The final of season 34 of "The Ultimate Fighter" ended in controversy Saturday, as Ilimbek Akylbek Uulu took the tournament trophy after his opponent was disqualified for an illegal knee at UFC Fight Night 289.
Mehemmedeli Osmanli, the 3-1 favorite, rushed at Uulu while Uulu was on his knees on the canvas and landed a left knee squarely to the head. After reviewing replays and watching Uulu's response — he appeared to be knocked out by the strike — the referee waved off the contest at 2:19 of the opening round.
A bittersweet victory
Uulu, the moderate underdog, had his hand raised and claimed the "TUF 34" crown through no action of his own. Osmanli's single mistake cost him both the fight and the tournament title in a manner neither athlete would have chosen.
The full card results
The event featured a busy undercard. Valesca Machado, fighting as "Tina Black," knocked out Melissa Amaya with punches at 3:19 of round two to become the women's strawweight winner. Brady Hiestand submitted Rinya Nakamura with a rear-naked choke in round two, Rodolfo Vieira took a unanimous decision over Robert Bryczek, Christian Edwards stopped Rodolfo Bellato by third-round TKO, Elves Brener knocked out Josiah Harrell in the first round, Montel Jackson knocked out Ricky Simon in the second, Heili Alateng edged John Castaneda by split decision, and Yazmin Jauregui knocked out Vanessa Demopoulos in the opening round.
Sources:
Ilimbek Akylbek Uulu wins 'TUF 34' thanks to Mehemmedeli Osmanli illegal knee — MMA Junkie
Mehemmedeli Osmanli, the 3-1 favorite, rushed at Uulu while Uulu was on his knees on the canvas and landed a left knee squarely to the head. After reviewing replays and watching Uulu's response — he appeared to be knocked out by the strike — the referee waved off the contest at 2:19 of the opening round.
A bittersweet victory
Uulu, the moderate underdog, had his hand raised and claimed the "TUF 34" crown through no action of his own. Osmanli's single mistake cost him both the fight and the tournament title in a manner neither athlete would have chosen.
The full card results
The event featured a busy undercard. Valesca Machado, fighting as "Tina Black," knocked out Melissa Amaya with punches at 3:19 of round two to become the women's strawweight winner. Brady Hiestand submitted Rinya Nakamura with a rear-naked choke in round two, Rodolfo Vieira took a unanimous decision over Robert Bryczek, Christian Edwards stopped Rodolfo Bellato by third-round TKO, Elves Brener knocked out Josiah Harrell in the first round, Montel Jackson knocked out Ricky Simon in the second, Heili Alateng edged John Castaneda by split decision, and Yazmin Jauregui knocked out Vanessa Demopoulos in the opening round.
Sources:
Ilimbek Akylbek Uulu wins 'TUF 34' thanks to Mehemmedeli Osmanli illegal knee — MMA Junkie
