‘The Ultimate Fighter 20’ Finale Results, Play-by-Play & Updates

Emily Kagan vs. Angela Hill

Round 1

The strawweights come together in the clinch quickly with Hill jockeying for position until Kagan breaks free. She takes the centre of the cage and wants to strike, but Hill's length and kicking game are starting to score. Hill runs back inside and clinches, landing a hard flurry that puts Kagan to the outside of the cage. Kagan's face is already starting to show significant damage. Jab, cross and a body kick land for the New Yorker, who is really busting Kagan up badly. She connects with a short shot that puts Kagan on the ground, but Kagan recovers quickly. Unfortunately for her, she recovers right into a sea of heavy knees from Hill. A head kick with punches behind it stun her. Kagan is in trouble at the bell but survives.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Hill
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Hill
Joe Ortiz scores the round 10-9 Hill

Round 2

Kagan is game as the second starts, but showing little defense as Hill scores with almost every punch or kick she throws. Hill starts operating well from range, so she steps inside to the clinch, switches it up and lands another hard knee that hurts Kagan. Kagan's right eye now streaming blood. Kagan bulls forward for a takedown, but she gets stuffed and eats more brutal knees to the head and body. “Angie Overkill” ragdolls her to the floor in defense after busting her with more heavy knees, and Kagan hops right up. She runs right back into range and eats more punches and knees from Hill. This fight is turning into a blowout. Hill lands a two-piece, then kicks from the outside up until the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-8 Hill
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Hill
Joe Ortiz scores the round 10-8 Hill

Round 3

It's more of the same in round three as the gritty Kagan tries to close the distance on the superior, rangier striker, and is punished for it. Hill scores with punches and kicks from the outside and starts working elbows in close when Kagan sat tacks. Kagan bulls into the clinch, drops for a single and finally manages to drag Hill to the mat. Hill pops back to her feet, but Kagan is desperate and wills a second takedown to existence. As Kagan tries to work, “Overkill” jumps back up to her feet again. They're right in the clinch, so Hill lands a volley of hard knees and elbows, scrambling to take Kagan's back at the final horn.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Hill (30-26 Hill)
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Hill (30-27 Hill)
Joe Ortiz scores the round 10-9 Hill (30-26 Hill)

The Official Result

Angela Hill def. Emily Kagan via Unanimous Decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-27) R3 5:00

Aisling Daly vs. Alex Chambers

Round 1

The two women come together along the side of the Octagon, Chambers getting a left underhook locked in and pressing Daly against the cage. Daly powers out, but Chambers is right there waiting with a big elbow shot that she follows with a successful takedown. Chambers is maintaining top position, as Daly tries to isolate the right arm of Chambers. Daly rolls, putting “Astro Girl” in real danger of a submission, slowly pulling the arm into a submission attempt. Chambers slips free, but Daly winds up in top position. Daly has a high mount but manages to maintain it and Chambers relinquishes her back. The Irish fighter increases her punch output, sensing an opportunity. Nice scrambling escape from Chambers, throwing an elbow on the way out. They are upright for a moment before Daly clinches and lands another trip takedown. “Ais the Bash” moves quickly into full mount and seems dedicated to the idea of an armbar. Daly attacks the arm again, turning out of mount, wrenching back on the limb and forcing Chambers to quickly tap in pain.

The Official Result

Aisling Daly def. Alex Chambers via Submission (Armbar) R1 4:53

Tecia Torres vs. Angela Magana

Round 1

Torres is her usual bouncy self, bobbing and weaving to Magana and exploding with short punches inside. Torres grazes her target with a Superman punch, but Magana circles off the cage and resets. Torres starts working her low kicks in, but Magana tags her with a jab from a well-timed jab. In response, Torres gets busy with her hands again, ducking under a Magana right hand and landing a right hook of her own. Torres is starting to figure out Magana's punching rhythm and counter her effectively. The “Tiny Tornado” comes into striking distance again with a one-two and ducks a Magana punch, giving her the chance to land a right hand that puts Magana on the mat for a second. Torres tries to follow up, but Magana is right back to her feet and staves off a takedown attempt from the clinch. Two counter left hands for Torres score in quick succession and she caps them with a side kick to the gut.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Torres
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Torres
Joe Ortiz scores the round 10-9 Torres

