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TUF 20 FINALE LIVE RESULTS: Penick's round by round report for "Esparza vs. Namajunas" headlined event
Dec 12, 2014 - 10:50:55 PM TUF 20 FINALE LIVE RESULTS: Penick's round by round report for "Esparza vs. Namajunas" headlined event

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER 20 FINALE
DECEMBER 12, 2014
LIVE FROM LAS VEGAS, NEVADA

=====UFC Fight Pass Prelims Quick Results=====

-Angela Hill def. Emily Kagan via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-27)

Note: Complete and utter ass-kicking delivered by Angela Hill. Kagan's corner should have stopped the fight after the second, and though the third was less destructive than the first two, she still took way too much damage. Impressive work from the less experienced Hill.

-Aisling Daly def. Alex Chambers via submission (armbar) at 4:53 of the first round

Note: Nice finish from Daly. She scored a solid takedown, got to mount, grabbed the arm, and worked the hold until Chambers had no choice but to tap.

=====Fox Sports 1 Prelims=====

-Walkouts start almost immediately for our first televised fight.

PRELIM FIGHT ONE: TECIA TORRES VS. ANGELA MAGANA (WOMEN'S STRAWWEIGHT)

ROUND ONE: Torres took the center and played the aggressor. She landed a nice superman punch, then connected on another good right hand. Lots of tentativeness from both. Torres threw a combination and Magana fired back. Torres connected to the body and then head. Torres countered a leg kick nicely with several strikes. Magana missed a strike, then ate a right hand as Torres separated out of a brief clinch. Torres got in several strikes, but Magana fired back with a right hand. Torres knocked Magana down with a combination, but Magana workd back to her feet. Torres tried to keep the pressure on and landed another right hand. Torres got in close and Magana grabbed her for a clinch. Torres pressed her to the cage, avoided a trip, and backed off. They traded strikes. Torres landed another hard right hand. She rushed with a combination, then another. Magana got in a body kick. Torres landed one more side kick before the horn.

Penick's Scorecarrd: 10-9 Torres. Lots of tentative, feeling out-style action early, but Torres picked it up nicely in the second half. She was throwing several strikes at a time, while Magana simply wasn't.

ROUND TWO: Things started slow again, but Torres kept moving forward. She got in a short combination, then avoided a counter. They traded leg kicks. Torres missed a few strikes in close. Torres got Magana to the cage and landed a few strikes, though she ate a couple of knees. Magana tried to clinch, but Torres pressed off. Torres landed a few hard right hands while avoiding strikes from Magana. Torres went high with a kick but it was blocked. The crowd was just about to get impatient and then Torres landed a few strikes. Magana tossed out some body kicks as Torres tried to close the distance. Torres connected on a hard counter-right hand. Magana partially shot in but gave it up easy. Torres connected with another rush of strikes. She continued landing several at a time while Magana missed. Torres rocked Magana with a big combination. She landed a hard side kick to the body. Another right hand. Torres closed distance with a big right hand, then landed a few more side kicks to the body before the horn.

Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Torres. When she's opening up with her offense, she's dominating. Magana doesn't have much for her at all.

ROUND THREE:Torres pressed in early again. A minute in she landed a nice combination, ending it with the side kick. She walked in and landed a huge three punch combo to Magana's face. She landed another hard right hand. Magana shot in for a takedown to no avail. Torres came right back ahead. They traded leg kicks. Torres with another big combination. Torres landed another nice right hand after stepping to the side off a combo. Torres landed a hard right hand, then a head kick, then a side kick that almost sent Magana down, then another side kick. All in a five second span. Torres got in with another combination and had Magana trying to get out of harm's way. Torres with another combo, but she again didn't over-commit. Torres got in a head kick. She landed a hard right hand and tried to go in for the kill. Magana clinched to get a brief rest. Torres kept pressing. She then scored a quick takedown into a mounted crucifix just before the horn for the stamp on that one.

Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Torres. I wouldn't argue against 10-8 for Torres in either of the last two rounds here. Magana just did so little while getting cracked left and right.

