The Ultimate Fighter 18 Finale play-by-play and live results

LAS VEGAS – MMAjunkie is on scene and reporting live from tonight’s The Ultimate Fighter 18 Finale event, and you can get live play-by-play and official results here beginning at approximately 7:30 p.m. ET (4:30 p.m. PT).

The card, which features the “TUF 18? tournament finals and a Nate Diaz vs. Gray Maynard lightweight headliner, takes place at Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. The bulk of the card airs on FOX Sports 1 following a prelim on MMAjunkie.

You can also get behind-the-scenes coverage and other event notes from on-site reporter John Morgan (@MMAjunkieJohn) on Twitter. You can also discuss the event and get the latest videos, photos, .gifs and more in our TUF 18 Finale discussion thread.

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Gray Maynard (11-3-1 MMA, 9-3-1 UFC) vs. Nate Diaz (17-9 MMA, 12-7 UFC)

Round 1 – Maynard walks forward, changing levels. He tries to press in, but Diaz backs away and uses range to keep his opponent away. Maynard rushes forward and scores a takedown. He presses down and tries to set up and arm-triangle. Diaz pulls free and scrambles up, but Maynard elevates him and slams him to the floor. Still, Diaz pops right back to his feet. Diaz gets busy with his hands. A stiff left scores, and Maynard staggers. Diaz sees it, and he turns up the volume. Maynard in trouble, and Diaz unleashes against the cage. Referee Yves Lavigne giving Maynard every chance to recover. He won’t. Diaz starts to taunt as he throws, but he keeps landing flush, and Lavigne has to step in. Maynard staggers to the floor when it’s called. Brutal work from Diaz, and that fight honestly probably went too long.

Result: Nate Diaz def. Gray Maynard via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 2:38
Recap: TBA
Division: Lightweight
Broadcast: FOX Sports 1
Referee: Yves Lavigne

Julianna Pena (5-2 MMA, 1-0 UFC) vs. Jessica Rakoczy (1-4 MMA, 0-1 UFC) - “TUF 18? tourney final

Round 1 – Rakoczy takes a low stance and keeps her distance early. Pena charges forward and works into a clinch, tripping the action to the floor. Rakoczy works her legs inside and tries to look for an arm before kicking Pena away and moving back to the feet. Pena with an underhook, and she simply muscles the fight back to the canvas. Rakoczy scrambles underneath, but Pena is relentless in her efforts and eventually postures and moves past the legs and into the mount. Rakoczy tries to tie the arms up underneath, but Pena works them free and looks to land heavy strikes from the top. Rakoczy tries to buck free, but Pena starts dropping heavy elbows. Very high mount, and Rakoczy is trying to get her legs up to sweep. Referee Mario Yamsaki warns her to move as Pena continues to tee off. With just seconds remaining on the clock, he decides enough is enough.

Result: Julianna Pena def. Jessica Rakoczy via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 4:59
Recap: TBA
Division: Women’s bantamweight
Broadcast: FOX Sports 1
Referee: Mario Yamasaki

Chris Holdsworth (5-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC) vs. Davey Grant (8-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC) – “TUF 18? tourney final

Round 1 – Grant with an early kick to the thigh. He’s moving well to open. Holdsworth launches a big right and moves inside. Grant pulls free and backs way, landing a huge punch in the process. Holdsworth staggers a bit but recovers, and he returns the favor shortly after. Holdsworth pushes inside, but Grant continues to defend well in that position. Grant scores with a knee to the body, and they eventually pull apart. Both miss huge right hands. High pace to open. Holdsworth just misses a high kick that goes over his opponent’s head. Holdsworth presses in again and looks for a takedown, but Grant is very strong in defense against the cage. Holdsworth working his jab, but Grant throwing with power shots that are just missing. The clinch remains a stalemate, but a scramble sees Holdsworth fall into top position. He doesn’t have much time to use it, and the round ends there. MMAjunkie scores a close one for Holdsworth, 10-9.

Round 2 – Holdsworth with an early high kick. Grant catches it but can’t do much with it. They reset and trade. Grant still seems the more powerful fighter, but Holdsworth is avoiding well. He drops down for a leg and gets a takedown, putting Grant on his back. Grant bleeding a bit from the nose. He’s holding half-guard and looking for options. As he moves, Holdsworth hits a smooth transition to the back. He looks for the choke, but Grant spins and keeps his neck free. Still, he’s in trouble, and Holdsworth immediately goes back to the move. This time it’s in. Grant is stuck, and he’s forced to tap, popping immediately to his feet after in dejected fashion. Nice win for Holdsworth.

