Episode No. 12 recap: 'The Ultimate Fighter 21: ATT vs. Blackzilians'

American Top Team (top) and the Blackzilians

Episode No. 12 of “The Ultimate Fighter 21: ATT vs. Blackzilians” opens with UFC President Dana White setting the scene for the final episode of the season. The teams are tied and the final 100-point fight will determine the winner.

Focus shifts to the Blackzilians, who are trying to avoid a late-season collapse after holding a 300-100 advantage in points. Team owner Glenn Robinson barks a motivational speech to the team then selects Vicente Luque to represent the Blackzilians in the final bout.

Team ATT is forced to make the same decision in terms of a representative, but it comes far easier. Hayder Hassan is the obvious choice. Hassan is the only competitor to go 2-0 in fights so far this season and has been arguably the most impressive fighter from either team.

The official weigh-in follows, and Luque and Hassan learn they’ll be fighting each other in the season-deciding bout. Both fighters successfully make the 170-pound welterweight limit and the matchup is official.

The fighters finalize their preparation and game plan and the 12th and final tournament bout is underway.

Vicente Luque (7-4) vs. Hayder Hassan (6-1)

Round 1 – Both fighters start aggressive. They meet in the center of the octagon and throw wild combinations with punches and kicks. They begin to settle and Hassan controls the pace with his jab and leg kicks. Luque does a good job countering the jab with his right hook. Hassan gets too aggressive and Luque lands a big punch that stuns Hassan. Hassan is wobbled but continues to press forward and pump his jab. Luque lands a body kick then a left hook. Luque lands a huge uppercut, but somehow Hassan absorbs it and stays upright. Luque is the faster fighter with his punches and lands another stinging uppercut followed by a leg kick. Hassan is relying almost exclusively on his jab and eats a big knee from Luque up the middle. Luque completes a double leg takedown and gets on top of Hassan. Hassan hip escapes and gets back to his feet, but Luque keeps him trapped against the fence. Luque tries to take the back but Hassan shakes him off and lands an elbow on the break. The action slows a bit near the end of the round. Both fights continue to throw decent volume before the bell sounds.

Round 2 – Hassan immediately throws out his jab to start the round. Hassan slips off a kick attempt but Luque can’t capitalize. Luque appears to be the fresher fighter and he controls the center of the octagon. Hassan won’t give up, though, and he continues to throw massive power punches behind his jab. Luque throws a combination that misses but he lands a body kick at the end of it. He follows with a stepping knee that grazes Hassan on the chin. The output rate has slowed significantly from both sides. Hassan keeps up with the power shots, but can’t find his range on a fight-shifting blow. Luque, on the other hand, continues to counter and rack up points with body and leg kicks. Hassan’s jab is his most effective weapon as it keeps Luque at bay. Hassan lands a nice right hook that forced Luque to back up and regroup. The action picks up again in the final 30 seconds of the round. Many heavy shots are thrown before Luque attempts a final takedown Hassan stuffs it and the bell sounds.

The judges declare the fight a draw after two rounds and a sudden-victory round will determine the winning fighter.

Round 3 – Hassan lands a series of jabs to open the final round. He throws a leg kick then escapes Luque power shots. Luque drives for a takedown, but Hassan shows good hips and denies the initial entry. Luque keeps at it, though, and briefly grounds Hassan before he shoots back to his feet and breaks free. Momentum in the striking exchanges tilt to Hassan’s side. The jab continues to be his best punch of the fight, and he’s able to land it at will. Luque is hesitant to throw hands and most of his offense comes from body and leg kicks. Luque completes another takedown. Hassan gets back up, but Luque drags him down again. Hassan won’t have any of it, though, and him escapes into empty space so he can stand back up. With less than one minute left, Hassan presses forward and wings massive hooks. Luque stays patient and sneaks in his counters. Hassan’s aggression plays against him as Luque gets ahold of a leg, but Hassan stops the takedown as the round comes to an end.

Hayder Hassan def. Vicente Luque via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Hassan completes the incredible comeback for ATT and earns the team its third consecutive victory. The gym erupts in celebration for Hassan’s third win of the season and ATT wins the competition by a point count of 400-300. Victory comes with a prize of $200,000.

White believes the Blackzilians let the season slip away, but praises the final fight between Hassan and Luque.

The competition isn’t entirely over. Each coach has the option to select one fighter to represent his team Sunday at The Ultimate Fighter 21 Finale at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Garden Arena. The winner gets the “TUF 21? trophy as well as a $300,000 prize for his team.

Both teams gather in the final scene of the season. ATT’s Lambert informs White that he’d like the $200,000 prize to be donated to the Wounded Warriors Project, a charity that helps aid military veterans after they return home from service.

Robinson selects Usman to represent the Blackzilians. Lambert selects Hassan for ATT, and with that, the finale is set and “TUF 21? is in the books.

Also see:

Catch new episodes of “The Ultimate Fighter 21: ATT vs. Blackzilians” every Wednesday at 10 p.m. ET (7 p.m. PT) on FOX Sports 1. MMAjunkie recaps each episode of the reality series.

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