TUF 10 “Heavyweights” Finale Preview & Full Coverage

The Ultimate Fighter Season 10 “Heavyweights” Finale Preview & Full Coverage

By Justin Bolduc

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This weekend is the culmination of ten season's of The Ultimate Fighter. The latest season featured all heavyweights including former IFL champion Roy Nelson, YouTube sensation Kevin “Kimbo Slice” Ferguson, and former NFL first round draft pick Marcus Jones.

This weekend's finale will crown the season's winner between Nelson and Brendan Schaub. As usual, other fights from the season will compete on Saturday night as well. Semi-finalists Jones and fellow NFL player Matt Mitrione will meet up, while semi-finalist James McSweeney fights undefeated semi-finalist Darrill Schoonover on the undercard.

Along with the TUF 10 competitors, UFC stand-outs Jon “Bones” Jones and TUF veteran Matt Hamill are set to meet up in the night's marquee bout. The card also features lightweight stand-out Frankie Edgar against undefeated Matt Veach and former WEC champion Brian Stann against undefeated Rodney Wallace. The card also features Dennis Hallman, who holds two submission wins over former UFC champion and future Hall of Famer Matt Hughes, against John Howard.

Roy Nelson (13-4) vs. Brendan Schaub (4-0)

The Ultimate Fighter 10 Finals

Roy Nelson entered the reality show already known by hardcore fans for his success in the IFL. Nelson is overweight with a large mid-section, but is athletic with good speed and cardio. In thirteen professional victories Nelson has finished ten opponents, including six TKO's and four submissions.

Nelson made his IFL debut with a professional record of 6-1, entering the promotion coming off a loss against Josh Curran in the now defunct Bodog Fight promotion. He won his IFL debut over Vince Lucero then scored a notable win over Mario Rinaldi in Bodog Fight before losing for the only time in the IFL against Ben Rothwell. Nelson then strung together five consecutive wins, including wins over Brad Imes and Fabiano Scherner, and claimed the promotion's heavyweight title.

After the downfall of the IFL, Nelson faced former UFC champion Andrei Arlovski in Elite XC where he lost by TKO on the second round. Most recently he lost to former UFC heavyweight contender Jeff Monson in the main event of March Badness by unanimous decision. On the Spike TV-based reality show Nelson defeated Kevin “Kimbo” Slice Ferguson, Justin Wren, and James McSweeney.

Intangibles:

UFC Record: Debut

IFL Record: 6-1

Strengths: Well-rounded, good top control, experience in bigger shows

Weaknesses: Susceptible to strikes

Key Wins: Brad Imes, Mario Rinaldi, Antoine Jauode

Notable Losses: Andrei Arlovski, Jeff Monson, Ben Rothwell, Josh Curran

Brendan Schaub entered the reality show with an unblemished record and a great attitude. Having finished each of his four professional bouts by first round TKO, Schaub went on to finish each of his opponents through the course of The Ultimate Fighter. He first submitted wrestler Demico Rogers, then finished Jon Madsen with strikes in the second round. In the show's semi-finals he knocked out Marcus Jones.

Schaub began his professional career in 2008 and finished his first opponent in only thirty seconds. His next fight ended in sixty-seven seconds after his opponent suffered a knee injury. In his longest professional bout he fought for one minute and twenty-seven seconds, but most recently won with strikes in fifty-two seconds.

Schaub, who is associated with Greg Jackson's team, played professional football in the AFL for the Utah Blaze. He also was part of the practice squad for the NFL's Buffalo Bills. Schaub is a Golden Gloves boxing champion and holds a purple belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

Intangibles:

UFC Record: Debut

ROF Record: 3-0

Strengths: Dangerous striker, well-rounded, explosive

Weaknesses: Mid-size heavyweight

Jon Jones (9-0) vs. Matt Hamill (7-2)

Jon Jones has become a quick fan favorite due to his exciting bouts, explosive wrestling, and devastating striking. Jones, who has only been training for about two years, made his UFC debut at UFC 87 in August. Jones pulled out a unanimous decision against Andre Gusmao, then won an exciting decision over Stephan Bonnar at UFC 94. In his most recent performance he submitted Jake O'Brien at UFC 100 in the second round.

In high school Jones was a 2005 state champion in wrestling. In college he won the national Junior College wrestling championship while at Iowa Central Community College. In nine professional mixed martial arts victories, Jones has finished five opponents by TKO and two by submission. The two lone decision wins on his record were against Gusmao and Bonnar in the UFC.

