Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of The Ultimate Fighter 24 Finale: Johnson vs. Elliott, eminating from The Pearl at The Palms Casino & Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The event is headlined by the number-one ranked pound-for-pound fighter in the world, UFC Flyweight Champion Demetrious Johnson, making his ninth title defense as he defends against the winner of The Ultimate Fighter 24 flyweight tournament, Tim Elliott.
Elliott outlasted 15 of the top flyweight champions from promotions around the world during this season of the reality show, and he looks to do what no opponent has been able to do, and that is defeat Johnson.
In the co-main event, it will be the battle of the coaches from this season as former flyweight title challengers Joseph Benavidez and Henry Cejudo square off as they both look to get back into the title picture. Also on the main card is a welterweight showdown between Jake Ellenberger and Jorge Masvidal, and former title challengers in the women’s bantamweight division meet as Sara McMann takes on Alexis Davis.
Follow along with our live coverage of the event beginning at 7 p.m. ET with preliminary action all the way thru the main card.
Some additional coverage:
– The Ultimate Fighter 24 Finale Betting & Fantasy Playbook
UFC FIGHT PASS PRELIMS | 7 PM ET/4 PM PT
> Josh Stansbury (8-2, 1-0 UFC) vs. Devin Clark (6-1, 0-1 UFC)
Light Heavyweights
Clark got the early edge in the clinch but Stansbury landed a big right hand. Clark got a takedown and was landing from the top. Stansbury scrambled up and Clark landed a big shot against the fence. Stansbury locked in a choke late but time ran out. Clark got the first round 10-9. Clark was landing punches in the second round and got the better of an early clinch. Stansbury then got a clinch and landed some big punches. Clark later landed big punches and had Stansbury planted against the fence but couldn’t land a late takedown. Close second round but I had it 10-9 for Clark, and had him up 20-18 after two. Stansbury had Clark pressed against the fence and was landing and defended a takedown for the early part of the third round. Clark started countering but was keeping his hands low. Both men landed some solid shots. Clark went for a takedown late and they scrambled to the mat. Not an exciting fight. I had the third round 10-9 for Stansbury. I had the fight 29-28 overall for Clark.
Official Result- Devin Clark def. Josh Stansbury by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
> Elvis Mutapcic (15-4-1, 0-1-1 UFC) vs. Anthony Smith (25-12, 1-2 UFC)
Middleweights
Mutapcic got a takedown early and was landing from the top. Smith went for an armbar but got spiked. Mutapcic remained on top and was continuing to land a lot of punches. Smith was unable to mount anything from the bottom. Mutapcic continued to land as the round ended. The first round was a clear 10-9 for Mutapcic. Smith landed a big knee in the second round and was landing some good punches and kicks. Smith was teeing off on Mutapcic and opened a big cut on the left side of his head. Mutapcic was doing his best to recover but Smith landed a big elbow that dropped Mutapcic and he finished it off with some punches on the ground. A big knockout win by Anthony Smith.
Official Result- Anthony Smith def. Elvis Mutapcic by TKO (strikes) at 3:27 of Round 2
FOX SPORTS 1 PRELIMS | 8 PM ET/5 PM PT
> Kailin Curran (4-3, 1-3 UFC) vs. Jamie Moyle (3-1, 0-0 UFC)
Women’s Strawweights
Moyle got an early takedown. Curran was able to get back up and landed some punches and had a choke briefly locked in. Both ladies were landing on their feet and Moyle pushed Curran against the fence. Both landed as the round ended. It was a close round, but I gave it to 10-9 to Moyle. Moyle kept looking for the takedown at the start of the second but Curran was landing elbows.Curran bloodied up Moyle in the second round but Moyle likely stole the round with a big slam I had her up 20-18 after two. Moyle was bleeding more in the third but got a takedown. Curran landed an illegal knee which caused a timeout. They got back to action and Curran was landing but Moyle got a late takedown and ended the round strong. I had the fight 30-27 for Moyle.