Round 2

Magana looks more relaxed on the feet as the second begins, but she's just pawing at the air in front of Torres, who clearly wanted to exchange. After a minute of no real striking, Torres rushes inside with three quick punches, just touching her opponent. The strawweights trade low kicks to the lead leg. Torres comes in swarming behind another three-punch combo, but she hits only air and Magana tags her with a clinch knee. Magana is trying to jab to keep Torres away, but not putting the jab on her opponent. With two minutes left in the round, Torres rushes in predictably and eats two more Magana knees. Counter right hand lands very clean for Torres, but without much sting. Magana shows a double-leg shot, but hardly seems dedicated to it and quickly bails. A double right hand for Torres scores, then a body kick and an overhand right. It was anybody's round until the last 45 seconds, now Torres is landing and forcing Magana to the defense at a crucial juncture in the round. Torres charges her again just before the horn, landing the overhand right-side kick combination.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Torres
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Torres
Joe Ortiz scores the round 10-9 Torres

Round 3

Magana pressures forward at the beginning of the third, but Torres is wise to back her up with a teep to the body. Magana starts retreating and it's there that the “Tiny Tornado” rolls up on her with a great four-punch combo, digging to the body and coming upstairs to the head. Overhand right-left hook combo lands for Torres again, as she is able to put her right hand over Magana's idle left hand at will. Magana shoots desperately, but Torres easily steps out of the attempt and makes her stand. Overhand right-side kick-head kick combo registers for Torres, showing off the speed and variety of her arsenal on an overmatched Magana. The American Top Team product lands another one-two on Magana and just grazes with a head kick behind it. Moments later, she runs forward with the exact same combination and lands again. Magana is starting to wilt with 45 seconds and Torres jumps on her with more punches and kicks. Magana tries to circle away over the last 30 seconds. Torres keeps the pressure up, kicking her body then scoring a double-leg takedown into side control just before the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Torres (30-27 Torres)
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Torres (30-27 Torres)
Joe Ortiz scores the round 10-9 Torres (30-27 Torres)

The Official Result

Tecia Torres def. Angela Magana via Unanimous Decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27) R3 5:00

Joanne Calderwood vs. Seo Hee Ham

Round 1

The much larger Calderwood takes the center of the cage and goes to work against her smaller foe, chopping with leg kicks. Ham's left hand is cocked and she lets off two quick ones that snap Calderwood's head back. Calderwood keeps working inside and outside of Ham's legs while Ham looks to let off quick lefts. Calderwood quickly gets hip to Ham's game and begins wisely jabbing off of her leg kicks to stop Ham's counterpunching efforts. Ham getting a bit frustrated with not being able to sling her usual quota of leather and Calderwood nearly catches her rushing in with a spinning back elbow. Good spinning back kick for Calderwood makes stomach contact. The Jewels standout gets to Calderwood's waist and runs her back into the fence. “Jojo” turns her around, digs with knees and forces Ham to break away and reset. Low kick-left cross scores for Ham, but Calderwood zings her with a well-timed right moments later. Calderwood moves to the collar tie after an overhand right and lands two hard knees. Right before the horn, Ham sticks Calderwood with a hard left.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Calderwood
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Calderwood
Joe Ortiz scores the round 10-9 Calderwood

Round 2

More kicking from Calderwood starts round two. Her push kicks and low kicks set up a very nice stepping knee to the liver. Ham continues to look for chances to throw left crosses down to the pipe. The South Korean is doing a better job at parrying Calderwood's lead hand now, but the Scottish fighter lands a hard standing elbow that backs Ham up. Ham lands another clean left cross to the face and Calderwood's nose is bloodied. Ham looks for a takedown and is rebuffed. Worse, Calderwood turns her around and looks to take her back standing while landing knees to the back to the legs and thighs. Calderwood whips her around and lands a hard knee upstairs, but Ham gets to her waist and tries for a takedown. “Bad Mofo Jojo” is just so much larger physically that Ham can't get anywhere with her rudimentary clinch takedowns. Jabs land for both women, but Calderwood dings Ham with a nice left cross after. Calderwood gets a rear waistlock, elevates Ham and nearly gets a takedown with 15 seconds to go. She peppers Ham with short punches, then elevates her again, slamming her before the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Calderwood
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Calderwood
Joe Ortiz scores the round 10-9 Calderwood

