‘The Ultimate Fighter 18’ Finale Preview

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Featherweights

Rani Yahya (19-7, 4-1 UFC) vs. Tom Niinimaki (20-5-1, 0-0 UFC): Yahya has quietly won four of five bouts in the UFC, with his only loss coming at the hands of featherweight title contender Chad Mendes. A 2007 Abu Dhabi Combat Club Submission Wrestling World Championships gold medalist, Yahya understands what works well for him in MMA: takedowns, top control and methodical positional advancement. The Brazilian has earned 15 of his 19 wins by submission but is also capable of grinding out a decision. Finland’s Niinimaki is a Shooto veteran who has recently picked up notable wins over Chase Beebe and Walel Watson. He is powerful, with solid fundamental striking and a dangerous submission game. Niinimaki will have to use his considerable physical strength to keep the fight upright. Yahya wins by decision.

Heavyweights

Walter Harris (4-1, 0-0 UFC) vs. Jared Rosholt (8-1, 0-0 UFC): Rosholt is one of the most successful heavyweight wrestlers in Oklahoma State University history. He was a three-time All-American in college, contending for national titles each of those years, and he has a fairly versatile skill set that allows him to effectively employ his wrestling in the Octagon. Rosholt has above-average athleticism for a big man, and a wrestling background usually means better cardio than most heavyweights. Harris, who owns a notable victory over streaking Jackson’s Mixed Martial Arts heavyweight Anthony Hamilton, was a former college basketball player. Rosholt takes this by TKO.

Featherweights

Akira Corassani (11-3, 2-0 UFC) vs. Maximo Blanco (9-4-1, 1-1 UFC): Blanco can be erratic at times, but he did a good job avoiding Sam Sicilia’s heavy hands in a decision victory at “The Ultimate Fighter 17” Finale in April. Still, he has yet to fulfill much of the promise he showed during a Sengoku career that included five KO or TKO victories. Corassani has struggled with injury issues since his time on “The Ultimate Fighter 14,” but the 31-year-old Swede has been successful when healthy. Corassani struggles against wrestlers, but he will overcome those issues here, as he lands strikes in combination and relies on solid movement to earn a decision.

Welterweights

Drew Dober (13-4, 0-0 UFC) vs. Sean Spencer (10-2, 1-1 UFC): After debuting in the Octagon at 185 pounds and losing via third-round submission to Rafael Natal at UFC on Fox 6, Spencer returned to welterweight to capture a split verdict over Yuri Villefort in September. Dober, who lost a preliminary bout to get into “The Ultimate Fighter 15” house, has won four straight, three of them by rear-naked choke. Taking the fight on short notice and moving up a weight class will be a tall task for Dober. Spencer captures a decision.

Flyweights

Joshua Sampo (10-2, 0-0 UFC) vs. Ryan Benoit (7-2, 0-0 UFC): Currently ranked No. 10 in Sherdog.com’s flyweight poll, Sampo has knocked off the likes of Antonio Banuelos and Alexis Vila on his way to capturing Resurrection Fighting Alliance gold. Most recently, he took a five-round decision over Sam Thao to defend his title on Oct. 12. Benoit has primarily competed for the Texas-based Legacy Fighting Championship organization. Benoit has notable power, but Sampo should be able to rely on top control grappling to win via decision or late stoppage.

TRACKING TRISTEN

Overall Record: 240-144
Last Event (UFC 167): 10-2
Best Event (UFC 167): 10-2
Worst Event (UFC 156/UFC on Fuel TV 8/UFC Fight Night 28/UFC Fight Night 32): 5-6