept the scorecards by identical 30-27 marks.
Morgan (2-1, 0-1 UFC) was routinely beaten to the punch by the 27-year-old Kentucky native. Duke unleashed damaging punching combinations on her feet and utilized a dangerous guard on the ground. Morgan’s best chance at victory came and went in the third round. There, she transitioned to her adversary’s back after Duke tried to counter a takedown with an ill-advised headlock. Morgan’s attempts to secure a rear-naked choke proved unproductive, and the two bantamweights eventually returned to a standing position.
Pennington Halts Skid, Outpoints Modaferri
Invicta Fighting Championships alum Raquel Pennington threw the brakes on a two-fight losing streak, as she captured a unanimous verdict over Roxanne Modaferri in a women’s bantamweight showcase. All three judges scored it for Pennington (4-3, 1-0 UFC): 30-27, 30-27 and 29-28.
Modaferri (15-11, 0-1 UFC) lacked the necessary firepower, particularly in the standup department. Pennington leaned on heavy power punching, an effective sprawl and strong ground-and-pound throughout the 15-minute encounter. In the closing seconds of the third round, the 25-year-old Colorado native trapped Modaferri in a mounted guillotine choke and nearly finished it. Pennington settled for the decision, handing “The Happy Warrior” her sixth straight defeat.
More UFC “The Ultimate Fighter 18” Finale »
• UFC “The Ultimate Fighter 18” Finale Prelim Results and Recap
• UFC “The Ultimate Fighter 18” Finale Play-by-Play
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