On Friday, July 5, the UFC hosted The Ultimate Fighter 27 Finale from the Pearl at the Palms in Las Vegas.
In the night’s main event, middleweight veteran and TUF alum Brad Tavares clashed with unbeaten kickboxing stalwart Israel Adesanya. Hawaii’s Tavares had won five of his last six, with the lone defeat coming against current champion Robert Whittaker. Adesanya, meanwhile, is a former GLORY Kickboxing title challenger who had reeled off 13 straight wins to open his MMA career. He earned back-to-back wins inside the Octagon to set up the headlining clash with Tavares.
Also on the card, the promotion crowned the winners of the 27th season of its flagship reality series, The Ultimate Fighter. The season featured fighters competing in the featherweight and lightweight divisions.
The 12-fight event kicked off Friday at 7 p.m. ET with two bouts streaming live on UFC Fight Pass. Four additional preliminary-card bouts followed on Fox Sports 1 at 8 p.m. ET, with the six-fight main card airing live at 10 p.m. ET, also on Fox Sports 1.
Mike Trizano def. Joe Giannetti by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) – TUF 27 lightweight final
Brad Katona def. Jay Cucciniello by unanimous decision (30-26 x3) – TUF 27 featherweight final
Alex Caceres def. Martin Bravo by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Roxanne Modafferi def. Barb Honchak by TKO (strikes). Round 2, 3:32
Alessio Di Chirico def. Julian Marquez by split decision
Montana de la Rosa def. Rachael Ostovich by submission (rear-naked choke). Round 3, 4:21
Luis Pena def. Richie Smullen by submission (guillotine choke). Round 1, 3:32
John Gunther def. Allan Zuniga by majority decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-28)
Bryce Mitchell def. Tyler Diamond by majority decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-28)
Steven Peterson def. Matt Bessette by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Gerald Meerschaert def. Oskar Piechota by technical submission (rear-naked choke). Round 2, 4:55