‘The Ultimate Fighter 15’ Finale Results: Play-by-Play & Updates
Sherdog.com reports from The Pearl at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas at approximately 6:30 p.m. ET with play-by-play and live results of “The Ultimate Fighter 15” Finale, which is headlined by a welterweight showdown pitting Jake Ellenberger against Martin Kampmann. Also, Mike Chiesa and Al Iaquinta will duke it out to decide FX’s first “Ultimate Fighter.”
Check out the MMA Forums to discuss the card.
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John Albert vs. Erik Perez
Round 1
Kim Winslow will oversee the night's first bout in Las Vegas. The two bantamweights touch gloves and we are underway. Albert initiates the clinch and pushes Perez in to the fence. Perez is able to circle out and get free. Albert comes high with a left kick that lands to the head of Perez. "Prince" follows up with a left hand. Albert tries to sneak around the back and put his hooks in. Her gets put on his back but forces Perez to fight off an armbar. Albert switches to a triangle that appears to be deep. Perez however is content to stay in the hold and hit Albert with hammerfists. Albert reciprocates with his own hammerfists. Finally Perez is able to get out of the hold and in the scramble locks in a fully extended armbar. Winslow stops the bout and Albert protests. On replay, it appears that Albert never tapped. The time of the bout is 4:18 and is announced as a verbal submission win for Perez.
Jeremy Larsen vs. Joe Proctor
Round 1
The lightweights quickly exchange hooks, glancing with rights. Larsen wades into the clinch and eats a knee from Proctor. Double jab for Larsen lands, and Proctor returns with a low kick. Swiping left body shot from Larsen. Larsen working behind his jab before launching combos to the body. He comes in, head down, winging with punches. Proctor grabs the collar tie, and launches a powerful right knee that smashes into Larsen's face and sends him down in a heap. The Massachusetts native is all over his foe with hammerfists until Herb Dean rescues Larsen at 1:59 of the first frame.
Cristiano Marcello vs. Sam Sicilia
Round 1
Opening kick salvos for Marcello miss, while Sicilia can’t land a punch. The Spokane, Wash., native starts winging with overhand rights, prompting Marcello to shoot. The Brazilian’s takedown is stuffed and they resume winging wild punches standing. Each man smacks the other with hooks in a wide-open exchange. Good left hook lands for Sicilia. Sicilia walks into a Marcello push kick, but catches it and knocks the Brazilian to the floor. Marcello butt scoots, Sicilia backs off and they reset standing. Sicilia chases Marcello back to the fence and Marcello pulls guard, looking for a quick armbar. Sicilia sees it, wisely pulls out and makes Marcello stand back up again. Wild haymakers from Sicilia sail high and wide of their target. He continues to start winging combos with lunging left hooks, forcing Marcello back, but never landing the follow up until the horn.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Sicilia
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Sicilia
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Sicilia
Round 2
Sicilia’s winging right overhand knocks Marcello off balance, and he falls to his guard before quickly getting back to his feet. He comes forward, rushing Sicilia with punches that are mostly blocked, then shoots a weak takedown that Sicilia shrugs off. Sicilia and Marcello are just taking turns, winding up huge hooks and slinging them. No real technique as Marcello lands a stream of right hooks, but Sicilia rips back with two of his own. Marcello with a left hook, and is increasingly becoming the more effective striker. The BJJ black belt comes forward and lands a left roundhouse kick to the body, then dodges a combo from Sicilia. As Marcello retreats, Sicilia rushes forward with another lunging left hook that rocks his foe. Marcello’s back hits the fence, Sicilia pelts him with punches and knees and crumples him to the mat. Another set of punches from Sicilia seals the deal, putting Marcello out cold at 2:53 of the second round.
Myles Jury vs. Chris Saunders
Round 1
Saunders tries to crowd the taller Jury, but The Alliance product uses push kicks to keep Saunders away. More teeps from Jury, landing hard to the body. Saunders tries to answer with low kicks, but he’s just out of range. Both men dueling back and forth with head kicks, all of which are blocked. Conservative, kick-heavy opening two minutes. Pawing jabs and errant low kicks are on full display until Saunders accidentally jams his finger into Jury’s eye, prompting referee Kim Winslow to call for a brief break. After the restart, feints from Jury set up a crisp overhand right, the first real heavy strike of the fight. Jury launches a flying knee that lands him in a single-leg takedown from Saunders, but “The Fury” grabs a tight arm-in guillotine and drops to half guard. Saunders tries to tripod up and extricate himself, but can’t. He tries to pass to the side, but Jury ensnares his leg, crushes his hips and forces the tap at 4:03 of the first round.