WINNER: Torres via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)

STAR RATING: (**) Slightly disappointing, in that Torres had plenty of opportunity to really push for a finish and chose to stay back a bit, picking her spots more. Would have been understandable if Magana had done anything of note during the fight, but that wasn't at all the case, so it's a bit of a missed opportunity for Torres, as she could have made her UFC debut with a dominant finish there.


PRELIM FIGHT TWO: JOANNE CALDERWOOD VS. SEOHEE HAM (WOMEN'S STRAWWEIGHT)

ROUND ONE: Calderwood opened with a few leg kicks early. Ham fired off a kick and a nice left hand. They traded leg kicks. Calderwood threw a spinning kick. Calderwood tossed out a straight kick to the body. Ham fired back. Ham landed a good left hand. Calderwood got in a left. Ham went high with a kick. Ham landed a few strikes in combination. Calderwood landed a right hand. They traded some strikes. Calderwood landed a right hand. Calderwood landed a hard kick to the body. They traded leg kicks. Calderwood stayed busy, though Ham landed some strikes of her own. Calderwood got in a spinning back kick to the body. Ham grabbed a clinch and drove Calderwood to the cage. They jockeyed for position. Calderwood backed off. Ham landed a body strike. Calderwood got in a couple of kicks, then a jab as Ham stepped in. Calderwood landed a hard right hand. Ham fired back a hard right hand. Calderwood got a Thai clinch and landed a knee with a few strikes. Calderwood briefly drove her back. Ham landed a hard left hand to end the round. Competitive opening frame.

Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Calderwood. Slight edge in effective offense it seemed, but it's close.

ROUND TWO: Calderwood pressed forward early. They traded some strikes. Calderwood got in a knee. Ham landed a body punch, but ate a right hand. Calderwood landed a good spinning kick to the body, with a left hand behind it. Calderwood landed a nice combination. Calderwood kept up the kicks and ate a left hand. Calderwood landed a nice combination. Ham connected on a left hand. She got in another jab. Calderwood landed a nice elbow. Calderwood landed a right. Ham landed a few punches and Calderwood's nose started bleeding badly. Calderwood got a clinch, then took Ham's back standing. She tried to improve her position, but Ham avoided that. Calderwood got in some knees to the legs and body. She went high, then got in a few punches. Ham turned into her, but Calderwood did more damage while holding off punches. They separated, and Calderwood landed some kicks. Ham landed a combination. Calderwood fired some hard kicks and popped Ham's head back. Ham went for a throw, but Calderwood again took her back standing. She went for a throw and Ham somehow stayed standing. Calderwood kept on it, and brought her down just before the horn.

Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Calderwood. Still doing more than Ham, but Ham's getting in some significant damage.

ROUND THREE: Calderwood moved ahead early again. Ham landed a few strikes. Calderwood grabbed a clinch and did some damage up at the cage. Calderwood got in some knee strikes. They broke out of the clinch and Ham tried to fight back, but Calderwood fired back and clinched again. Calderwood got in some elbows and other strikes on the cage. Calderwood barely missed a spinning back elbow, then went back to the clinch. Ham got loose, but Calderwood kept landing more. Calderwood landed a nice spinning elbow, then a front kick to the cage. She took Ham's back standing, then took her down. Calderwood went for an arm triangle. Ham got out, but Calderwood transitioned to side control. She got full mount, then Ham gave up her back. Calderwood landed some strikes, then kept Ham grounded. Ham tried to stay alive, but Calderwood held position to the horn.

Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Calderwood. Fantastic round for Calderwood. Ham was game, but Calderwood finished strong for what should surely be a win in her favor.

WINNER: Calderwood via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)

STAR RATING: (**) Good final round from Calderwood. She allowed Ham to get in a bit too much from an offensive standpoint, but she took control late to put the fight away.


PRELIM FIGHT THREE: BEC RAWLINGS VS. HEATHER JO CLARK (WOMEN'S STRAWWEIGHT)

ROUND ONE: Rawlings came straight ahead. Clark grabbed a clinch and tried for a takedown, but ate a couple of knees before Rawlings backed out. Rawlings landed a leg kick. Clark landed a hard right hand, then drove through with a side headlock with a takedown into side control. Rawling tried to attack from her back and scrambled to her knees. Clark landed a hammerfist and stayed on Rawlings at the cage. She kept on her back as Rawlings got to her feet. The clinch battle continued as Rawlings turned into Clark. Rawlings got in a right hand after a little separation. They were broken up from there. Clark grabbed a quick clinch as Rawlings came back in close. Rawlings pressed to the cage and landed several strikes. Clark turned her around on the cage and tried for a single leg. Rawlings held it off. They traded knees in the clinch. Clark got in a few hard knees. Rawlings grabbed a headlock and went for a throw, but Clark got a hook in and tried to sneak to her back. She got there, but they battled back and forth there to the horn.

Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Clark. Slightly more effective than Rawlings, though neither did a ton.

ROUND TWO: Rawlings tried to be aggressive, but she was getting hit by right hands from Clark as she came in. Rawlings landed a left, but ate a few strikes in combination. Clark got in a right hand, but ate a left in return. Clark failed on a takedown. Clark grabbed a body lock and went for a takedown. Rawlings tried to counter it with a throw, but Clark wound up in side control as she rolled through. She did some damage from side control. Rawlings gave up her back. Rawlings tried to escape, but Clark stayed on her back. Clark got her arm across the jaw and cranked for the submission, but she lost it. She was up high and Rawlings tried to escape. Clark tried to transition to an arm, then rest her back mount position. Clark again went for the neck crank to no avail. She ended the round attacking for an arm.

Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Clark. Clear round in her favor. Rawlings needs a finish to take this one.

ROUND THREE: Rawlings came out aggressive, getting in a few strikes before Clark clinched. Rawlings got free and came back forward with combinations. Rawlings landed another combination. She connected on an uppercut. Rawlings getting in much more offensively this round. Clark landed a good front kick. She got in a jab. She's apparently weathered a late surge from Rawlings. Clark got a clinch and did some damage before pressing Rawlings to the cage again. They briefly separated, but Clark again got the clinch. They were broken up with two minutes left. Rawlings engaged with a superman punch and some more punches. Rawlings again landed several. She got in a few more. Clark came straight back again, and they clinched once more. Rawlings held it off. Clark rushed in with several strikes and clinched. Rawlings got in some more strikes in the clinch, then got in another one at the horn.

Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Rawlings. Too little, too late. Strong finish, but it's just not enough in this one.

WINNER: Clark via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

STAR RATING: (*+) Clark implemented her gameplan through the first ten minutes, and Rawlings just gave up too much time there.


PRELIM FIGHT FOUR: FELICE HERRIG VS. LISA ELLIS (WOMEN'S STRAWWEIGHT)

ROUND ONE: Herrig came straight ahead, then Ellis pulled off a throw. Herrig fought back to her feet but Ellis grabbed a tight standing guillotine. Ellis really tried to wrench the hold, but Herrig fought out of it, then scored a trip takedown into half guard. Herrig got in some short strikes. Herrig tried to step out and pass but Ellis pulled off a nice reversal to get on top. Herrig out of nowhere kicked up for a triangle choke and rolled it to a mounted hold. Ellis kept rolling with her as Herrig tried to turn it into an armbar. Herris lost the hold and they scrambled. Ellis went for a guillotine, but Herrig popped out and got into her guard. Ellis tried to attack off her back, but Herrig transitioned out. Herrig passed back to half guard. Ellis went for a late Americana from the bottom.

Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Herrig. Competitive opening round, but both probably should have finished the tight holds they had when they had them.

ROUND TWO: Ellis tried to get it to the ground early, but it was Herrig winding up on top. Herrig tried to transition over, but Ellis swept and got on top. Herrig then reversed back and got into her guard. Herrig passed to half guard. Herrig passed to mount, then Ellis gave up her back. Ellis pulled Herrig's hair trying to buck her off. Herrig held position, then went for an armbar as she slid off. Ellis spun out of the armbar attempt and got on top. Herrig grabbed Ellis' hair to keep her in an attempted triangle choke. Ellis got out, but Herrig got the armbar, and this time had it on tight. Ellis couldn't spin out, and had to tap.

WINNER: Herrig via submission (armbar) at 3:05 of the second round

STAR RATING: (**-) The scrambles were kind of entertaining, I suppose, but it seemed like sloppy low-level stuff with neither effectively establishing themselves on the ground for much of it. Solid finish for Herrig, but it wasn't a great fight.