Round 3

Calderwood lands a strong overhand right, followed by a spinning back kick. Ham tries to grab a hold of her tormentor, but Calderwood spins her into the cage, presses her to the fence and rips her with knees to the body. Ham breaks away, but eats a right hand and a body knee on her next approach. Calderwood runs her back to the cage again, controlling her wrists and landing high knees to Ham's face. “Hamderlei” gets an underhook and is able to control Calderwood, getting a breather. They break away, but Calderwood rips her with a spinning back elbow, then a beautiful teep straight to the face. Ham's hurt and tries to clinch, but Calderwood ragdolls her to the mat, straight into side control with head-and-arm position. Ham realizes the predicament she's in and launches her arm-triangle choke defense. Calderwood instead passes to full mount and takes the back, ripping Ham with left hands to the ear. Ham rolls and tries to shake Calderwood, but “Jojo” keeps pouring it on until the final horn.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Calderwood (30-27 Calderwood)
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Calderwood (30-27 Calderwood)
Joe Ortiz scores the round 10-9 Calderwood (30-27 Calderwood)

The Official Result

Joanne Calderwood def. Seo Hee Ham via Unanimous Decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27) R3 5:00

Bec Rawlings vs. Heather Clark

Round 1

They meet in the clinch almost immediately, where Rawlings drills Clark with two knees before they separate. At range, Rawlings goes to work with front and low kicks. Clark rushes Rawlings, catches her up high and drives her into the mat with gusto. Rawlings quickly throws up her hips from the bottom, initiates a scramble and gets to her knees. Clark boxes her ears and tries to take the back, but “Rowdy” works to her feet and lands a hard elbow inside. Both women are active in the clinch but for whatever reason, referee Yves Lavigne breaks them up. They go right back into the phone booth, jostling with over-unders. Rawlings lands a right uppercut followed by a flurry that gets Clark's attention. Clark turns her around and tries to drop for a takedown, but is controlled by the larger woman holding an overhook. Rawlings gets a headlock and sweeps Clark's outer leg for the throw, but almost gives up her back on the floor. Clark can only get one hook before the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Rawlings
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Clark
Jeff Miller scores the round 10-9 Clark

Round 2

Clark lands a sharp right cross on Rawlings, who retaliates with a left hook. They come together in the clinch again and once more, Rawlings goes for a headlock throw. Clark sees it coming this time and rolls with it, landing right in side control. She grinds with elbows, so Rawlings looks to scramble. The “Rowdy Bec” exposes her back and Clark takes it with both hooks this time at the halfway point of the round. Rawlings tries to explode and roll but can't get free. Clark digs for the choke and goes palm-to-palm. The choke isn't deep but she's cranking Rawling's jaw and face. Rawlings gets free, tripods up and tries to shake Clark over the top. Clark shows good balance and traps Rawlings arm, hedging her position on a potential armbar if she slips. Clark is slick, sits up and regains her balance. Rawlings takes a look at the clock with 30 seconds as Clark keeps digging for choke attempts. Rawlings goes belly down and eats sound short punches before the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Clark
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Clark
Jeff Miller scores the round 10-9 Clark

Round 3

Rawlings is immediately aggressive, walking Clark down and attacking with leg kicks and big hooks upstairs. A short right uppercut for Rawlings lands on the inside, and she lands another good one moments later in a combination. Clark is indulging Rawlings and exchanging, but losing the punching battle. Clark finally gets wise to this with three minutes to fight and drives Rawlings into the fence, looking for a takedown. Rawlings lands a knee up high while crossfacing Clark away from her. Clark can't advance her position, so referee Yves Lavigne splits them again. On the restart, Rawlings lands a clean right and a flying knee. Clark touches the Aussie with a right of her own, but Rawlings comes right back with another bigger, harder flurry. Clark clinches with just over a minute to fight but Rawlings pushes her away and lands two front kicks. Clark runs forward and lands every bit of a four-punch combination on Rawlings, who is caught napping with her hands down. Rawlings now bleeding from the mouth as Clark runs her to the cage again. Rawlings stuffs it and lands knees to the body before the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Rawlings (29-28 Rawlings)
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Rawlings (29-28 Clark)
Jeff Miller scores the round 10-9 Rawlings (29-28 Clark)