Daron Cruickshank vs. Chris Tickle
Round 1
Left head kick from Cruickshank lands on a charging Tickle. The action starts quickly, as they lob punches in the ensuing scramble and Tickle winds up snatching a tight guillotine. He jumps right to full guard, but Cruickshank patiently takes his time and uses a good 30 seconds to get free before setting up in full guard. Cruickshank tries to stand, looking for a better chance to pass or pound and tickle Slides up the fence. Cruickshank responds immediately with a smart inside trip, and is right back on top once more, landing elbows. Cruickshank postures up and Tickle upkicks him while he’s down, prompting an immediate protest. Referee Steve Mazzagatti is on top of the foul, gives Cruickshank his reprieve, and instantly takes one point from Chris Tickle. Left head kick-right cross-left cross lands for Tickle on the restart and he drives for a takedown with Cruickshank eyeing a guillotine. Cruickshank instead switches to the same inside trip he used before, and hits it perfectly into full guard. Punches and elbows land for Cruickshank, who grinds away from full guard over the last 90 seconds of the round.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-8 Cruickshank
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-8 Cruickshank
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-8 Cruickshank
Round 2
Cruickshank comes forward to start the round, lobbing punches and hard low kicks. Tickle returns fire, leaping in a right a short right and grabbing a front headlock. Tickle tries to grab an anaconda choke, but Cruickshank turns away from his body and breaks free in half guard. Cruickshank postures up to pound and Tickle nearly comes out the back door, but the Detroit native smartly punches, re-establishes position and starts chipping away from guard again. Lead kick from Cruickshank smacks Tickle in the face, prompting Tickle to taunt his foe before ripping him with a return one-two that puts Cruickshank on the chin. Incredible moment of action. The pace slows with Tickle on top until Cruickshank switches his hooks and tries to scramble up. Tickle sits down into his half guard and tries to work for a brabo choke as Cruickshank tries to roll into a single-leg takedown. Tickle bases down on his head and elbows his body until the horn.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Tickle
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Tickle
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Tickle
Round 3
Both men exchange low kicks to start the final frame. Tickle goes upstarts with a left roundhouse and lands the following left cross. Cruickshank tries to get his inside trip again, but Tickle blocks it and collapses on the tired Cruickshank right into side control. Cruickshank trying to push Tickle away with both arms, but failing. He spins his feet on the fence, trying to scramble away, but he exposes his back. Tickle jumps on his back but he can’t keep his torso high on the bent-over Cruickshank, and he slides right over the back of his foe. Cruickshank dives into top position and starts elbowing again. Cruickshank lands a pair of elbows and nearly passes to half guard, but Tickle explodes back to his feet. As Cruickshank clinches and looks for his go-to inside trick, Tickle tries to counter with a lateral drop. Tickle blows the throw, and Cruickshank falls right into full mount. Cruickshank lands short elbows in close, but can’t really open up with heavy fire until Tickle scrambles, gets in on a single, and puts Cruickshank on his back again. Cruickshank scrambles up with 15 seconds to go, and bulls his way to a takedown just before the horn.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-8 Cruickshank (29-27 Cruickshank)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-8 Cruickshank (29-27 Cruickshank)
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-8 Cruickshank (29-27 Cruickshank)
Official result: All three judges score the bout 29-27 for the winner by unanimous decision, Daron Cruickshank.
