411’s The Ultimate Fighter 24: Team Benavidez vs. Team Cejudo Report 11.30.16

The Ultimate Fighter 24: Episode Twelve
The Ultimate Fighter 24: Team Benavidez vs. Team Cejudo is a flyweight spectacular. The coaches are top flyweights, the 16 competitors are top flyweight champions from outside of the UFC, and the winner will receive a title shot against Demetrious Johnson, two Harley Davidson motorcycles of their choosing, and the six-figure UFC contract. Basically, Demetrious Johnson is a very bad man and has cleaned shit out, and we’re preparing his next victim. LAST WEEK Hiromasa Ogikubo (Shooto (Japan) 15-3 MMA, 2-0 TUF) defeated Alexandre Pantoja (Resurrection Fighting Alliance, 16-2 MMA, 2-0 TUF) and Tim Elliott (Titan FC, 16-6 MMA, 2-0 TUF) defeated Eric Shelton (Caged Aggression Iowa, 10-2 MMA, 2-0 TUF).This week’s fight is the finals , where Hiromasa Ogikubo (Shooto (Japan) 15-3 MMA, 3-0 TUF) now faces Tim Elliott (Titan FC, 16-6 MMA, 3-0 TUF) for the right to be (likely) humbled by Demetrious Johnson.

– At the house, we have a party for the guys with all kinds of pizza other food. Benavidez is thrilled his guys are in the finals; Hiromasa says things as he hoped, Elliot thinks he is the guy that can beat Johnson. Elliot gets to call his father; the second Harley (if they win) goes to the person who inspired them the most, which is his dad. He also gets to see his daughter on the video call, and got emotional.

– Hiromasa’s inspiration is his wife, who he calls perfect. He also gets to see his kids on his call. He explains he has made the final fight in the house and what he can win, and his kids tell him to do his best.

– WEIGH-INS: Elliot weighs in at 125.5, Hiromasa is 125.5 as well.

– FIGHT DAY: We get the basic locker room Warm ups. And overconfident pre-fight trash talk. Elliot says he will only lose of he beats himself and is very confident

– Benavidez rook his team out for one last meal together. They all shared some kind words for each other, and having the dinner meant a lot to Benavidez, who really seemed to care about his team. Elliot says he didn’t want to do the show at first, but is glad he did and learned a lot. Hiromasa explains he wanted to talk to the guys more, but the language barrier was an obvious issue.

– Dana invited Johnson to the fight, and loved the idea of the season. He Thinks Elliot will win. Elliot says he doesn’t need his best to win, and will only lose if he beats himself. I am not sure if this is a good confidence, or overconfidence.

Hiromasa Ogikubo (Shooto (Japan) 15-3 MMA, 3-0 TUF) now faces Tim Elliott (Titan FC, 16-6 MMA, 3-0 TUF): ROUND ONE: Elliot will enjoy a four-inch reach advantage. Elliott takes center cage right away, Masa circles away and gets a takedown, but Elliott is right back up. They trade strikes, and good knees by Elliott follow. Elliott then scores a takedown, but Masa is back to the feet. Elliott is really aggressive here, but keeping control of it as his pressure is strong. Masa lands a hook/kick combo and then works leg kicks. Elliott takes him down again, but Masa works top position from guard and lands nice strikes. Back to the feet and Masa gets the better of the striking exchange. Elliott then scores a big takedown to stop that, and end the round on top, landing body strikes. Close round. SCORECARD: Elliott 10-9

ROUND TWO: Elliott out with a combo to begin the round and gets a takedown almost immediately. He controls from the top, Masa back o the feet and flashes a high kick and gets a takedown. Back to the feet, they circle and trade, Elliott is landing good strikes as Masa takes him down, but Elliott rolls and is back to the feet. Takedown by Elliott, he works for a guillotine but Masa escapes and Elliott works his jab, takes Masa down and takes his back. Elliott rolls and looks for the choke, but Masa is out, Elliott gets the guillotine but Masa keeps fighting and gets to his feet an he looks for a guillotined. Elliott again tries to take his back, and the round ends. That was a very good, and close round. SCORECARD: Elliott 20-18

ROUND THREE: Final round and it feels as if Masa needs the finish, Elliott takes him down right away, works elbows and hammer fists and has complete control. Elliott looks for the back again, and is completely grapple fucking Masa here. Masa has a ton of fight, but Elliott has an answer for everything here. Elliott again works for the choke, takes the back, and woks body strikes. Masa escapes, jumps on his back and is just hanging there. Elliott stays calm, Masa is just riding him piggyback style, and Elliott shakes him off. Masa chases, works for a guillotine, and Elliott survives. SCORECARD: 30-27 (close rounds though)

OFFICIAL RESULT: Tim Elliott via unanimous decision (30-27 across the cards)

– Dana loved the fight, and Elliot is now glad he stuck with it and did the show. Masa was of course disappointed, but Benavidez was proud of him.

– Elliot receives his prizes.

– Benavidez & Cejudo face off as do Elliot & Johnson. Benavidez & Cejudo talk shit, with Benavidez telling Cejudo, “I fucked guys like you in high school.” Ok then. 411 will have live coverage of the finale on Saturday with BOBBY WINFREE as your host.

Team Joseph Benavidez
#3. Tim Elliott (Titan FC, 16-6 MMA, 4-0 TUF)
#5. Hiromasa Ogikubo (Shooto (Japan) 15-3 MMA, 3-1 TUF)
#15. Eric Shelton (Caged Aggression Iowa, 10-2 MMA, 2-1 TUF)
#7. Ronaldo Candido de Oliveira (Shooto South America, 6-0 MMA, 1-1 TUF)
#11. Matt Rizzo (Ring of Combat, 9-2 MMA, 0-1 TUF)
#4. Damacio Page (Legacy FC, 19-10 MMA, 0-1 TUF)
#8. Terrence Mitchell (Alaska FC, 11-2 MMA, 0-1 TUF)
#16. Brandon Moreno (World Fighting Federation, 11-3 MMA, 0-1 TUF)

Team Henry Cejudo
#1.Alexandre Pantoja (Resurrection Fighting Alliance, 16-2 MMA, 2-1 TUF)
#13. Adam Antolin (Tachi Palace Fights, 11-3 MMA, 1-1 TUF)
#6. Matt Schnell (Legacy FC, 9-2 MMA, 1-1 TUF)
#9. Kai Kara-France (Bragging Rights Australia, 12-5-1nc MMA, 1-1 TUF)
#14. Charlie Alaniz (Hex Fight Series Australia, 6-1 MMA, 0-1 TUF)
#10. Jaime Alvarez (Absolute Fighting Championship, 6-1 MMA, 0-1 TUF)
#2. Yoni Sherbatov (XFFC Canada, 5-0-1 MMA, 0-1 TUF)
#12. Nkazimulo Zulu (EFC Africa, 7-2 MMA, 0-1 TUF)