The Ultimate Fighter 24 Finale: Bleacher Report Main Card Staff Picks
Tim Elliott is on the precipice of one of the best comeback stories in UFC history.
The talented flyweight lost three tough fights in a row in the Octagon and was cut from the roster. He then won three straight in Titan FC and claimed its 125-pound championship before joining the cast of The Ultimate Fighter, where the winner was guaranteed a shot at Demetrious Johnson.
Johnson is the one and only flyweight champion in UFC history and the pound-for-pound best fighter in the world. Elliott winning would be a massive upset and compelling story.
The B/R team is here to let you know if he can get it done. Craig Amos, Scott Harris, Steven Rondina and Nathan McCarter are breaking down each of the main card bouts for you. Ready? Let's get rollin'.
Brandon Morenovs. Ryan Benoit
1 of 6
Craig Amos
Ryan Benoit has had some nice moments inside the Octagon, but if you make your Octagon debut by submitting Louis Smolka, as Brandon Moreno did, you have my attention. I'll take the 22-year-old Mexican to notch another impressive victory and instigate a little bit of post-fight chatter.
Moreno, submission, Rd. 2
Scott Harris
Moreno won a lot of hearts in his last fight. Now what does he do with them? I think he handles a talented but uneven Benoit.
Moreno, submission, Rd. 3
Steven Rondina
There's no reason to be sold on Moreno at this point, but his win over Smolka is definitely an indication he's got something going on. It's not much, but it's enough to make me pick him over a pedestrian Benoit.
Moreno, unanimous decision
Nathan McCarter
I lean toward Moreno, too, after his victory over Smolka. However, he's up against one of the dirtiest players in the game. If he gets momentum going, Benoit has an arsenal of fouls he'll only get a warning for to use. I'll take Benoit in another strange, foul-filled contest.
Benoit, unanimous decision
Sara McMann vs. Alexis Davis
2 of 6
Craig Amos
I like Alexis Davis as the better striker and submissionist, but Sara McMann has the edge in wrestling. So the question is: Will McMann be able to control her opponent enough to mitigate incoming damage? My guess is the fight is close and we won't know who has won until the scores are announced.
Davis, unanimous decision
Scott Harris
Get ready for another McMann smothering, followed by another half-hearted call for the title shot. McMann is the best wrestler in the division and a terrific person, even if her performances are getting a little predictable.
McMann, unanimous decision
Steven Rondina
Assuming her skills have held up over this fairly long layoff, this is Davis' fight to lose. Davis has the edge standing on her savvy, more reserved striking. On the ground, though, she's miles better than someone still learning how to deal with crafty BJJ players. McMann will have the athletic edge...but that won't be enough.
Davis, unanimous decision
Nathan McCarter
I actually side with Scott on most of this fight, but I can't pick her. She's been too inconsistent and doesn't do enough from top to enthuse the judges. Davis' jiu-jitsu and length on the feet should give her just enough to scrape by on the judge's scorecards in her return.
Davis, unanimous decision
Ion Cutelabavs. Jared Cannonier
3 of 6
Craig Amos
There's a lot of knockout power in this fight, but I'm betting on a submission. Jared Cannonier will mitigate his opponent's striking power by taking the action to the mat, and once Ion Cutelaba wears down, Cannonier will finish the fight by making him tap.
Cannonier, submission, Rd. 2
Scott Harris
Two of the coolest names in the light heavyweight division square off. These guys are both sluggers, and Cutelaba should get the better of it (he's a little more well-rounded, too).
Cutelaba, TKO, Rd. 2
Steven Rondina
There's a lot to like about Cannonier, from his diverse finishing skills to his gargantuan size (assuming it stays intact at 205 pounds) to his badass name. Cutelaba's not a bad fighter by any stretch, but I'm just feeling high on Cannonier at this point.
Cannonier, submission, Rd. 1
Nathan McCarter
I could give you a long-winded breakdown, but truth be told I'm really picking Cannonier because he has a cool nickname. "The Killa Gorilla"? Yeah, sign me up for that. He's last outing was impressive and showed a lot of promise for light heavyweight. Heavy hands come into play on the mat, and Cannonier gets an early TKO stoppage.