Result: Chris Holdsworth def. Davey Grant via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 2:10
Recap: Chris Holdsworth taps Davey Grant to take ‘TUF’ men’s title
Division: Bantamweight
Broadcast: FOX Sports 1
Referee: Yves Lavigne

Jessamyn Duke (3-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC) vs. Peggy Morgan (2-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC)

Round 1 – The pair starts quickly, both looking to strike. Duke’s left hook looking sharp early. Morgan pushes forward and gets into a Thai clinch as she pushes Duke to the fence. Duke spins off the cage. They scramble on a trip attempt, and Duke secures a guillotine and falls to her back. Morgan’s left arm in the hold and keeping Duke from really locking it up. Duke elects to let it go and tries a quick transition to a triangle. Morgan defends it well, keeping her arm in to keep space. Duke keeps working it and adjusts to cinch the legs tight. Morgan’s arms are trapped, but it’s giving her space to survive. Bell sounds, and MMAjunkie gives it to Duke, 10-9.

Round 2 – Quick start again in the center of the cage. Duke just seems the crisper fighter, and she’s dealing well with the reach. The lead left still a solid weapon. Morgan pushes into another clinch but decided to back away. Morgan has a small hematoma developing over her left eye. Morgan is pressing and willing to trade, but Duke is using sharp technique to pick apart her opponent. Morgan’s jab is finding its mark, and Duke’s face is reddening. But she’s answering with punches in bunches, including hard shots to the body. Two-punch combo lands flush. Duke continues to use that lead left with great success. Morgan can’t keep up with the pace. Morgan trying to use her jab, but Duke rattles off shots to answer. Takedown for Duke in the final seconds, and she takes the round on the MMAjunkie card, 10-9.

Round 3 – Morgan again no backing down, but she is being outworked by Duke. The lead hook lands almost every time she throws it. Morgan gets inside and wraps the head, looking to land with big knees. Instead, Duke pulls her head free and rattle off more strikes to the face. She’s on point. Morgan moves inside, and she wraps the body. She gets Duke off-balance and drags her to the floor. Duke counters by wrapping the neck and trying to prevent a pass, but she eventually has to let go. That lets Morgan get the back, and the arm comes under the neck. Duke lies flat and defend well, getting the arm away as she turns in and on to her back. Morgan on top. One minute left. Morgan trying to capitalize on the position, but referee Kim Winslow doesn’t see enough and somewhat surprisingly brings them to the feet. Duke tees off on the restart. She takes some to give some, and the fight ends on the feet. MMAjunkie gives the final round to Duke, 10-9, giving him the fight 30-27.

Result: Jessamyn Duke def. Peggy Morgan via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Recap: Jessamyn Duke punches way past Peggy Morgan
Division: Women’s bantamweight
Broadcast: FOX Sports 1
Referee: Kim Winslow

Roxanne Modafferi (15-11 MMA, 0-1 UFC) vs. Raquel Pennington (4-3 MMA, 1-0 UFC)

Round 1 – Modafferi with an early kick to the legs. She pumps a jab, as well. Modafferi moving well to start, as Pennington sets up in the center. She scores with a right. Modafferi rushes forward with punches but fails to connect. Pennington kicks the leg. Punches traded in the pocket. Modafferi using her length early. Pennington lands a counter right. She’s got the power, but she had to get through the reach. Two minutes left. Pennington lands a stiff right. Modafferi stands her ground and answers. Into the clinch, as Modafferi presses forward. They battle against the cage. Pennington defends the trip and spins off the cage. Modafferi the busier fighter, but Pennington is landing the better blows. Traded sots to close, and Pennington ends with a stiff right hand. Close round, but MMAjunkie gives it to Pennington, 10-9.

Round 2 – Modafferi again busy to start,moving well and trying to use her length. She presses inside and moves into the clinch. Pennington defends well and stays upright. Pennington starting to press a little. Modafferi shakes out her arms and may be tiring. Pennington lands a right. Modafferi shoots in, but Pennington sprawls well and forces her opponent to her back. Modafferi works a high guard, throwing elbows from her back and looking for options. Pennington pushes the legs away and looks to drop shots from the top. She gets in a few punches before Modafferi again looks for options. She turns for an armbar, but Penningon patiently defends and works the limb free. Pennington stands, but she doesn’t attack, and referee Chris Tognoni stands Modafferi. Pennington goes to work to the feet in the final minute. She lands a few stiff punches, but still isn’t completely letting go. Close round, but MMAjunkie leans again toward Pennington, 10-9.

