UFC Vegas 35 Results: Ricky Turcios Wins Wild TUF Finale Over Brady Hiestand

By
Dan Doherty
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UFC Vegas 35 Ricky Turcios
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - AUGUST 28: (R-L) Ricky Turcios punches b in a bantamweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on August 28, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)

Ricky Turcios and Brady Hiestand left it all on the line to try and become the TUF 29 bantamweight winner at UFC Vegas 35, with Turcios winning a split decision.

The TUF 29 bantamweight finale went down as part of the UFC Vegas 35 main card Saturday, pitting Ricky Turcios against Brady Hiestand to determine who would be declared The Ultimate Fighter.

Not to mention who would get a six-figure deal with the UFC.

Hiestand was a man on a mission out of the gate. He started the fight aggressively with combinations then connected with a pair of takedowns. Turcios was fighting off his back, throwing up a triangle attempt to bring the fight back to the feet. Hiestand got the fight against the cage, but Turcios pulled off a nifty single leg to get on top. Hiestand reversed and Turcios countered with another triangle effort to get back to the feet. Hooks were landing on both sides as the round neared an end.

hiestand kept up his relentless pace in the second round, throwing constant punches at Turcios and landing a takedown against the fence. Turcios got back up and clinched his way away from the cage, then ate a big left hand. Turcios drove in for his first takedown and took the back, but was quickly bucked off and taken down himself. Turcios reversed his way out of the position then Hiestand shot for a takedown, only to find himself in a guillotine attempt. Hiestand broke free and briefly had side control, but Turcios got back to his feet. The fight had a furious pace heading into the final round.

Both men were pumping out punches to start the final round, then Turcios was able to rock Hiestand and knock him down. Hiestand got a desperate hold of his opponents leg and scored a takedown. Turcios walked his way up the fence and dropped heavy elbows on his shooting opponent. Hiestand stayed strong and got the takedown, but Turcios swept his way to his feet. Turcios connected with a heavy elbow as the fight had a grueling pace in the final minute. Defense was thrown out the window on the feet, and Hiestand changed things up with a takedown attempt that Turcios thwarted. Turcios threw a barrage of punches as a last ditch effort to try and take home a win.

Ricky Turcios def. Brady Hiestand by Split Decision (29-28 x2, 28-29)

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