The Official Result

Heather Clark def. Bec Rawlings via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) R3 5:00

Felice Herrig vs. Lisa Ellis

Round 1

Ellis clinches Herrig as soon as “Lil' Bulldog” punches her way to her. Ellis hits a beautiful headlock throw right into side control, prompting Herrig to scramble. She jumps up to her feet, only to get trapped in a hard standing guillotine. Ellis torques it, but opts not to jump guard. She knees Herrig from the hold, but breaking her grip allows Herrig to run her off balance and tackle her to the mat, setting up shop in half guard. Herrig tries to force a guard pass while pounding away and winds up getting swept. Ellis has no time to set up in top position, however, as Herrig quickly throws up a triangle and sweeps to mount. The triangle itself is not super tight, but Ellis is now getting pounded on. Herrig tries to extend her arm vertically, but Ellis scrambles and rolls. Herrig goes to her back and tries to tighten the triangle, but Ellis takes her time, creates space and sneaks out. However, Herrig rolls through and claims top position in the scramble. Ellis scores with elbows from her back, then looks for an omoplata on Herrig's right arm. Herrig punches her way through the attempt and gets back on top, passing to the far side and trying to get side control. She can't quite get there, but lands some hard left elbows instead.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Herrig
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Herrig
Jeff Miller scores the round 10-9 Herrig

Round 2

Ellis goes for another headlock throw the moment the two women come together, but she blows the attempt and Herrig winds up on top in her half guard. Ellis shrimps away and gets to her feet, driving through on a takedown of her own. However, it's the same as round one: Ellis can't hold the position as Herrig easily sweeps her and winds up in her half guard again. “Lil' Bulldog” really pressures Ellis on top, opening up the pass to full mount. Ellis turns and gives up her back, trying to shake Herrig over the top. Herrig grasps Ellis' right arm and tries to lock it up in the scramble, but Ellis stays patient, freeing her elbow before trying to yank it out. However, she winds up ensnared in another loose triangle during the scramble, which turns into a more serious armbar attempt. Ellis tries to stand up out of it, but Herrig has great control on the arm, yanks it away from Ellis' body and forces her belly down. It's just a moment later that the Washingtonian is forced to tap.

The Official Result

Felice Herrig def. Lisa Ellis via Submission (Armbar) R2 3:05

Randa Markos vs. Jessica Penne

Round 1

Markos crams two jabs into Penne's face the minute she engages, but in the clinch, Penne sweeps her outer leg and hurls her to the mat with a beautiful throw, landing on top in half guard. Penne steps out Markos' guard, then zigzags across her torso into full mount for a brief moment. Penne's beautiful guard passing is partially thwarted by running into the fence, allowing Markos to scramble up. Penne stays glued to her foe and drags her back to the mat again, instantly showing heavy top pressure and cutting through Markos' guard. The former Invicta FC champion achieves full mount again, away from the fence this time. Markos twists and turns while shrimping, forcing Penne off of her, then winning the scramble. Markos lands some hammerfists on top of Penne before standing up and kicking her legs from Ali-Inoki position. Penne kicks at Markos from her back, but can't stop Markos from hopping into guard. The Iraqi-born Canadian is quickly in danger of a Penne triangle, but she drives her knee inside and breaks Penne's posture. Penne boxes Markos up before throwing up a slick gogoplata attempt. Markos sees it quick and jumps out of it, but Penne smoothly picks her Achilles and trips her, taking top position again with 30 seconds to go. After a very active round, Penne chills out for the rest of the round, punching away at Markos' ribs. The horn ends a fantastic round and Markos stands, revealing her a long slash over her right eyelid.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Penne
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Penne
Jeff Miller scores the round 10-9 Penne

Round 2

Penne wades into striking distance lazily and Markos pops her with a right uppercut on two occasions. A Superman punch from Markos makes contact but is largely blocked. A lazy Penne low kick is caught, Markos trips her, smashes her with a right and resumes kicking her legs from Ali-Inoki position again. Penne scoots to her feet on her own and walks Markos down again. Big overhand rights both women just miss. Deep breaths by Markos at the seven-minute mark of the fight. Markos explodes with two big hooks that just miss, then comes back with fives punches that push Penne across the cage. Markos is still taking deep breaths, but is timing her big right hands well on the approaching Penne. She fades back off of a Penne jab, then puts a right-handed piston into her jaw, wobbling the Californian. Another soft Penne low kick lets Markos trip her to the ground and power her to the mat, where she takes full mount in the blink of an eye. Penne reacts quickly, rolling her over and slowly extricating herself. It's Penne in top control with a minute to go in the round. She gets away with two big fence grabs as she stands atop Markos before referee Herb Dean gives her a shouting. Penne settles into half guard along the fence, landing solid ground-and-pound and moving into a partial crucifix just before the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Markos
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Markos
Jeff Miller scores the round 10-9 Markos