Round 3 – Modafferi gain with movement, but Pennington there to answer with cleaner technique. Pennington kicks the legs, and Modafferi shoots in, but she’s unable to secure a takedown. Modafferi kicks the body, but Pennington answers with a punch and a kick. Stiff two punches from Pennington. Modafferi rushes forward and looks for a trip, but she simply can’t do it. Pennington lands another two-punch combination. When she commit, she’s successful. Modafferi misses a tired strike, and Pennington makes her pay with more pinpoint strikes. Modafferi tries to shoot in and slow it down, but Pennington again presses her back to the floor. Pennington in top position, and Modafferi again works the legs up high in hopes of a submission. She briefly attacks the arm, but it’s not there. Pennington nails her with bodyshots. Modafferi again tries for the arm, but Pennington sin’t threatened. They crawl up to the feet, and Pennington locks in a guillotine, pressing down and looking to finish from the top. Modafferi briefly looks to perhaps tap, but they fight on. She survived until the bell, but MMAjunkie awards the third to Penington, 10-9, giving her the fight 30-27.

Result: Raquel Pennington def. Roxanne Modafferi via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Recap: Raquel Pennington gets past ‘TUF’ teammate Roxanne Modafferi
Division: Women’s bantamweight
Broadcast: FOX Sports 1
Referee: Chris Tognoni

Akira Corassani (12-3 MMA, 3-0 UFC) vs. Maximo Blanco (9-5-1 MMA, 1-2 UFC)

Round 1 – Blanco wastes little time pressing forward, and they exchange strikes before he shoots in. Corassani tries to get to his feet and takes a knee to the head. It’s clearly an illegal blow, as he had both a knee and hand on the floor. Referee Mario Yamasaki calls time. Corassani has to ask him what happened. The doctor comes in to take a look, and Corassani is ruled ineligible to continue. This fight is over. Blanco does a backflip in the cage, but he’s likely about to be disqualified unless he dodges a bullet with a no contest. He doesn’t.

Result: Akira Corassani def. Maximo Blanco via disqualification (intentional foul) – Round 1, 0:25
Recap: Illegal knee gives Akira Corassani DQ win over Maximo Blanco
Division: Featherweight
Broadcast: MMAjunkie
Referee: Mario Yamasaki

Rani Yahya (19-8 MMA, 4-2 UFC) vs. Tom Niinimaki (21-5-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC)

Round 1 – Yahya with an early low kick. He rushes forward with punches that miss before chopping the leg again. Yahya drives in on a leg and pushes Niinimaki to the floor. Niinimaki grans the neck as he falls. Yahya works it free, but Niinimaki alertly hits a sweep over to the top in the scramble. Niinimaki tries to moves past the guard but gets his left leg trapped. Niinimaki punches from the hold and then sits down to relieve the pressure. Yahya works again to the leg and rolls for the heel hook. Niinimaki spins through it and settles again in top position. Short elbows from the top for Niinimaki. Yahya locks the body and hits a nifty sweep around to the back. Niinimaki feels it and turns in to get him away before reversing the position. Niinimaki on top with one minute left. Yahya moves to his knees in an effort to change position, but Niinimaki presses him down and punches to the body. Round ends there, and MMAjunkie leans toward Niinimaki, 10-9.

Round 2 – Yahya with an early low kick. He flurries with wild punches on the feet in order to close the distance, which he does. Yahya in the clinch. Niinimaki spins off the cage and wraps the body, dragging Yahya to the floor. Yahya tries to work up, and he latches on to the neck in a scramble. Niinimaki needs to move. He rolls and switches to the side, relieving the pressure. Niinimaki controlling from the top. He’s not striking much, but he’s holding the top. Kim Winslow doesn’t see enough action and stands them. Niinimaki with a strong push kick on the restart. He moves in for a takedown, but Yahya locks in a guillotine and falls to the back. He wraps the guard, but Niinimaki presses his head don to stay safe before posturing up and pulling his head free. Niinimaki finishes the round in a slick transition to the back, and MMAjunkie awards him the round, 10-9.

