Ultimate Fighter 23 light heavyweight winner Andrew Sanchez looked to get back in the win column Friday at the TUF 26 Finale.
The UFC was looking to see if a former TUF winner could right the ship at the Ultimate Fighter 26 Finale in Las Vegas, NV on Friday. Andrew Sanchez, who won the 23rd season of the reality fighting series, was booked to face Ryan Janes at the event. Sanchez, who had won his first two UFC bouts including the TUF 23 Finale, was coming off a loss to Anthony Smith heading into the night.
Canada’s Ryan Janes, meanwhile, was looking to shake off a two-fight losing streak. With losses to Gerald Meerschaert and Jack Marshman, his back was against the wall.
Early in the first, Sanchez came out with a low stance, throwing overhand rights. He’d follow one with a big kick to the body, and despite winning the battle on the feet, would later look for a takedown. It wouldn’t last, but back on the feet, Sanchez was connecting again. Janes would answer back with a right, but Sanchez would then score a knockdown! Sanchez landed clean with both lefts and rights. It looked like Janes might be done, as he ate some follow up shots and looked out on his feet, but the ref let it continue, and somehow, Janes survived. Sanchez was in danger of punching himself out.
In the second, Janes looked to be the fresher fighter, and landed a good knee coming in. Sanchez, still looking a bit tired, connected with a right again, and looked for a takedown. Janes used a guillotine to keep himself upright. The bout soon devolved into a sloppy brawl, and Janes began to land more, putting Sanchez in a similar spot to where Janes was in round one. Sanchez, however, managed to avoid serious damage and land a takedown. On the way up Janes landed a knee to the head. A left hook would then wobble Sanchez.
In round three the pair would clinch early and continue trading. Janes wobbled Sanchez, who covered up along the fence, eventually falling to one knee. The ref had seen enough, and called it — what a comeback by Ryan Janes!
Ryan Janes def. Andrew Sanchez by TKO, Round 3, 0:58