Official Result- Jamie Moyle def. Kailin Curran by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
> Dong Hyun “Maestro” Kim (13-8-3, 0-2 UFC) vs. Brendan O’Reilly (6-2 1 NC, 1-2 UFC)
Lightweights
Kim was getting the edge early by pushing O’Reilly against the fence and scoring a takedown. Kim landed an illegal knee but the fight wasn’t stopped at all. Kim took the back and drug the fight to the mat. Kim got into mount and was landing. Kim with some big ground punches to end the round, which he took 10-9. Kim got an early takedown in the second round. Kim went for a choke but O’Reilly was able to escape. O’Reilly was going for a kimura and was able to get to his feet and came on strong late, but it was still Kim’s round. I had Kim up 20-18 after two. Kim had O’Reilly pressured against the fence in the third. O’Reilly landed a big elbow but was unable to separate from the clinch at all in the third. Both men looked tired and it was a slow round. Kim got a trip takedown and took the back. O’Reilly was able to get up but neither could do much as the fight ended. I had the fight 30-27 for Kim.
Official Result- Dong Hyun “Maestro” Kim def. Brendan O’Reilly by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
> Rob Font (12-2, 2-1 UFC) vs. Matt Schnell (10-2, 0-0 UFC)
Bantamweights
Font got an early takedown and was on top. Font took the back and was looking for the kimura. They got to their feet and Font rocked Schnell with a front kick but he survived. Font dropped Schnell with a huge knee and he was going for the finish. Font took the back and started landing a lot of punches and the fight was stopped. Font with a big TKO win in the first round.
Official Result- Rob Font def. Matt Schnell by TKO (knee & punches) at 3:47 of Round 1
> Gray Maynard (12-5-1 1 NC, 10-5-1 1 NC UFC) vs. Ryan Hall (5-1, 1-0 UFC)
Featherweights
Hall went rolling for leg locks early and often and had Maynard on the mat for a moment. Hall did land a nice head kick at one point but spent more time rolling for leg locks than attacking. Maynard landed a nice right hand. Hall clearly doesn’t wanna strike with him, but he got the first round on my card. 10-9 Hall after one. Hall landed a big head kick and was keeping Maynard at a distance, but he just kept rolling for leg locks, which frustrated both Maynard and the fans in attendance. Hall landed some more kicks and he clearly had Maynard off of his attack. Every time Maynard got in close, Hall would drop to the mat, and Maynard would be unable to output his offense. I had round two for Hall as well and him up 20-18. Hall was landing more kicks in the third and dropping for leg locks, frustrating Maynard to the point where Maynard gave him a one-finger salute. Maynard did land an illegal kick. Hall was landing more with his kicks but throwing almost no punches. Maynard is clearly frustrated. This fight was something else and not one that is going to earn Hall a lot of fans. I had Hall winning the fight 30-27. This was an incredibly difficult fight to watch.
Official Result- Ryan Hall def. Gray Maynard by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
FOX SPORTS 1 MAIN CARD | 10 PM ET/7 PM PT
> Brandon Moreno (#12, 12-3, 1-0 UFC) vs. Ryan Benoit (9-4, 2-2 UFC)
Flyweights
They traded strikes early and Moreno got a takedown. Moreno took the back of Benoit against the fence and had good pressure on. They were wildly trading and Benoit landed a big body kick. Moreno clipped him with a left hand. Close opening round, but I had it for Moreno. They were trading early in the second round. Moreno was more flashy on his feet going for spin kicks. Benoit dropped Moreno with a left hook but Moreno survived. Benoit was getting his timing down but Moreno switched up and landed a big takedown. Moreno had Benoit planted on the bottom for the rest of the round and was landing from top. Close round but I had it for Moreno. Benoit landed a nice right hand in the opening moments of the third but Moreno went into grind mode by grabbing a single leg and pressuring Benoit against the fence. Moreno broke the clinch and missed a flying knee but came back on strong just outlanding Benoit in the last round. Benoit was landing some solid punches but Moreno had a response for everything. They traded some nice punches late. I had this a clean sweep for Moreno and him winning 30-27.
Official Result- Brandon Moreno def. Ryan Benoit by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
> Sara McMann (#7, 9-3, 3-3 UFC) vs. Alexis Davis (17-6, 4-1 UFC)
Women’s Bantamweights
Davis hasn’t fought since April 2015 and is coming off a pregnancy layoff. They were trading early and McMann scored a takedown. Davis was landing elbows from the bottom, which cut open McMann. McMann didn’t do much from the top and Davis came on strong late with more elbows from the bottom. Even though she was on the bottom for the majority of the round, I had round one for Davis. McMann got a big takedown in the opening minute of round two. Neither ladu was doing much on the ground until McMann had an arm-triangle locked in. She got it in tighter and Davis tapped! McMann with the submission win over Davis in a hard-fought win.
