The TUF 28 Finale kicked off Friday in Las Vegas with veteran Tim Means looking to snap a two-fight skid against Bellator alum Ricky Rainey.
The latest Ultimate Fighter edition wound down this week, and Friday night, the finale took place live in Las Vegas, NV. Two ultimate fighter champions would be crowned at the TUF 28 Finale, airing live on Fox Sports 1. First, however, came preliminary action, featuring a three-fight offering including the veteran Tim Means, plus Roosevelt Roberts taking on Darrell Horcher in the featured fight category.
Means, who would be entering into his 40th pro fight on the night, was tasked with taking on former Bellator fighter Ricky Rainey. A veteran of Bellator MMA best known for losing efforts against Michael Page and Chidi Njokuani, Rainey was hoping to get back in the win column after losing his UFC debut opposite Muslim Salikov.
Like Rainey, Means was coming off a loss, two in fact. 1-3 in his last four, Means had dropped fights to Alex Oliveira, Belal Muhammad, and Sergio Moraes. His lone win in that span came against Alex Garcia.
Bantamweight action kicked off the Fight Pass card, however, as relative unknowns Raoni Barcelos and Chris Gutierrez threw down. Barcelos hoped to build off a win over Kurt Holobaugh in his UFC debut, while Gutierrez, a WSOF, LFA and Bellator alum, was making his promotional debut.
Check back throughout the evening for updated results and a recap of the action!
Raoni Barcelos vs. Chris Gutierrez
Gutierrez was on the outside early against Raoni Barcelos to open the TUF 28 Finale card. Barcelos was demonstrating his power with each punch, while Gutierrez worked to land leg kicks. While his kicks connected, however, Gutierrez was mostly circling, trying to stay off the fence, and couldn’t get his hands going. In a clinch, Barcelos would dump his opponent, work from guard, but eventually he’d back off and Gutierrez would get back to his feet.
In the second, Barcelos would eat a nasty left elbow from the bottom, cutting him open. He’d have his opponent on his back within the first two minutes, and take the back as Gutierrez tried to power back to his feet. Still the biggest damage was the elbow. While he couldn’t make a submission work just then, he did later in the round, taking the back, getting one hook in, and securing a rear-naked choke!
Raoni Barcelos def. Chris Gutierrez by submission (rear-naked choke), Round 2, 4:12
Tim Means vs. Ricky Rainey
Tim Means wasted no time getting back in the win column in Las Vegas on Friday night. After some early stand-up action Means scored a takedown despite Rainey grabbing the fence. He’d take Rainey down a moment later and dropped bombs on his opponent. Rainey wasn’t fight back enough for the ref’s liking as Means landed more ground and pound, and waved it off.
Tim Means def. Ricky Rainey by TKO (punches), Round 1, 1:18
Roosevelt Roberts vs. Darrell Horcher
Horcher worked the body early in the first round, and fired off an overhand right, connecting with Roberts. Roosevelt Roberts stuck to the outside, meanwhile. Horcher was able to back Roberts up to the fence, but maybe that was the wrong game plan. As the two clinched along the fence late in the round, Roberts locked in a standing guillotine. Quite the comback! He earned the tap just ten seconds before the end of the round.
Roberts called out TUF 27 winner Mike Trizano after the fight.
Roosevelt Roberts def. Darrell Horcher by submission (standing guillotine), Round 1, 4:50
TUF 28 Finale UFC Fight Pass Preliminary Results:
Roosevelt Roberts def. Darrell Horcher by submission (standing guillotine), Round 1, 4:50
Tim Means def. Ricky Rainey by TKO (punches), Round 1, 1:18
Raoni Barcelos def. Chris Gutierrez by submission (rear-naked choke), Round 2, 4:12