Justin Lawrence vs. John Cofer
Round 1
A side kick from Lawrence is caught by Cofer who runs him to the mat. Lawrence crab walks back to the fence on his hands, looking to snake up the cage. He quickly gets up and catches a kick of Cofer, momentarily dropping him on the mat before letting him regain his feet. Right cross lands for Lawrence but the southpaw Cofer hits him with a left hand that stuns him for a brief moment. Counter left hand lands for Lawrence, and the two trade punches inside the clinch for a brief moment. Right head kick by Lawrence is partially blocked. Both fighters take turns rushing forward with punches, only to have their attempted combos blocked. They continue to awkwardly clash inside, perhaps due to their differing stances. Good left for Cofer lands, but Lawrence rips him with two of his own. Cofer continues winging forward with hooks, unfazed by Lawrence's cleaner, straigher shots. Another left hook slips in for Cofer. Switch-step head kick from Lawrence is blocked. Cofer races at him with punches and Lawrence slows him with a jumping knee. Very tightly contested first round.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Lawrence
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Lawrence
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-10
Round 2
Short left lands for Lawrence again, as it starts to make a welt under the right eye of Cofer. Low kicks from both men can't find a firm target. Good right hook on a two-punch combo lands as Lawrence dips inside. Cofer's punch rushes are starting to become more telegraphed now and his TUF counterpart is picking him off more frequently. Lawrence is picking up his workrate, dinging Cofer with a pair of hooks to the head. “The American Kid” is stalking now, but Cofer is kicking just enough to keep the distance comfortable. Cofer lands a knee on the advancing Lawrence. Lawrence tries one-two-spinning back kick, but wheels right into Cofer, who locks up a rear waistlock, slams him to the ground and takes his back with both hooks. Cofer gets too high in back mount and Lawrence slides out the back. He takes his feet and dives into Cofer's guard with a big right hand before time expires in the round.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Lawrence
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Lawrence
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Lawrence
Round 3
Lawrence continues to advance with punches but can't find his target. He feints with a teep, jabs, then uncorks a right roundhouse kick on Cofer, who leans right into the strike. Cofer falls in a heap along the fence and that's all she wrote. Sensational head-kick knockout by Justin Lawrence just 19 seconds into the final round.
Max Holloway vs. Pat Schilling
Round 1
The lanky Holloway tries to establish his jab while Schilling looks instantly to get the fight to the floor. Just after the 30-second mark, Schilling drives into a single-leg, elevates Holloway and still can't get him to the mat. He drives the Hawaiian across the cage, but Holloway shows off good hips, staying upright, then instantly getting back to his feet when Schilling sucks him to the mat. Body kick lands for Holloway. Right cross and left hook to the body follow for Holloway. Schilling shoots low for a double, then rolls for a leglock but Holloway yanks his leg free and makes him stand again. Holloway pecking at Schilling with rangy punches. Schilling whacks Holloway with a spinning back fist, but promptly resumes walking into right hands. Pair of left hooks to the body for Holloway land and Schilling looks like he's starting to slow from the boxing attack of the Hawaiian. Schilling tries to lunge forward with punches, but either misses or is countered. Holloway cuts a corner on him, putting his back to the fence and punishes him to the body once more. Schilling shoots, Holloway sprawls and walks away, forcing it back to the feet. Head kick-flying knee lands for Holloway, prompting another shot from a desperate Schilling, who rolls for a kneebar at the horn.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Holloway
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Holloway
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Holloway
Round 2
Holloway's jab is in Schilling's face quickly. Holloway nearly flies over Schilling with a flying knee and the Minnesotan takes the chance to go for another single-leg, which is stuffed. Right hook and two follow-up shots land for Holloway. Left hook-right hook from Holloway dazes his foe, who runs into another right and falls down in pursuit of a takedown. Referee Chris Tognoni asks Schilling to stand u and he obliges but he's outclassed. Holloway walks him down into the clinch, pelting him with knees, followed by more punches. Schilling shoots, another easy Holloway sprawl. Left hook to the body. Right, then another left, all to the body. Schilling is target practice. Body shots, both sides, both hands against the fence. Schilling is holding his body as he stands up from the butt scoot. He catches a body kick from Holloway and trips him, but Holloway gets his leg free and walks away. Right hook, then a right hook to the body for Holloway. Another spinning back fist lands for Schilling, but he runs into a right hand just a moment after. Holloway lands a left hook to the body and a salvo of knees on a cowering Schilling at the end of a gruesome second round.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-8 Holloway
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-8 Holloway
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-8 Holloway
Round 3
Schilling continues to stand in front of Holloway, who sticks jabs in his face, then lands another left kick to the body. Schilling gamely continues to throw and try to shoot for takedowns, but Holloway looks like he's in absolutely zero danger and is simply enjoying a sparring session. Double jab smacks Pineda, but the following right cross misses. Another desperate spinning back fist for Schilling goes wide, and Holloway punishes him with a left hook to the body. Right cross from Holloway prompts another easily-stuffed shot, and the Hawaiian throws a knee on the end for good measure. Powerful one-two crashes into Schilling's chin, awkwardly stumbling him back into the corner. However, Schilling remains lucid, and Holloway simply backs away, letting him stand again. Holloway tries to improvise a capoeira-inspired technique off of the fence, but blows it. He retakes his feet and kicks Schilling in the head, pummeling him one more time for good measure before the merciful final horn.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Holloway (30-26 Holloway)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Holloway (30-26 Holloway)
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-8 Holloway (30-25 Holloway)
Official result: All three judges score the bout 30-27 for the winner by unanimous decision, Max Holloway.