Round 3

Penne is still pressuring as the final frame begins, but walks into two spinning back fists from Markos, the second of which makes substantial contact. Penne with a clean right cross, Markos counters with an uppercut. The exact same sequence plays out with the same punches just moments later. Markos continues to opt to take the outside, waiting and exploding. She sends another half dozen punches at Penne, but succeeds only in running into knees from Penne. They seem to wake Markos up, as she comes back with two hard right hands. “Quiet Storm” lands two lunging right crosses, prompting a double-leg takedown from Penne. Penne's successful, dumping her foe against the fence and working from full guard. Markos throws her hips up for an armbar, but Penne escapes and passes to side control along the fence, pounding Markos and threatening a pass to the back. Penne digs for the choke and squeezes before securing position, but in forcing the Iraqi-Canadian to defend, she gets back on top and quickly cuts through her guard. Penne nearly achieves full mount with under a minute to go, but Markos escapes and throws up and inverted triangle from the bottom. She has it locked on, but Penne has decent posture to defend it. Markos tries to torque her arm, but Penne waits it out until the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Penne (29-28 Penne)
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Penne (29-28 Penne)
Jeff Miller scores the round 10-9 Penne (29-28 Penne)

The Official Result

Jessica Penne def. Randa Markos via Split Decision (30-27, 29-28, 28-29) R3 5:00

Joe Proctor vs. Yancy Medeiros

Round 1

Medeiros comes out popping the left jab in Proctor's face, pressuring constantly. Proctor flashes his left hook in response but isn't loading up on yet. Instead, the Massachusetts native has success with leg kicks while Medeiros puts the jab in his face. The rangy Hawaiian starts putting crafty right hands behind his jab now, snapping Proctor's head back. A lead right hand moves Proctor back, then Medeiros lands a partial spinning back kick. Proctor returns with a spinning back kick of his own a moment later and Medeiros complains it strayed low. Referee Yves Lavigne says nothing, so Medeiros weathers the storm, shakes off the possible groin strike and gets back to work. He throws another spinning back kick, then lands a right hand. Proctor cracks him with a right and Medeiros smiles, beckoning him to come on. Proctor times Medeiros winding up on a left hook, and turns him around with a low kick. Medeiros fakes a knee, then lands another spinning back kick and this one lands firm. Proctor stumbles back to the fence after the pain registers and the Hawaiian is all over him with both hands, ripping him with hooks. Proctor crumbles to his seat and tries to shoot, but Medeiros locks up a quick guillotine. Proctor struggles along the fence briefly, but he's trapped and forced to tap.

The Official Result

Yancy Medeiros def. Joe Proctor via Submission (Guillotine Choke) R1 4:37

Daron Cruickshank vs. K.J. Noons

Round 1

Heavy kicking from both fighters to start the contest. Both men work each others legs until Cruickshank runs in with a punch rush that moves Noons back across the cage. Right head kick from Cruickshank, then a left kick to the body. On the next punching exchange, Noons tries to push Cruickshank away and inadvertently pokes him in the right eye. Referee John McCarthy calls for a quick break for Cruickshank in a matter of seconds, we're off and running. Noons lands two hard lefts immediately, testing the vision of Cruickshank's right eye. “The Detroit Sueprstar” fires back ably, then ducks under and slams Noons to the mat despite the former EliteXC champion grabbing the fence. Noons pops back up and gets free, so Cruickshank gets back to working low kicks and now, push kicks. At the halfway part of the round, Cruickshank dives in on a low single and gets it, but can't control “King Karl” and lets his man get back to his feet. Noons tries a lunging knee and walks into a right hook. Moments later, he tries the same attack and eats two more right hands, though he manages to land a right of his own in the exchange. Cruickshank goes southpaw, whipping a kick to the body, then to the head of Noons. Noons switches stances briefly and while he does so, Cruickshank hits him with a side kick to the guts. Noons walks into a big right hand from Cruickshank again, but lands a hard knee of his own.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Cruickshank
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Cruickshank
Jeff Miller scores the round 10-9 Cruickshank