=====Fox Sports 1 Main Card=====

-Jon Anik set the stage for the night's main card, and we get a look at our title competitors tonight. Then it's on to the final women's prelim tonight with the other semifinalists from this season.

MAIN CARD FIGHT ONE: JESSICA PENNE VS. RANDA MARKOS (WOMEN'S STRAWWEIGHT)

ROUND ONE: Penne took the center and tried to walk down Markos. Markos fired off a few strikes, then Penne snuck to the side in a clinch and pulled off a sick throw that planter her on her head and cut her open. Penne tried to pass, and worked nicely with a few moves to an attempted mounted triangle. Markos escaped, but while she tried to turn into Penne, she got thrown again. Penne worked from half guard. She tried to sneak out to mount as she stayed tight on Markos' chest. Markos kept control of a foot, but Penne again went for the mounted triangle. That was not the right move, as Markos escaped and got on top, landing a few strikes. Penne pressed her off and landed an upkick. Markos threw some kicks. She nearly ate another big upkick. Penne landed another upkick, then locked on the triangle choke. She landed a few elbows, but Markos got her other arm in to defend. Penne went for a gogoplata, but Markos stood up. Penne landed some upkicks and reversed, standing up and then dropping back to top position with some strikes. Much more technical exchanges than in the last fight. Penne ended the round on top.

Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Penne. Really good round, lots of action from both, but Penne definitely had more control.

ROUND TWO: Markos has a nasty cut on her right eyelid from that throw onto her face. Penne moved in and they traded punches. Markos jumped in with a punch but it was blocked. Markos caught a kick and landed a right hand. Markos caught a kick and landed a few punches on the ground. She threw some kicks as she stood above Penne. Penne moved back to her feet and came back ahead. Markos landed a right hand as Penne missed one. Markos was throwing heavy strikes, but missing some herself. Penne walked her down. Markos fired off some strikes with her back on the cage. Markos pressed in with a short combo, but didn't land much. They traded punches. Markos landed a great right hand counter after Penne missed a punch. Markos landed another hard right hand. She landed again as Penne missed. Markos caught a kick for a takedown, then nearly got reversed before keeping top position and moving to mount. Penne threw her legs up and countered, using crazy flexibility to adjust her position. She postured up and landed a right hand. She kept top position by grabbing the fence. Penne tried to pass, then landed some heavy ground and pound. She trapped an arm and landed a few strikes to end the round.

Penick's Scorecard: 10-10. Really hard round to score, and both have an argument. It's likely going to go to Penne for the final two minutes, but Markos did damage on the feet, had a little top time on the ground of her own, and did damage there as well. Really even round.

ROUND THREE: Markos was throwing spinning attacks left and right to start the round. Penne landed a hard jab. She pressed forward with some strikes, but Markos fought her back. Markos barely missed a spinning back fist. They traded punches. Markos landed a right hand. Markos landed a huge uppercut. Penne landed a right hand. Markos landed an inside leg kick and followed with several punches in combination. Penne got in a knee in the clinch. Markos backed off and fired back. Penne scored a takedown midway through the round. Penne got in a hard forearm to the face. Markos tried to grab an armbar, then scrambled. Penne wound up in side control and did some damage. Markos tried to get to her feet, but Penne grabbed for a rear naked choke. Markos got out, then regained half guard. Penne tried to pass to mount, but Markos defended. Markos put her shin across Markos' neck. Markos went for an inverted triangle late, but didn't have enough time to finish it.

Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Penne. Another really, really, really close round, but I think this one was clearer in Penne's favor with the takedown and ground and pound, as Markos didn't do quite enough on the feet to negate the ground action. Very good fight.

WINNER: Penne via split decision (28-29, 30-27, 29-28)

STAR RATING: (**+) Really entertaining and competitive fight. Penne is very strong on the ground, and though Markos made it a tough and gritty fight, she just wasn't quite good enough to beat Penne tonight.