Jonathan Brookins vs. Charles Oliveira
Round 1
Both advance with errant kicks before Oliveira smacks a hard outside low kick. Brookins with two lead rights. Hard exchange of inside strikes as the Brazilian looks for the clinch, but nothing lands clean. Oliveira stalks Brookins to the fence before exploding in a flying knee. Brookins, however, dumps him to the mat and sets up on the top. Oliveira quickly looks for an armbar and forces Brookins to pull out of his guard, letting him stand again. Left cross for Brookins lands on an advancing Oliveira. The Brazilian gets Brookins back to the fence and rips him with two right hands. Brookins circles away and another right cross from Oliveira crashes into Brookins' bloodied mouth, dropping him to his seat for a brief second. Oliveira doesn't get too crazy after dropping Brookins, settling back into his boxing and leg kicking. Another clean right cross for Oliveira gets Brookins on the run, and the Brazilian tags him again. Brookins plants his feet and tries to fire back, but Oliveira is really taking it to him now on the feet. Inside low kick by “do Bronx” and a knee follows. Lunging knee lands on a retreating Brookins before the horn ends a fun round of fighting.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Oliveira
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Oliveira
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Oliveira
Round 2
Jumping front kick from Oliveira can't find its intended target. A flurry of Brookins hooks backs Oliveira back to the cage, but the Floridian can't find his takedown. Brookins winging with hooks and uppercuts now, but two right hands from Oliveira land. Oliveira clinches with the retreating Brookins and tries to suck him to the mat, while Brookins strains for guillotine control standing. Oliveira finally pulls him down to the mat, straight into fuill guard. Brookins has the guillotine, but “do Bronx” frees himself and lands some elbows. Brookins tries to scoot up the fence, but Oliveira quickly grabs a front headlock, sinks a guillotine and figure-four grips it to finish. He rolls to his back, locks up guard and Brookins is trapped. He taps out, giving Oliveira the impressive submission victory.
Mike Chiesa vs. Al Iaquinta
Round 1
Iaquinta lands an overhand right and follows with a right cross that makes Chiesa wince. Chiesa kicks to the body, but Iaquinta catches it and punishes it for him. Chiesa runs into a single-leg attempt and Iaquinta smartly fights it off, even attempting a leg scissor for a moment as a potential way to reverse his foe. Another Chiesa kick is caught, but Iaquinta's right hook misses. They grapple along the cage and Chiesa gets in deep on a bodylock. The New Yorker tries to spin free, but exposes his back to Chiesa, who pulls him to the ground and gets his hooks in. Chiesa lands some elbows to the side of the head and looks for the rear-naked choke. He works his choking arm right under the jaw of Iaquinta, sinking the choke. Iaquinta grimaces, but he's caught and forced to tap out at 2:27 of the first round. Michael Chiesa is the winner of Season 15 of “The Ultimate Fighter.”
Jake Ellenberger vs. Martin Kampmann
Round 1
After a brief feeling-out process, Ellenberger leaps into the pocket with a big left hook and right-handed follow that drops Kampmann and the Dane is in trouble. Ellenberger flurries with rights, but Kampmann remains calm and weathers the storm nicely. Ellenberger sets up on top along the cage, but is just holding Kampmann down as the “Hitman” tries to scoot up the fence. Kampmann attacks the neck of Ellenberger, trying to frame up a guillotine while the Nebraskan tries to suck his legs away. Ellenberger slowly works his head free and with 30 seconds to go in the round, Kampmann gets back to his feet. They jockey along the fence with Kampmann landing knees to the body before trying a takedown of his own before the bell.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Ellenberger
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Ellenberger
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Ellenberger
Round 2
Ellenberger is all over Kampmann with punches again, ripping him with hooks and crosses as he gives chase. Kampmann's nose is bloodied and his face is reddened. Ellenberger throws two big hooks and gets hit with a short counter right from Kampmann. The Nebraskan takes an awkward step and looks like he might be hurt. Kampmann instantly recognizes it and swarms him. Kampmann grabs the clinch and three right knees drop Ellenberger to the mat in a heap. Referee Steve Mazzagatti intervenes immediately to rescue the toppled “Juggernaut” at 1:20 of the second stanza.
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