Round 2

Noons pressures Cruickshank immediately and as the Detroit fighter tries to sit down and explode with his punches, Noons' pinky finger goes straight into his left eye this time. Cruickshank retreats in pain, motioning to John McCarthy that he's been poked. Noons is looking to attack, but Cruickshank gets the referee's attention and is able to get a break. There's two cuts around the left eye created by the poke and Cruickshank is wincing as McCarthy calls for the doctor. McCarthy asks the ringside physician to give Cruickshank a moment, but the doctor says Cruickshank can't see. McCarthy asks the fighter directly “Can you see?” and Cruickshank tells him “No.” Unfortunately, that's the end of this one.

The Official Result

Daron Cruickshank vs. K.J. Noons is declared a No Contest (Accidental Eye Poke) R2 0:25

Jeremy Stephens vs. Charles Oliveira

Round 1

Oliveira closes the distance behind an overhand right and tries to drag the fight to the mat. He can't get a takedown, so he just pulls guard along the fence and swings his hips for an armbar. He's got Stephens' arm, but he's can't turn his elbow the right way, so “Lil' Heathen” picks him up and powerbombs him to try to break out of the armbar. Stephens buys himself a little space, but Oliveira still has a hold of his arm and is punching and elbowing his face. Stephens stacks Oliveira and is trying to slip his elbow out, but Oliveira is torquing just enough of the arm to keep him stuck. Stephens is feeling the pain and shrinks to his knees a bit, but manages to finally extricate himself after two-and-a-half minutes defending an armbar. Stephens tries to pound away, but “do Bronx” elbows from guard and threatens with his legs, so Stephens opts to stand up with 90 seconds to go. The Brazilian chases Stephens down to the fence, landing a clean inside elbow, but Stephens circles off the cage. Stephens starting to load up on a wild right hands, so Oliveira responds a spinning back fist, which is mostly blocked. Right hook-left head kick from Oliveira is absorbed on the arms of Stephens at the round's end.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Oliveira
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Oliveira
Jeff Miller scores the round 10-9 Oliveira

Round 2

Oliveira unloads a flying switch-step head kick which Stephens blocks, then goes downstairs with a hard low kick which the American is forced to absorb. Oliveira runs him into the cage, jockeying for a takedown, allowing Stephens to elbow him to the head. However, Stephens gets too enamoured with the elbows and Oliveira sucks him off the cage, gets on top and quickly gets to back control. Oliveira locks in the body triangle and the physical toll of “do Bronx's” grappling is clear on Stephens' face. The Brazilian suddenly throws his right leg over Stephens' face and transitions to an armbar. “Lil' Heathen” keeps his hands clasped tight for a a minute and when Oliveira breaks his grip, he grits out the armbar, turns his hips and comes out over the top. Great toughness and defense from Jeremy Stephens. Two minutes left in the round and Oliveira, who came in overweight, has yet to slow down. He runs Stephens right back to the cage, gets a front headlock and gets busy with knees. Stephens starts putting his hand on the ground, so Oliveira jumps a figure-four guillotine and uses it to sweep to top position. Stephens tries to snake up the fence and Oliveira takes his back once again, then steps over his face for yet another armbar. Stephens stacks him quickly and gets out of real danger, popping his elbow out and punching away until the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-8 Oliveira
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Oliveira
Jeff Miller scores the round 10-9 Oliveira