MAIN CARD FIGHT TWO: JOE PROCTOR VS. YANCY MEDEIROS (LIGHTWEIGHT)

ROUND ONE: Medeiros came out firing kicks. He missed a spinning one. Proctor got in a couple of hard leg kicks. Medeiros got in a return leg kick. Proctor got him back with yet another to the outside. Medeiros landed a good counter left, then got in a spinning back kick to the hip. Proctor ran in with a leg kick, then got back inside on the same leg. Medeiros landed a leg kick. Medeiros rocked Proctor with a straight right hand. He landed a few more strikes but didn't take full advantage. Proctor hurt Medeiros with a spinning back kick. Medeiros said it landed to the groin but the ref didn't stop it. He held off Proctor's rush and got loose. Medeiros landed a few punches to the body. He landed a spinning back kick. Proctor caught him behind the ear but he shook his head like it didn't do anything. Medeiros missed a lunging right. Proctor threw a spinning back fist that was partially blocked. He landed a good leg kick. Proctor tried to stay busy. Medeiros hurt Proctor badly with a spinning back kick to the gut. Proctor dropped down, and Medeiros engaged. He locked on a standing guillotine, and forced Proctor to tap at the cage. That kick to the body looked even more brutal on replay.

WINNER: Medeiros via submission (guillotine choke) at 4:37 of the first round

STAR RATING: (**+) Sick finish, fun one-round matchup. That spinning back kick was nasty, and he did a great job following up with that choke.

-An excellent promo for UFC 183 featured a little girl singing "The Itsy Bitsy Spider" with clips of Anderson Silva's injury before the "He's Back" line.

-Anthony Pettis joins Anik and Florian cageside to talk about the main event.


MAIN CARD FIGHT THREE: K.J. NOONS VS. DARON CRUICKSHANK (LIGHTWEIGHT)

ROUND ONE: Noons came forward with a few strikes. Cruickshank fired off some kicks. He got in a couple of punches, then landed a spinning back fist. Noons tried to press in again, but ate a few kicks before Cruickshank landed a right hand. Cruickshank connected high on a kick. He defended a few strikes. Cruickshank landed a nice inside leg kick. He connected with a hard right to the body. Noons poked Cruickshank in the eye as he circled around. Noons tried to rush in after the restart, but Cruickshank snuck behind him, picked him up and slammed him. Noons got up, and Cruickshank landed a couple of punches to separate. Noons tried to move in, but Cruickshank backed him up with a few strikes. Cruickshank landed a few kicks. He shot in and got Noons down, but Noons scrambled to his feet. Cruickshank landed another combo. Noons connected on a couple strikes. Cruickshank landed a side kick to the body. Cruickshank landed a nice counter-right. Noons rushed in with a few strikes but ate an overhand right. Cruickshank landed another right hand. Cruickhsank landed a nice right hand and circled out. Cruickshank connected with a hard kick to the body. He went high with the kick but it was blocked. Cruickshank landed a good kick to the lead leg with a combo behind it. Noons threw a hard knee. Cruickshank shot in and scored a late takedown, but Noons got to his feet at the horn.

Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Cruickshank. He landed the better strikes that round, and had a couple of takedowns mixed in as well.

ROUND TWO: Cruickshank landed a knee early. Noons landed another eyepoke to the same eye and Cruickshank went backward. He ate a knee and got up complaining of the eye poke. "Big John" McCarthy wasn't going to call it a poke, but he came up bleeding. That was really, really bad on replay. Cruickshank was given time, but again, no point taken away, and it's the second time it's been a clear poke.

And the fight is stopped on the eye poke. Should be a freaking disqualification.

WINNER: No contest at :25 of the second round

STAR RATING: (n/a) We need to stop treating eye pokes like unintentional fouls. Fighters continue to do it intentionally, because they know they're not going to get punished for it. That was completely clear here, because Noons did it twice, and McCarthy wasn't even going to take a point on the second one before it needed to be stopped.