Cannonier, TKO, Rd. 1
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Jake Ellenberger vs. Jorge Masvidal
4 of 6
Craig Amos
Is Jake Ellenberger's recent win over Matt Brown the beginning of a renaissance? I'm not buying it. The journeyman may still have his moments here and there, but Jorge Masvidal is simply too good to bet against in this matchup. And given that Masvidal's last three losses have come via split-decision, I'll bet he's committed enough to finishing the bout inside the distance to make it happen.
Masvidal, TKO, Rd. 3
Scott Harris
Masvidal is such a slow starter that he worries me a bit in this one. Ellenberger is diminished but still potent, as he showed against Brown. Here's guessing, though, that Masvidal evades big trouble and puts the pedal down late, doing just enough to pull it out.
Masvidal, split decision
Steven Rondina
This one's really tough to call because both guys are phenomenal on paper...but just lose a whole lot. I think Masvidal is the safer bet, but this one will almost certainly end in a razor-thin decision.
Masvidal, split decision
Nathan McCarter
I don't pick against Masvidal often. He's incredibly well-rounded and super tough. The knocks on him are due to aggressiveness. Sometimes he sits back and waits, which costs him a decision. In this matchup, I really like his advantages. He just has to avoid a haymaker.
Masvidal can do that and test Ellenberger's questionable chin. Recipe for a big win.
Masvidal, TKO, Rd. 1
Joseph Benavidez vs. Henry Cejudo
5 of 6
Craig Amos
If Demetrious Johnson and Dominick Cruz had decided to be lovers, not fighters, Joseph Benavidez might be known as the best bantamweight or flyweight to have ever competed. Instead he's been relegated to gatekeeper status, but man can he keep a gate. Henry Cejudo's mix of wrestling and striking will keep him in it for a bit, but Benavidez will have his hand raised one way or another.
Benavidez, unanimous decision
Scott Harris
Sound the upset alarms. Cejudo has something to prove, and he's going to prove it. He wants to be the big-time wrestling poster boy and what not? Here's his chance. Cejudo by way of wrestling.
Cejudo, unanimous decision
Steven Rondina
I'm not sure an "upset alarm" needs to be sounded over Scott picking Cejudo. That said, I'm still picking the veteran. He's the more well-rounded threat and will probably benefit from his longer-than-usual layoff. He has the stuff to keep this standing and stall out of trouble on the ground en route to a decision.
Benavidez, unanimous decision
Nathan McCarter
I'm joining Scott, and frankly I'm perplexed why he's the dog here. Cejudo is one of the most talented and gifted fighters in the whole company. He has solid boxing with elite-level wrestling. Where, exactly, does Benavidez hold the edge? He's not going to get trucked here, but he's not markedly better than Cejudo.
With his wrestling edge, give me the Olympic gold medalist. He wants to rebound with a big win after being embarrassed by the champion. He'll prove his point with a dominant showing.
Cejudo, unanimous decision
Demetrious Johnson vs. Tim Elliott
6 of 6
Craig Amos
If Matt Serra can knock out Georges St-Pierre and Travis Lutter can give Anderson Silva a challenge, maybe there is something to TUF winners fighting UFC champs. But maybe the way-better fighter will prevail this time. He might even do it easily.
Johnson, TKO, Rd. 2
Scott Harris
I liked Tim Elliott during his first run in the UFC, and I like Tim Elliott now. I like his whole free-swinging, free-wheeling style. But this is the same person Joseph Benavidez and Zach Makovsky dominated. Going through TUF doesn't give a fighter magical powers or anything like that.
Johnson, submission, Rd. 2
Steven Rondina
Look, I like Elliott. He's fun to watch, and I was one of the first to complain about his 2015 UFC release on Twitter...but this is Demetrious Johnson we're talking about here! Look what he did to both of the TUF24 coaches! I'd be surprised if this one is competitive.
Johnson, TKO, Rd. 2
Nathan McCarter
Elliott's awkward style gives him an early chance to surprise the champion, but as soon as Mighty Mouse acclimates to the design challenge, it's a wrap. Elliott's toughness keeps him around longer than expected, but this will not be competitive. Johnson is the best.
Johnson, submission, Rd. 4
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
