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Bryan Battle Submits Gilbert Urbina For TUF 29 Title
Tonight, at the UFC Apex, UFC Fight Night takes place in Las Vegas, Nevada. This ESPN aired fight card is headlined by Edson Barboza (22-9) and Giga Chikadze (13-2). Before the main event closes out the evening, the co-main event between Bryan Battle (6-1) and Gilbert Urbina (6-2) for The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) season 29 championship.
This co-main event is between two young prospects making the rise in the UFC TUF tournament. Battle makes his UFC debut tonight against fellow UFC newcomer, Urbina. These two fighters are competing for the TUF Finale title and a UFC contract. Urbina is a replacement after Gore suffered a knee injury. Gore knocked out Urbina in the second round of the TUF semi-finals.
The winner of this fight claims a spot in the middleweight division and a chance to claim new friends as they are fighting in the co-main event on ESPN.
Who will be the TUF Season 29 Winner.
Follow below for all the action:
Round 1: The two fighters come out swinging early. Urbina is throwing outside kicks and then scores a takedown against Battle after his flurry of strikes. Now with Battle on the canvas, Urbina is on top in half guard working ground and pound. He attempts a choke and then releases it to continue with strikes. Battle climbs back to his feet. Battle throws several front kicks. Battle continues to throw body kicks, followed up by a one-two. Urbina tries to answer with a head kick of his own. Battle continues with body kicks and then they are in the clinch and Battle lands a couple of knees to the body of Urbina. Urbina goes for the takedown. Holding Battle against the cage, Battle reverses Urbina and throws more strikes. Urbina tries to throw knees and Battle answers with knees of his own. Urbina lands a big elbow and Battle answers again with big strikes of his own.
Round 2: Battle takes the middle of the cage and puts on the pressure with a high volume of strikes and leg/body kicks. Urbina goes in for the takedown. Body lock against the cage. Urbina hanging onto Battle. Urbina throwing massive elbows. They split apart. Battle now with the takedown. Battle takes the back of Urbina. Sinks in a leg hook. Battle going for a rear-naked choke. Urbina was forced to tap from Battle with a tight Rear Naked Choke. The last pick of his TUF team wins it all!
Byran Battle def. Gilbert Urbina via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) in Round 2, at 2:15.
Battle fought through the early storm of Urbina and eventually pressed into a tired Urbina and brought him to the canvas in the second round. He took his back and quickly sunk in a Rear-Naked Choke that forced Urbina to give up via tapping.
Bryan Battle is now The Ultimate Fighter Season 29 middleweight winner. After being the last pick to now the middleweight TUF champion, Battle earned a UFC contract after scoring the submission champion.