Round 3 – Niinimaki pushes in on an early low kick and takes the fight immediately to the floor. He’s in side control. Yahya shrimps underneath and gains half-guard. Niinimaki uses his free leg to knee the body. Niinimaki comfortable on top. He’s trying to get is left leg free, but it won’s come. Thee minutes left, and Winslow calls for a restart. On the feet, and Yahya diving for a leg but can’t quite get hold. Niinimaki punches to the body and shoots in, but Yahya again grans the neck and rolls to the top to squeeze a guillotine. Niinimaki has half-guard, and it allows him to stay safe. He eventually pulls his head free, and Yahya works from the top. He can’t mount any real offense before the bell. MMAjunkie gives the final round to Yahya, 10-9, but awards Niinimaki the fight 29-28.

Result: Tom Niinimaki def. Rani Yahya via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)
Recap: Tom Niinimaki outgrapples Rani Yahya
Division: Featherweight
Broadcast: FOX Sports 1
Referee: Kim Winslow

Jared Rosholt (9-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC) vs. Walter Harris (4-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC)

Round 1 – Southpaw Harris takes the center. Rosholt with an early low kick. Harris patient early. Rosholt on the outside. He moves off the cage but looks to stay away from the power early. Harris rushes froward with a flurry of punches that just miss Rosholt avoids it, but he’s not so lucky just after. Big left drops Rosholt. He’s in trouble, but he somehow gets back to his feet and shakes it off. Rosholt with a front kick, and Harris answers to the body. Rosholt yet to look for a takedown. He slips a leaping left hand. Harris just looks ready to uncork at any moment. Rosholt content to box right now, which probably won’t serve him well should he continue the strategy. He finally ducks in, but Harris stands him up and just misses a huge hook. Late action from both fighters, and Rosholt eats another left. MMAjunkie scores it for Harris, 10-9.

Round 2 – Rosholt has a high kick blocked. Rosholt pumps out two jabs. He kicks the body, as well, then blocks a return shot. Harris moves forward and partially lands a high kick and a left. Rosholt absorbs it and looks to return fire. Rosholt starting to find some success. Harris still the more powerful fighter on the feet. Rosholt lands a right hand. Harris starting to slow just a bit, but he’s still dangerous. Inside leg kick fro Rosholt. Right hand blocked. Harris looking to load up on one bog shot. Rosholt’s corner wants him to press. He just misses a big knee. Rosholt controlling the center. Rosholt tries to work inside. Harris defends, and both guys bang it out in the center. Closer round, and MMAjunkie gives it to Rosholt, 10-9.

Round 3 – Crowd cheers on the heavyweights to start the third. Harris paws his jab to start. Rosholt kicks the body. He ducks down on a single-leg. He lifts the leg high and elevates his opponent, slamming him tot he floor. Big takedown. Harris wraps the left leg from half-guard. Rosholt working to hold the position. He postures and lands a few punches from the top. Harris is stuck on his back. Short elbows from the top, and Rosholt presses the elbow down on the neck. Harris can’t get off his back. Rosholt continues to drive in the occasional punch and elbow. It’s not a barrage, but it’s keeping him the position. Rosholt tries to attack the right arm, but it’s not there. Time winding down. Rosholt finishes on top, and MMAjunkie gives him the round, 10-9, awarding him the fight 29-28. It will come down to a close second round.

Result: Jared Rosholt def. Walt Harris via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Recap: Jared Rosholt mounts comeback, tops Walter Harris
Division: Heavyweight
Broadcast: FOX Sports 1
Referee: Chris Tognoni

Sean Spencer (11-2 MMA, 2-1 UFC) vs. Drew Dober (13-5 MMA, 0-1 UFC)

Round 1 – Spencer leaps forward with punches as Dober retreats. Spencer quickly pushes back with strikes of his own, looking for kicks while Spencer looks to use his range to punch. Dober drives inside for a takedown, but Spencer stands him up against the fence and eventually pulls away. Dober is quickly back in on a takedown, reaching down for a leg. Spencer defends and continues to pepper him before pulling away and landing a few stiff punches. Dober bleeding from the nose. He’s still using kicks as his primary weapon, mixing in a few knees, as well, but Spencer’s hands doing the best work. Spencer’s right hand landing frequently. Dober shoots inside, but Spencer again has no problem staying upright and tagging his opponent as they break. Spencer with a few slapping kicks before the bell, and MMAjunkie gives him the round, 10-9.

