'The Ultimate Fighter' Finale Results: Questions Answered and Lessons Learned

The 15th season of The Ultimate Fighter was the first time that Zuffa attempted to air every fight live. The season lasted 13 weeks, more than twice that of previous years.

The finale saw The Ultimate Fighter winner get crowned in a fight between Mike Chiesa and Al Iaquinta.

In the main event, Martin Kampmann faced Jake Ellenberger for a spot in a title eliminator in an action-packed fight with a storybook ending. 

That doesn't mean that the night was without controversy, though, courtesy of referee Kim Winslow.

Still, the fights are over and the results are in. 

I had questions, and I learned lessons.

Let's find out what they were...

Kim Winslow Is Terrible

Kim Winslow proved in the first fight of the evening that she's a terrible referee. There's not even a debate. She's awful.

She stopped the fight when there wasn't a tap or verbal submission. It was so boneheaded that I'm trying to figure out what the hell she saw. 

I wish there was more to say, but until she can make the proper decision, she shouldn't be near a major promotion card. Let her go back to the regional circuit, but keep her away from the UFC and Strikeforce. 

Max Holloway Has the Best Stand Up in the Featherweight Division

A bit of overstatement? Sure. But at 20 years old, Max Holloway may be the best technical striker at featherweight.

I know it sounds crazy, but the way he mixed up his combinations and attacked the body was a thing of beauty. I can't actually remember the last time I even saw a featherweight fighter mix up their strikes the way that he did. Even Jose Aldo fails to attack the body. 

Maybe I'm just a sucker for a fighter who does't headhunt, but I'm sold on Max Holloway as a future contender at featherweight when he finally grows into his body and develops real power in his hands. 

Jonathan Brookins Has Regressed as a Fighter

I said it in the post-fight report card, but it is my belief that Jonathan Brookins has regressed as a fighter since his time on TUF. He showed skills as a wrestler and boxer on the show, but since then, he's become just a tough guy with a good chin. 

He abandoned his wrestling, and his boxing looked off, except when Oliveira let him land punches. His defensive skills were just as bad, as he left his chin open constantly.

I hope he can show he still has potential, because at this point, I believe we've seen the best of Jonathan Brookins and that it's all downhill from here. 

Charles Oliveira Has a Very Bright Future

I kind of wrote off Charles Oliveira when he announced he was dropping to featherweight. I thought he was just too lanky for the weight class and would lose speed and power due to having to cut weight.

I was wrong, and I apologize.

Because of his length and skills on the ground, Oliveira will be a tough fight for anyone in the division. His stand up is ever improving, and he's a monster on the ground because of his long legs. I still worry about his wrestling, but I don't think it's a concern anymore due to his submission and stand up skills. 

Mike Chiesa Shows That Good Things Can Happen

I said it was a storybook ending to an incredibly long season, and I stand by those words. Thirteen weeks ago, Michael's father passed away. He had the opportunity to leave the show, but was able to remain mentally strong in very trying times to make it to the finale. 

He faced Al Iaquinta and looked great in his performance. The submission was just a fantastic way to close the season. And props to Iaquinta for going out on his shield.

In my opinion, it was the best way to cap off such a long season. 

Martin Kampmann Is Better Than I Thought

Martin Kampmann obviously has skills. Better known as a striker, he's just as likely to finish a fighter with a submission. We also knew that he was very tough, as seen in literally every fight he's been in since losing to Paul Daley. 

What I didn't know was that Kampmann had the ability finishing Jake Ellenberger. It was the first time that Ellenberger stopped in his 33 fight career. 

Martin Kampmann earned a spot in a title eliminator against Johny Hendricks. He definitely deserved it after tonight.