Official Result- Sara McMann def. Alexis Davis by submission (arm-triangle choke) at 2:52 of Round 2
> Ion Cutelaba (12-2 1 NC, 1-1 UFC) vs. Jared Cannonier (8-1, 1-1 UFC)
Light Heavyweights
They were trading big strikes early. Cutelaba got a judo throw takedown. Cutelaba was landing from the top but Cannonier was able to sweep to his feet. Cutelaba got another takedown and he ended the round on top. The first round was for Cutelaba. Cutelaba got a takedown and was controlling from the top in the second. They got to their feet and Cannonier rocked Cutelaba pretty good with some hard punches, but Cutelaba got a takedown and was able to recover. They got up and Cannonier was able to end up on top of Cutelaba. Cutelaba looked very tired at the end of the second. I had the fight even after two rounds. Cutelaba got a brief takedown in the third but they got up and Cannonier was landing some solid punches. Cannonier was controlling the Octagon and landing some big shots but Cutelaba was firing back. They scrambled in a clinch against the fence as Cutelaba was the more tired fighter. Cannonier landed some big punches on the break. Cannonier was just walking forward with his hands down and letting Cutelaba hit him without even showing a flinch in a great moment. A very entertaining fight. I had Cannonier winning the last round, and had the fight 29-28 for Cannonier.
Official Result- Jared Cannonier def. Ion Cutelaba by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
> Jake Ellenberger (#15, 31-11, 10-7 UFC) vs. Jorge Masvidal (30-11, 7-4 UFC)
Welterweights
They were trading early on. Masvidal was teeing off on Ellenberger with lots of punches and knees to the body. He had Ellenberger in a lot of trouble and was close to stopping it but Ellenberger was able to survive. They got back to the center and Ellenberger went on the attack but Masvidal was countering. Both men landed big punches. A weird spot where Ellenberger got his toes stuck in the cage fence and Masvidal started landing punches. Herb Dean stopped the fight and called a timeout but found out he was going to have to call off the fight. A weird finish to this fight.
Official Result- Jorge Masvidal def. Jake Ellenberger by TKO (punches) at 4:05 of Round 1
> Joseph Benavidez (#1, 24-4, 11-2 UFC) vs. Henry Cejudo (#2, 10-1, 4-1 UFC)
Flyweights
They traded early and Cejudo dropped Benavidez with a punch. Cejudo kicked Benavidez in the cup and we had a timeout. They got back to action and traded and another kick to the cup from Cejudo. Cejudo got deducted a point as he was warned earlier. Benavidez defended a takedown attempt from Cejudo. They were trading at a very fast pace. Benavidez landed a head kick but Cejudo got a brief takedown. Fast-paced opening round. I had it for Cejudo, but an even round due to the point deduction.
They came out fast-paced to start the second round. Cejudo got in a big knee to the body. Benavidez landed a flush right hand. Both men were throwing punches and kicks but not a lot landing solidly. They traded body kicks. They traded body kicks again. They both landed at the close of the round. A close second round I had for Benavidez as he landed more.
Benavidez landed a solid combo to start the third round. Cejudo got a brief takedown but they got up and Benavidez escaped. They are both landing but Cejudo is landing with more intensity. Cejudo is starting to miss more but when he lands, it is with a lot of power. Cejudo landed a body kick. Cejudo with a jumping knee to the body. Benavidez landed an uppercut. Both men landed big punches as they are going back-and-forth. A wild exchange in the last ten seconds. An absolutely great fight. I had the last round for Cejudo, but with the point deduction in the first round, my scorecard says a 28-28 DRAW.
