After a crushing defeat in the semi-finals of TUF 28, Leah Letson bounced back at the finale on Friday, holding on to earn a split decision victory over castmate Julija Stoliarenko.
Ultimate Fighter 28 semi-finalists Leah Letson and Julija Stoliarenko got a chance to enter the octagon Friday night, as they opened up the TUF 28 Finale televised card. Letson suffered a heart-breaking stoppage loss in the final episode of the reality series, while Stoliarenko went to a decision against Pannie Kianzad.
Redemption was on the line for one fighter.
Stoliarenko opened with a low kick to Letson’s boxing approach but Julija was soon moving forward with spinning attacks. Within the first minute, Leah Letson had a bloodied eye. Stoliarenko attacked with a second spinning back fist. A clash of legs resulted in Stoliarenko going down in a slip, but she quickly popped back up. Letson, meanwhile, was looking to land her left hand, forcing her opponent to the outside. After the fast start, however, the pair settled down, and headed to a second frame. That would favor Letson.
Round two saw another spinning backfist from Julija Stoliarenko, but the attempts were starting to look a little more telegraphed. Not a great idea, and Letson was able to continually keep her opponent on the outside. Stoliarenko did catch a kick, looking for a takedown, but was forced to let go of it. Despite an emotional loss in the semi-finals on TUF 28, Letson was looking cool, calm and collected by the midway mark, while Stoliarenko shot a takedown that came with little to no setup. On her next takedown attempt, Letson simply pushed Stoliarenko off. Stoliarenko laid back in guard, inviting her opponent in, but Letson wisely declined.
Round three saw the tables turned. Stoliarenko finally got the fight to the ground, landing a trip shortly after Letson had stuffed a takedown. Stoliarenko caught Letson in a guillotine, and that was a scare for the American. Bloodied, she looked in trouble for a moment, but Letson toughed it out, pulled free, and was able to stay on top, in guard, until the ref stood the pair up with just under forty seconds to go. Letson got her hands going. So too did Stoliarenko. Letson tried for a superman punch, and they traded to the bell.
When it came time for the scorecards, Letson had the edge. “It’s truly amazing. I’ve been dreaming about this moment for the last six year,” she said after the fight. Where she ends up, at featherweight or bantamweight, will be the next question.
Leah Letson def. Julija Stoliarenko by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
