Whether or not you viewed Bryan Battle vs. Tresean Gore as the “real” TUF 29 middleweight finale — even though both fighters themselves claimed they did not — it remained a compelling match-up on the UFC Vegas 47 card.
Battle had won the show, but Gore, his originally scheduled opponent, had been forced to pull out of the finale due to injury. With his knee now healed up, however, Battle vs. Gore was a go — and would at the very least answer all the questions left over from the last season of The Ultimate Fighter.
Forward movement from Gore early on was key, but Battle was throwing a lot of kicks. Gore was throwing kicks as well and with more power. Battle did a nice job kicking to the body and legs mixing it up. Gore kept coming forward but had trouble finding his range against the longer Battle. Battle picked up the pace at the end of round one with his hands. In the closing seconds, Gore landed a left hook that knocked the mouthpiece of Battle out.
There was a bit of trash talk after the buzzer, but cooler heads prevailed.
One round down and the bad blood is REAL 😳 #UFCVegas47 pic.twitter.com/zYO0dNIZfo
— UFC (@ufc) February 6, 2022
Gore came forward hot in round two but a series of kicks and jabs from Battle kept Gore at bay. Gore continued to throw heavy kicks but was throwing single shots. Gore did buckle the knees of Battle though briefly with a punch. That gave Gore some confidence as he landed a good combo. With momentum slightly shifting Battle shot in for takedowns. He eventually got Gore down but Tresean got right back up. Battle was aggressive for the takedown and Gore used a ninja choke to get the top position and end the round there.
In the final round, it was Gore that shot and completed a takedown early. Battle did get right back to his feet. Battle landed a good combination with his hands and shot in for a takedown but Gore defended. Again Battle was aggressive in the clinch with pressure and trying to get takedowns. When they separated Battle would clinch right back up. Some good right hands from Gore in the final minute causing Battle to shoot. They’d go to the scorecards, with Battle taking two rounds in the eyes of all three judges.
For all the talk of the fight not being the “true” Ultimate Fighter 29 finale, Battle brought the championship trophy in the cage with him after the win. Statement made.
Official Result: Bryan Battle def. Tresean Gore by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
