Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
The 15th season of The Ultimate Fighter has officially come to a close with the conclusion of the Ultimate Fighter Finale.
This card didn't have the name value that past finales had, but every fight was exciting. There was some controversy in the opening fight, as Kim Winslow stopped the fight without the fighter actually submitting.
On the main card, Michael Chiesa completed his storybook run through the field with a quick submission over Al Iaquinta. And in the main event,Martin Kampmann overcame early adversity to knockJake Ellenberger out in the second round.
With the night finally over, let's grade the performances of everyone on the main card.
John Cofer: C-
Photo Credit: Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC
John Cofer was the biggest underdog on the card, and for that reason I am impressed by his performance. His one way to win was to get the fight to the ground and work strikes from the top.
Unfortunately, he just couldn't hold position when he got Lawrence down. He made a mistake in trying to go for an armbar at the close of the second round. However, through two rounds he still held his own against one of the best strikers on this season of The Ultimate Fighter.
That was a bad knockout and hopefully it will allow him to grow as a fighter instead of becoming extremely tentative. Only time will tell.
Justin Lawrence: B+
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Shout out to anyone who calls Dominick Cruz and his own father his "staff." That's so baller I can't even describe it.
Justin Lawrence was one of the favorites to win this season of The Ultimate Fighter as Dominick Cruz's top pick. He has very dynamic striking but is very weak off his back.
Lawrence was impressive tonight in his win over John Cofer. I do have some concerns, as a lot of his strikes missed their mark. If he can't accurately strike in the UFC, he'll wash out very quickly. Still, a highlight reel knockout is a helluva way to enter the promotion.
Pat Schilling: D
Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
There's something to be said about a fighter's ability to take a bunch of punishment. That's exactly what Pat Schilling did in his UFC debut against Max Holloway. I can't really compliment him on anything else since this was such a one-sided beating.
I think we can agree that Pat Schilling wasn't ready for the UFC and if he can't get past a prospect like Holloway, he can't really compete in the featherweight division.
Max Holloway: B+
Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Max Holloway looked super impressive against a heavy bag. That's essentially what Pat Schilling was in their fight at The Ultimate Fighter Finale. Holloway has very good technical striking, and I can comfortably say that was the best body work I've seen from a prospect.
He's only 20 years old and still hasn't developed power in his hands or filled out. He's a fighter to watch in the future, but he's just not there yet.
Charles Oliveira: A-
Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
I love watching Charles Oliveira fight because he's more impressive with every outing. At The Ultimate Fighter Finale, his striking looked great as he mixed up his combinations.
He had Jonathan Brookins hurt at several times, and that guillotine was super slick.
I do have concerns that he lacks power in his punches, but if he can keep up that kind of tempo and pace, there will be few fighters in the division who can really challenge him.
And the fact that he keeps improving makes him a very scary fighter at featherweight.
Jonathan Brookins: C
Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Anyone else get that weird feeling that Jonathan Brookins has regressed as a fighter? I dunno, he just hasn't looked good in his UFC career since beating Michael Johnson at the TUF Finale to become the Ultimate Fighter.
He's all but abandoned his wrestling and he can't count on his toughness to get him wins in a very deep division.
Al Iaquinta: C-
Photo Credit: Josh Hedges
I wish I had more to say, but Iaquinta didn't really show much in his fight against Mike Chiesa at The Ultimate Fighter Finale. It was his third fight in as many weeks and he had to be exhausted by fight time.
I'd like to see what he can do when he has a full camp and isn't mentally drained. We'll have to wait and see, but tonight he just wasn't impressive.
Mike Chiesa: A+
Photo Credit: Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC
Michael Chiesa is the newest Ultimate Fighter winner and the feelgood story of the year. After finding out that his father passed away just days into the competition, Chiesa was able to turn a negative into a positive with a storybook run through the season.
He looked extremely impressive in his win over Al Iaquinta, and that rear-naked choke likely earned him a Submission of the Night bonus. I really look forward to seeing him in action again in the UFC. Hopefully, it will be under better circumstances.
Martin Kampmann : A
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Martin Kampmann is one of the toughest guys in the welterweight division. His ability to survive big punches is ridiculous. I thought he was out in the first when he got dropped, but he turned it around and ended up getting the finish with some vicious knees.
It sounds like though Dana Whitecalled Johny Hendricks the No. 1 contender after UFC on FOX 3, that Martin and Hendricks will now meet in a title eliminator. Good for Kampmann for putting together a great three-fight winning streak.
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