The Ultimate Fighter 25 finale went down tonight, featuring a main event of Justin Gaethje making his UFC debut against Michael Johnson, and a co-main event TUF 25 final round of Dhiego Lima vs. Jesse Taylor. After the early prelims on Fight Pass (which due to the cancellation of Ladd vs. Eye wound up being just a single bout), the Fox Sports 1 preliminary card gave fight fans four bouts to digest before main card action got underway.
Due to the Ladd vs. Eye cancellation, Tecia Torres and Juliana Lima were bumped up to the televised card. Would the Tiny Tornado’s acceptance of this short notice strawweight fight pay off?
Tecia Torres vs. Juliana Lima
Both fighters exchanged kicks early in the first, but Lima was able to capitalize after catching a Torres kick, dumping her on her back. Torres, however, powered back up and controlled Lima with a head lock as Lima pressed her into the fence. Reversing position, Torres worked to take her opponent down against the cage. No dice, and another couple of reversals didn’t seem to give either woman much of an advantage, though Torres spent a little more time in control. Eventually, the ref restarted the action, and both fighters stayed light on their feet, trading kicks and combos until Torres had Lima backed up against teh cage and again went for a single leg. Both women dropped for a moment, but popped back up in a flash.
In round two Torres again came out as the aggressor, pushing Lima back as Lima opted to counter-punch. A Lima shot in wound up being a mistake early in the second as Torres was quickly able to take the back and lock in the rear-naked choke deep! It wasn’t long before Lima was tapping, and Torres had her first submission (and stoppage) win!
Tecia Torres def. Juliana Lima by submission (rear-naked choke), Round 2, 0:53
Ed Herman vs. C.B. Dollaway
Herman threw a huge right hand that connected with the side of Dollaway’s head early. Dollaway managed to maintain his composure and wind up in top control, with Herman looking to land an upkick and snag an arm from the bottom. Dollaway then stacked Herman up against the fence and land body shots and short elbows. Herman was active from his back, but Dollaway was much more effective from the top, and maintained positional dominance, landing in side control later in the round and working for a kimura. Herman was able to defend, but was too busy defending to be able to do much damage.
In the second a tired Herman landed again early, but didn’t have quite as much mustard on his punches. However, a looping right by Herman after a high kick by Dollaway dropped Dollaway to the canvas, but not for long. Both men were looking tired, and Herman again managed to knock Dollaway down, though it may have been more of a stumble. Herman landed in top control, but Dollaway went for a heel hook almost immediately. Herman broke free and dropped a big right from above. Herman would control most of the round from the top, and it appeared heading into the third that we’d be in a sudden death situation.
Round three saw Dollaway take Herman down early, while Herman tried to counter with a guillotine to no avail. Dollaway moved to half guard, and Herman needed to be careful that he wasn’t mounted. Herman then tried for a kimura, which Dollaway was able to fight free of. Herman needed to find a way to his feet, but looked too tired to explode up, while Dollaway was successful landing some hard elbows from the top. It would go to the scorecards, with Dollaway taking the decision!
C.B. Dollaway def. Ed Herman by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-27, 29-27)
James Krause vs. Tom Gallicchio
Gallicchio pushed the pace early, but Krause was able to connect with a front kick. Gallicchio made no mistake, however, and got the action to the ground, with Krause employing a high guard. Krause got back to his feet but gave up his back, with Gallicchio on him like a leech. Kruase managed to break free, and they were back on the feet. A high kick from Krause was partially blocked, and Krause’s jab started to find its range. For the remainder of the round, Krause was able to land almost at will, with Gallicchio trying to shoot in but unable to convert.
In the second, Gallicchio was eating jabs and rights, ducked under a punch and shot in but couldn’t land the takedown. Gallicchio actually added a little head movement and connected with a couple of right hands high on Krause, but for the most part, it was still James Krause connecting with more shots, and cleaner shots. Gallicchio was bloodied by the end of the round, but was still gamely coming forward. Krause landed a big uppercut to the body that seemed go give Gallicchio pause, but he kept right on going and we’d go to a third.
Round three saw Gallicchio looking overwhelmed, shooting another desperate single leg that Krause was able to easily walk away from. Gallicchio finally managed to get inside on Krause in the third, but was unable to connect with anything. Krause employed a little taunting towards the end of the round, trying to goad Gallicchio into rushing in, but Gallicchio actually managed to connect with a solid right. That said, Krause connected far more once again and added a big head kick towards the end of the round followed by a knee to put the exclamation point on the affair.
James Krause def. Tom Gallicchio by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Angela Hill vs. Ashley Yoder
Former Invicta FC champ Angela Hill topped off the Fox Sports 1 Prelim card, against Ashley Yoder. Hill dictated the pace early and landed a solid right, while Yoder answered with a takedown. Hill quickly backed up to the cage while Yoder swung around her body with a body lock on and lived up to her “Spider Monkey” nickname. They would untangle, and Hill once against pressed the action. From this point, Hill was able to land a number of unanswered right hands and leg kicks. When Yoder did connect, it was often single shots, with little in the way of combinations being fired off. Hill, in contrast, began putting more and more together as the round wore on.
Yoder immediately shot and landed a takedown to start the second round, and moved into half guard despite some spirited scrambling from Hill. Yoder was able to control from this position for about ninety seconds, but as Hill finally escaped, Yoder made a critical mistake, briefly gave up her back then wound up with Hill in her guard. Hill would herself control from the top for a bit, before the two found their way back to the feet, with Hill showing a high kick and more combos. That would take us to the third.
Yoder would again start the third looking for a takedown, but gave up her back and allowed Hill to look for a submission. However, Yoder would recover and continue working on the takedown, pulling Hill’s legs out from under her as Hill tried to pull free. Back on the feet, Hill pushed her opponent up against the cage before they broke and moved back to the center of the octagon. This was clearly Hill’s comfort zone, and she pushed forward while Yoder again looked for a takedown. Yoder’s attempt, however, was stuffed, and Hill converted a takedown of her own. They would finish the fight on the feet however, with Hill getting the better of the exchanges.
Angela Hill def. Ashley Yoder by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
The Ultimate Fighter 25 Finale Fox Sports 1 Preliminary Card Results
Angela Hill def. Ashley Yoder by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
James Krause def. Tom Gallicchio by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
C.B. Dollaway def. Ed Herman by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-27, 29-27)
Tecia Torres def. Juliana Lima by submission (rear-naked choke), Round 2, 0:53