At twenty-two years old, Jones is one of the youngest fighters on the UFC's roster. He has spent time training in Canada at Tri-Star along with UFC welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre, members of Greg Jackson's team, and former UFC middleweight contender David Loiseau, among others.

Intangibles:

UFC Record: 3-0

Strengths: Athletic, explosive striking, JUCO National wrestling champion

Weaknesses: Has shown holes in cardio

Key Wins: Jake O'Brien, Stephan Bonnar, Andre Gusmao

Notable Losses: None

Matt Hamill first appeared in the mainstream with his appearance on season three of The Ultimate Fighter. Hamill was a favorite to win the light heavyweight challenge, but was forced out due to an injury. Although deaf, Hamill possessed a hunger to learn, a great work ethic, and a solid wrestling background.

Hamill appeared on the reality show with only one professional bout under his belt. In his UFC debut he defeated Jesse Forbes by TKO at the TUF 3 Finale. He then picked up two more wins over Seth Petruzelli and Rex Holman before losing for the first time in his career in a controversial split decision to Michael Bisping.

Hamill then rebounded with a TKO stoppage over Tim Boestch but found himself losing to former UFC middleweight champion Rich Franklin. Since then he has picked up two wins over Reese Andy and Mark Munoz, showcasing improved striking en route to TKO finishes in each performance.

Intangibles:

UFC Record: 6-2

Strengths: Wrestling background, improved striking, good chin

Weaknesses: Questionable off his back

Key Wins: Mark Munoz, Reese Andy, Tim Boestch

Notable Losses: Rich Franklin, Michael Bisping

Kevin “Kimbo Slice” Ferguson (3-1) vs. Houston Alexander (9-4, 1 NC)

215-pound Catchweight Bout

“Kimbo Slice” became a household name with his bare knuckle fights on YouTube in which he beat unknown guys and lost once to MMA fighter Sean Gannon. Since transitioning into mixed martial arts though, Ferguson has brought in high ratings for EliteXC and the Ultimate Fighter. Currently “Kimbo Slice” trains with American Top Team.

Ferguson made his mixed martial arts debut in an exhibition match against former boxing champion Ray Mercer, defeating his opponent with a first round guillotine choke. In his professional debut he defeated journeyman Bo Cantrell by submission due to strikes in only nineteen seconds in Elite XC. His second bout was a forty-three second win over David “Tank” Abbott at EXC: Street Certified.

In his next bout he defeated PRIDE veteran James Thompson in an exciting back and forth bout with a questionable stoppage. Ferguson was tested for the first time and a lot of questions were answered. In his latest bout he was stopped in fourteen seconds by Seth Petruzelli in October. As part of The Ultimate Fighter 10, Ferguson was defeated in his only bout by Roy Nelson.

Intangibles:

UFC Record: Debut

EXC Record: 3-1

Strengths: KO power, good boxing, physically strong

Weaknesses: Poor ground game, first weight cut

Key Win: James Thompson

Notable Loss: Seth Petruzelli

Houston Alexander made his UFC debut with a bang, knocking out Keith Jardine in forty-eight seconds. Alexander entered the promotion with a professional record of 6-1 with one no contest. Alexander has won six times in his career by TKO and once by submission due to strikes.

After stopping Jardine, Alexander stopped Alessio Sakara with strikes in sixty-one seconds. He then lost his next three bouts. The first loss in his UFC career came against Thiago Silva who scored a takedown, advanced to mount, and finished with a knockout with ground and pound. In his next bout Alexander found himself on the wrong end of a superman punch from James Irvin, losing by knockout in only eight seconds. The heavy handed brawler then lost to Eric Schafer by submission in the first round due to an arm-triangle choke.

Alexander then left the UFC and won his most recent bout against Sherman Pendergarst at Adrenaline MMA 4 with leg kicks and punches inside two minutes. Alexander is one of the stronger fighters in the division physically and has solid wrestling and explosive hands and knees.

Intangibles:

UFC Record: 2-3

Strengths: KO power, explosive, good wrestling

Weaknesses: Poor ground game

Key Wins: Keith Jardine, Alessio Sakara

Notable Losses: Thiago Silva, Eric Schafer, James Irvin, Jason Medina

The Ultimate Fighter 10 Finale Fight Card

Main Card

Roy Nelson vs. Brendan Schaub (TUF 10 Finals)

Jon Jones vs. Matt Hamill

Kevin “Kimbo Slice” Ferguson vs. Houston Alexander (215-pound Catchweight)

Frank Edgar vs. Matt Veach