Round 3

Oliveira trots at Stephens and eats a hard right that forces him to the butt scoot. Stephens kicks his legs but lets his man retake his feet. Oliveira runs Stephens backwards again, where Stephens surprises him with a kimura attempt. The Brazilian escapes it and takes top position for just a moment along the cage, before Stephens slides back up and retakes his feet. “Do Bronx” keeps the pace up, glancing with a spinning hook kick upstairs, then shooting in. Stephens defends and lands a right hand on the exit. Oliveira shoots again, tries to roll into guard, but Stephens shrugs him off again and makes him stand. Oliveira is relentless, getting in on another double-leg takedown, pinching Stephens' knees and dumping him against the fence. The Brazilian gets past Stephens' guard and tries to lock up a brabo choke with a deep overhook, but Stephens powers out and forces Oliveira to his back. Oliveira tries to bait him to the ground, so Stephens smacks him with a heavy right hand, then soccer kicks is ribs before telling referee Herb Dean to make Oliveira stand. Oliveira continues to press forward with long right hands and kicks and he's landing. Stephens swings and cracks him with a two-punch combo, so “do Bronx” clinches and pulls guard with under a minute to go in the fight. Stephens elbows away from full guard while Oliveira tries to trap his opponent's arms. Stephens punches his way through it, stands and then dives back into guard with another crushing right. Oliveira rolls and Stephens tries to take the back as time expires.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Stephens (29-27 Oliveira)
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Oliveira (30-27 Oliveira)
Jeff Miller scores the round 10-9 Stephens (29-28 Oliveira)

The Official Result

Charles Oliveira def. Jeremy Stephens via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28) R3 5:00

UFC Strawweight Title Fight:
Carla Esparza vs. Rose Namajunas

Round 1

Namajunas immediately gets in Esparza's face with in-out movement, stalking and attacking with one-twos. Esparza sneaks in a quick right-handed counter on the advancing Namajunas, but “Thug Rose” cracks her with a jumping head kick. Esparza shoots and dumps the charging Namajunas on the mat, opening up with both hands, but Namajunas scrambles right back to her eet and cracks her with a right hand on the exit. Furious pace in the opening 60 seconds. Namajunas' forward pressure is constant, darting in with volleys of punches and head kicks. A spinning back fist from Namajunas cracks Esparza in the face. Esparza charges in with a powerful double-leg takedown, but Namajunas pops right up off the mat and keeps the heat on the Californian. Switch-step jumping head kick from Namajunas, then a shot to the body. She barrels forward at Esparza, but Esparza lands a right hand circles away. With just under 90 seconds to go in the round, Esparza times a Namajunas knee and dumps her on the mat. She postures up and wings away with punches, but Namajunas avoids most of them. Esparza keeps punching away, but Namajunas kicks her away and retakes her feet with a minute left. Esparza misses a right hand and Namajunas tries to reap her foot, but just misses. She settles for the clinch, where Esparza opens up with some knees of her own. Esparza hears the 10-second clapper, shoots a double and succeeds. Excellent first round to the UFC's first ever women's strawweight title bout.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Esparza
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-10
Jeff Miller scores the round 10-9 Esparza

Round 2

Namajunas' forward pressure is there immediately, running Esparza back to the fence and scoring with knees. Esparza drives Namajunas to the mat again, opening up with heavy punches and forcing “Thug Rose” to scramble. Namajunas is able to regain her feet under fire from Esparza and circle away. At the halfway mark of the round, Namajunas shoots in, gets denied and worse, Esparza flips her to her back. Namajunas shows an active guard and threatens with upkicks but Esparza remains incredibly physical on top, darting into her guard, threatening the pass and constantly landing short punches and elbows. With 90 seconds in the round, Namajunas slows Esparza down with butterfly guard, but the respite is brief. Esparza tries to power her way to side control with under a minute to go, landing right elbows on her journey. Namajunas tries to kick her away, but the Team Oyama product keeps punching and passes to full mount. Namajunas covers up, but Esparza lands a series of hand rights that force her to give up her back. The horn saves Namajunas from more damage from the increasingly effective Esparza.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Esparza
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-8 Esparza
Jeff Miller scores the round 10-9 Esparza

Round 3

Just 10 seconds into the round, Esparza catches a Namajunas teep and dumps her on the mat. Esparza fights Namajunas' constantly kicking, endlessly fighting for the pass and eventually forcing Namajunas to expose her back. Esparza takes the back with both hooks less than a minute into the round, boxing Namajunas' ears and securing the body triangle. “Cookie Monster” digs for the choke and figure fours her arms. She doesn't quite have it, but she keeps squeezing and adjusting, eventually slipping her arm under Namajunas' chin and tightening the choke. Namajunas taps. Carla Esparza is the winner of “The Ultimate Fighter” Season 20, and the first UFC women's strawweight champion.

The Official Result

Carla Esparza def. Rose Namajunas via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) R3 1:26