Official Result- Joseph Benavidez def. Henry Cejudo by split decision (27-29, 30-26, 29-27)
> Demetrious Johnson (C, 24-2-1, 12-1-1 UFC) vs. Tim Elliott (13-6-1, 2-4 UFC)
UFC Flyweight Championship
Johnson got an early takedown but Elliott was able to scramble to half-guard. Elliott had a tight guillotine choke locked in and Johnson was trying to scramble out. Elliott moved to a D’arce choke and Johnson still in some trouble. Johnson somehow escaped and ended up on top and started to work on a choke of his own. They scrambled up. Elliott already tired early. Elliott with a flurry to the body and then he dropped Johnson with a left hook. Elliott almost landed an illegal kick. Elliott scored a takedown. 10-9 Elliott in the first round.
Johnson landed some leg kicks and a right hand to start the second round. Johnson got a takedown and Elliott has the neck looking for a choke. Johnson scrambles to the back of Elliott and has a choke locked in for a brief second. Johnson working in side control and looked for a kimura but Elliott escaped to half-guard. Johnson got the crucifix and was looking for the kimura. Elliott working from the bottom. They scrambled to their feet and Johnson rolled for a leg lock but Elliott ended up on top. 10-9 round for Johnson, 19-19 after two.
Johnson landed some leg kicks and a right hand and they scrambled to the mat. Johnson had the back of Elliott. They scramble and Johnson has the neck looking for the choke. Elliott escaped and edned up on top. They scramble and Elliott was landing some punches, some may have been to the back of the head, but Johnson got it back down and into side control. Elliott looked for a triangle attempt but Johnson escaped and ended back in the full guard. Johnson in side control and landing some elbows. Elliott looking for something from the bottom but Johnson keeps slipping out. Johnson ends the round on top. 10-9 round for Johnson, 29-28 Johnson after three.
Elliott with some whacky attacks on his feet but Johnson evaded them and scored a takedown into the half-guard. Johnson transitioning on the ground and constantly passing guard. Johnson gets the back and threatens a choke but retains back control after scrambling. Johnson has a rear-naked choke locked in. Elliott fighting hard to survive and relaxed his breathing. Johnson let go and passed to side control. Johnson in the crucifix and landing some punches. He’s landing a lot of punches as both of Elliott’s arms were trapped. Elliott got his arms free and was landing from the bottom. Johnson had a straight armbar but turned it into a kimura. Elliott was able to scramble out and they got to their feet. A very entertaining fight thru four rounds. 10-9 Johnson, 39-37 Johnson.
Elliott got a big takedown early in the final round. Johnson scrambled to the top and took the back and transitioned to north-south control and then to side control. Johnson with fluid guard passes throughout this fight. Johnson back into the full guard. Elliott scrambling and Johnson rolling with him and ends up in the half-guard. Elliott doing nothing to get up from the bottom. They start scrambling and Elliott looking for an arm. Johnson reverses and looks for an armbar but they are slippery. Johnson ends up back in the full guard. Johnson with a late kimura attack but the horn sounds and the fight ends. Final round is 10-9 for Johnson and I had it 49-46 Johnson.
Official Result- Demetrious Johnson def. Tim Elliott by unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-45), Johnson remains the UFC Flyweight Champion
FINAL THOUGHTS:
-An impressive win by Demetrious Johnson after being in a lot of trouble in the first round. He solidified himself being the pound-for-pound top fighter in the world. Tim Elliott gave him a great challenge and almost pulled off the upset early, but the in-fight adjustments Johnson made to counter the style of Elliott showed why he is the best. Elliott earned himself a roster spot for the foreseeable future.
-I don’t know what to make of the scorecards in the fight between Joseph Benavidez and Henry Cejudo. I think Benavidez winning is justifiable, even though I had it a draw myself, but I don’t see any way he won all three rounds like he did on one scorecard. I’m also not sure I want to see him fight Johnson again as I don’t think he would have a great shot based on this performance.
-A tough way to lose for Jake Ellenberger. He should appeal the decision to the commission to see it getting overturned. Jorge Masvidal was lighting him up, though.
-Jared Cannonier showed a lot of power at 205 pounds. He could be scary if he decides to drop to 185 pounds.
-Sara McMann had her best showing in the UFC so far. With two straight wins, she could be two wins away from fighting for the title again.
-Brandon Moreno has a lot of potential and it’s exciting to see a young flyweight improving so fast in just two UFC fights in just over two months.
-Ryan Hall needs a lot of work on his striking and to learn to not constantly flop to the mat. It’s going to cost him against better fighters as Gray Maynard is done as a top-tier fighter. That fight was awful.
