Tonight in the co-main event of UFC Vegas 35, we saw a winner crowned in the middleweight division for this season of The Ultimate Fighter. Two members of Team Volkanovski squared off as Bryan Battle (5-1) took on Gilbert Urbina (6-1).
Originally Urbina was not supposed to be fighting for a UFC contract tonight. Tresean Gore (3-0) of Team Ortega was meant to be taking on Battle in the finale. However, a knee injury forced Gore to pull out of the fight.
To get into the finals, Gore knocked Urbina out in the second round of their semifinal matchup. Urbina is a very tough competitor and he has UFC roots with his brother having competed with the promotion. Tonight, he got a second chance to try and become The Ultimate Fighter.
Standing in his way was Bryan Battle who’s been seen as a front runner to become the UFC‘s TUF winner at 185 pounds. Battle stormed through the competition on his way to the finals tonight. Overall, he’s also won four straight fights outside of the TUF house heading into UFC Vegas 35.
UFC Vegas 35 Recap
Round 1
The UFC TUF middleweight finale kicked off with a touch of the gloves. Battle opens with a lot of feints and Urbina steps in with a big kick. Nice leg kick lands for Urbina. Urbina lands a big combination and Battle is hurt.
Battle is slammed to the ground by Urbina. Battle looking overwhelmed here, but he gets back up. Urbina slams him back to the ground and he goes to work with vicious shots on the ground. Urbina gets to the mount and lands some nice shots.
However, Battle weathers the storm and he gets back up to this feet. Battle pushes off and the two are striking again. Another good shot lands for Urbina, but Battle is starting settle in here.
Good combination lands for Battle. Battle is definitely looking more comfortable here and he lands a couple of nice combinations. After he lands, Urbina shoots in for a takedown. Urbina pushes Battle against the fence as he tries to get the fight to the ground.
Battle reverses the position and lands some nice knees. They separate and Battle lands some really good shots before they clinch again. The round comes to a close and despite the strong close from battle, it’s 1-0 Urbina at UFC Vegas 35.
Round 2
While I had Urbina winning the first round, all the momentum appears to be with Battle heading into the second round at UFC Vegas 35. The second round starts with immediate pressure from Bryan Battle.
Battle opens with a nice combination and the strikes are flowing nicely from Battle here. Urbina is looking a little tired, but he does land a decent 1-2. Sloppy takedown attempt from Urbina, but he is able to get a body lock.
Urbina swings to the back and tries to get a takedown. However, Battle defends well. The two separate briefly and both land bombs. A good elbow from Urbina cuts Battle open. Battle is able to land a takedown of his own.
Battle swings immediately to the back of Urbina. Urbina is looking really tired here and Battle locks in a rear naked choke. Urbina is forced to tap and Bryan Battle is the UFC’s middleweight Ultimate Fighter.
Bryan Battle def. Gilbert Urbina by Submission (Rear Naked Choke) – Round 2