Round 2 – Spencer with an early kick to the body. Dober again drops down, looking for a leg. Spencer simply stands against the cage, eventually spinning off and breaking free to rattle off punches. Dober is happy to stand in the pocket and strike, but so far it’s Spencer who is doing the best work in those exchanges. A left hook sees Dober stagger a little. He shakes it off and continues to look for options. Spencer just a little quicker to the punch on most exchanges. Dober drives in yet again, but he’s still not finding any success at all. The action stalls against the cage, and referee Yves Lavigne calls for a restart. Dober trying to keep things tight. Spencer trying to keep space and use his length. He catches Dober coming in. Credit to Dober for his grit, and he does lands a nice uppercut. Spencer starting to get hit a little more. Still, he rifles off three solid punches. Two more land before the bell. Spencer takes it again on the MMAjunkie card, 10-9.

Round 3 - Quick start from both fighters, as they come out swinging. Dober fighting like a man who knows he’s behind. Spencer defends a takedown and wants to strike but loses his mouthpiece, so we have a brief timeout. Spencer with a nice knee inside on the restart. Straight follows and then a kick. He’s mixing it up nicely. Blood trickling from Dober’s nose. He tries again for a takedown, but Spencer just spins him off and lets his hands fly. Spencer with combinations, and a kick scores to the body. Superman punch for Spencer. he’s letting it all go. Dober is relentless, and he pushes in for a takedown. It’s just not going to happen. Dober does land a nice left as they break, but Spencer follows that up with a flurry of punches and a kick. Dober is beat up. Flying knee from Spencer. Kick to the body. He’s all over Dober, who just refuses to quit. Right cheek split open for Dober. Round ends, and it’s all Spencer, who takes the round, 10-9, on the MMAjunkie card and takes the fight 30-27.

Result: Sean Spencer def. Drew Dober via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Recap: Sean Spencer gets past stubborn Drew Dober
Division: Welterweight
Broadcast: FOX Sports 1
Referee: Yves Lavigne
Judging:

Ryan Benoit (7-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC) vs. Joshua Sampo (10-2 MMA, 1-0 UFC)

Round 1 – Benoit with an immediate two-punch combo. He follows with a quick jab, as well. Benoit chops the legs, but Sampo catches him with a stiff right hand. Benoit wobbles. Sampo sees it and moves forward and drives the action to the floor. Benoit grabs half-guard underneath. Sampo heavy on top, and he drives in a few thudding left forearm shots. Sampo looks for the back but moves to mount. Benoit scrambles during the transition and sweeps to the top. Sampo active underneath and tries to look for an omo plata. He uses it to sweep, but they end up in a wild pretzel of limbs. Referee Chris Tognoni eventually stands them, as the twisted mess doesn’t allow for offense. Both active on the restart. Benoit looking to use kicks, but he’s not punching first, and Sampo is countering well. Lead uppercut from Sampo. Benoit’s nose bloodied from the work. He fires a big haymaker that misses. Final seconds fought in a flurry, but MMAjunkie favors Sampo, 10-9.

Round 2 – Benoit again looking to bang as we start. Sampo right there to return fire, and the blood flows from his opponent’s nose again. Sampo drops down again and takes the fight to the floor. He immediately transitions into a beautiful crucifix and looks to attack the arm. He locks the legs around the head and tries for a kimura. Benoit in trouble, but he somehow survives and even moves to the top in a sweep. Sampo turns for an arm underneath, but Benoit pulls free and rolls around to the back. Incredible turn of events. Benoit looking for the rear-naked choke. Sampo patiently defends and tries to scramble free. Benoit rolls with him and stays tight on the back. Halfway mark, and Sampo picks the legs and turns, taking top position in another fantastic sweep. Fantastic grappling exchanges. Benoit with guard underneath. Sampo punches the ribs and tries to secure a keylock. It’s briefly tight, but Sampo lets it go. He moves to set up an arm-triangle but has no luck. Benoit bucks to move free, but Sampo snatches his back and instantly locks in a rear-naked choke. Beautiful move, and it’s deep. Benoit trapped and forced to tap.

Result: Joshua Sampo def. Ryan Benoit via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 4:31
Recap: Joshua Sampo taps out fellow newcomer Ryan Benoit in second round
Division: Catchweight (127 pounds, Sampo missed weight)
Broadcast: MMAjunkie
Referee: Chris Tognoni