Not often do we get a second UFC card after an already engaging week for International Fight Week. The last event for the historic weekend belonged to the conclusion of this season’s The Ultimate Fighter 21 which was a team show between American Top Team and The Blackzilians.

The show could not have gone any better with the Blackzilians starting off strong and an undeniable comeback by ATT. The main event was between Stephen "Wonderboy" Thompson and  Jake Ellenberger. Stephen finished Jake with a great leg kick to the head, and Kamaru Usman submits Hayder Hassan for the Blackzilian victory. It was the perfect ending for an exhausting and special week of fighting in Las Vegas. Also UFC President Dana White announced that the next season of TUF will be a 155 show displaying American fighters facing off against their European counterparts. The show will be coached by Urijah Faber and new appointed UFC featherweight interim champion Conor McGregor. This is right after the viral clip of the two of them getting into it prior to UFC 189.  

There are a few questions that remain about the plight of Stephen ”Wonderboy” Thompson (11-1) and if the exciting former kickboxer has what it takes to fight with the elite in the 170 division. A few of them were answered as we saw a chin and good wrestling by him facing the always dangerous Jake Ellenberger. Jake dropped Stephen early in the first but Thompson shook off the cobwebs and went to work on the back of Ellenberger. Once separated, Stephen threw one leg kick that connected to the head of Jake and it sent him wobbling. The corner of Thompson told him to do it again and he complied, this time it sent Jake to the ground where he pounced for the finish. It’s the type of performance Stephen needed to show he is a player in the top 15 of the division. The only issue is that 170 may be the best that the UFC has to offer.

The true final bout for this season of The Ultimate Fighter 21 was between two standout fighters from the show. Kamaru Usman(6-1) and Hayder Hassan (6-2) both deserved to be in this spot to represent their beloved teams. MVP of the show Hassan was not able to bring home the victory for ATT as he was was out grappled and ultimately submitted by Usman. Hayder landed a shot in the second round that could have been trouble, but Usman regrouped fast and landed a great takedown to inflict some damage back on Hayder. That eventually set up the groundwork for Usman who completed a slick arm triangle to take home the $300,000 for team Blackzilians. The show had its ups and downs but for now the bragging rights belong in South Florida to the Blackzilians.

At tonight’s The Ultimate Fighter 21 Finale the real Michael Graves (5-0) decided to show up. In the show he was one of the main fighters that most felt didn’t live up to his expectations. He faced Blackzilian fighter Vicente Luque (7-5) and showed a well rounded effort to pull off the victory. There were a few moments when it was possible for Graves to finish the fight, but he stayed poised and out grappled the Brazilian to win a very good scrap. It was quite the redemption for the new father and American Top Team athlete.

Jorge Masvidal (29-9) was tired of coming up on the short end of the stick in the 155 division and looks for new life at welterweight. Facing the testy Cezar Ferreira (8-5) he withstood the clinch and used a sharp elbow to hit Cezar and send him to the mat. That was quickly followed with a fierce ground and pound that finished the fight for Jorge. Very impressive in his debut at 170, he immediately called out Matt Brown after the fight. Only time will tell in regards to how well he can do against the murder’s row of talent at 170. He’s the type of fighter you want to see in the division and looked a lot healthier at the heavier weight. We will see where the rankings put him before the discussion of a fight with Brown becomes a reality.

Both Maximo Blanco (12-6) and Michelle Waterson (13-4) had no issues dispatching their opponents in the first two fights of the TUF 21 main card final. Blanco had a first round stoppage of Mike De La Torre (13-5) and it only took a few exchanges for Blanco to land a straight jab that sent Mike to the canvas. Before he could do anymore damage referee Yves Lavigne stepped in to stop the fight. Waterson won her debut in the UFC on the mat against Angela Magana (11-8). Both fighters pressed hard in the first round with Angela doing tons of clinch work against the cage. Soon Waterson tossed her to the ground and finished the round on top after an armbar attempt. The second and third round was much of the same with Waterson finding a slight advantage on the feet. Anytime the fight got to the mat it was a clear advantage to Michelle, which was proven in the third when Waterson pulled off the rear naked choke late. Great debut for Michelle who is still a work in progress but should do well in the 115 division.

Up next for the UFC is one of those rare Wednesday night cards for the UFC Fight Night San Diego, Mir - Duffee. The full results from TUF 21 Finale are listed below,


Main Card:

Stephen Thompson def. Jake Ellenberger via knockout (head kick, punches) – Round 1, 4:29

Kamaru Usman def. Hayder Hassan via submission (arm-triangle choke) – Round 2, 1:19

Michael Graves def. Vicente Luque via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Jorge Masvidal def. Cezar Ferreira via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 4:22

Michelle Waterson def. Angela Magana via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 3, 2:38

Maximo Blanco def. Mike De La Torre via TKO (punch) – Round 1, 0:16

Prelims:

Josh Samman def. Caio Magalhaes via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 2:52

Jerrod Sanders def. Russell Doane via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 29-28)

Trevor Smith def. Dan Miller via unanimous decision (30-25, 30-25, 30-26)

George Sullivan def. Dominic Waters via unanimous decision (30-25, 29-27, 29-28)

Willie Gates def. Darrell Montague via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 1:36