MAIN CARD FIGHT FOUR: JEREMY STEPHENS VS. CHARLES OLIVEIRA (FEATHERWEIGHT)

ROUND ONE: Stephens opened with a hard leg kick. He landed a body punch as Oliveira clinched. Stephens powered Oliveira down and landed a knee to the body, but Oliveira grabbed for an armbar in a slick transition. Stephens defended, picked Oliveira up, and slammed him, but Oliveira held the position. Oliveira tried to twist Stephens' arm, then landed some strikes as Stephens defended. Stephens postured up as Oliveira continued working for the hold. Stephens kept defending, but Oliveira was not giving it up. Stephens was wincing a bit. Oliveira finally let it go. Stephens landed some elbows from the guard. Stephens kept up the attack from Oliveira's guard. Oliveira tried to get in some offense from the bottom. Stephens escaped, but Oliveira stayed on him for a single leg attack. He got in a knee. He added a clinch, and a knee. Stephens turned him around, then pressed off. Stephens threw a few punches. Oliveira pressed him back with some strikes. Stephens threw a hard right hand. Oliveira missed a spinning back fist, but got in a knee. Stephens held off a clinch. Oliveira got in a combination as the round ended.

Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Oliveira. Stephens did some damage on the ground, but Oliveira was the aggressor and nearly had the armbar there, as well as adding in some offense on the feet.

ROUND TWO: Oliveira rushed Stephens with a combination. He avoided a left and landed a hard leg kick. Oliveira landed a right hand and shot in for a single leg. Stephens landed some hard elbows. Oliveira turned him over and took him down, landing a knee to the body. Oliveira tried to stay heavy to pass, and he stepped over nearly to mount. He snuck behind Stephens and got the body triangle locked on with three and a half minutes to work. Stephens held onto a wrist. Oliveira transitioned to the armbar. He's not Ronda Rousey here, but he finally got the arm free. Stephens then fought out of it! Yep, Oliveira's no Rousey. Stephens stood up. He tried to drop down with a right hand, but didn't land flush. Then he backed off and let Oliveira up. Oliveira came straight ahead, landing a few strikes. He got in some knee to the head. Stephens put his hand down to avoid the knee. Oliveira went for a modified D'Arce, but Stephens got free. Oliveira wound up on top in his guard. Oliveira took his back in a scramble and tried to look for a choke. He went for the armbar again. Stephens again defended and popped his arm out. He ended the round throwing down punches.

Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Oliveira. The armbar's not working for him. He should be trying something else here in the third.

ROUND THREE: Oliveira landed an early strike, then shot in. He flopped to his back when it was stuffed, and Stephens backed up to let hi stand. Oliveira shot in again. Stephens tried to counter with a kimura, but got countered himself, and Oliveira got to side control. Stephens scrambled, got on top, and stood out of Oliveira's guard. Stephens landed a body punch. Oliveira landed a few strikes. He missed a spinning back kick. He shot in, but Stephens stopped him at the cage. Stephens backed off and landed a body punch. Oliveira again flopped after missing a takedown, but Stephens wouldn't engage. Oliveira landed a couple of strikes. He shot in again, then secured the takedown. Oliveira got in some short strikes. He tried to set up a choke, but Stephens held his wrist and got to his feet. Oliveira flopped again and the crowd booed. Shades of Overeem-Werdum II. Stephens dropped a right hand but it was partially blocked. Oliveira finally got up again and moved forward. Stephens missed a couple of strikes. Oliveira pressed him back. Stephens landed a right hand. Oliveira closed distance and got in a knee. He jumped guard. Stephens landed some strikes from the top. Oliveira kept looking for another opening as he tried to defend. Stephens landed another big elbow. He landed another big elbow, then a big right hand at the end. Oliveira popped up and raised his arms.

Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Stephens. Oliveira allowed Stephens to take that last round back by pulling guard there and taking those elbows. He has to hope judges didn't give Stephens the first.

WINNER Oliveira via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

STAR RATING: (***-) Really good fight, would have been even better with a finish or more in that final round from Oliveira. His submission attempts were close, and Stephens' ability to escape made things a lot more interesting.


MAIN EVENT FIGHT FIVE: CARLA ESPARZA VS. ROSE NAMAJUNAS (WOMEN'S STRAWWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP)

ROUND ONE: Rose came out the aggressor. She landed a flying kick to the face, but Esparza got a takedown off it. Rose got to her feet and pressed back. Namajunas threw out some wild strikes, but Esparza stayed calm. Esparza faked a shot and just missed a punch. Namajunas landed a right hand. Namajunas landed a leg kick. She tossed out a straight kick to the body. Rose pressed in, but Esparza landed some punches to hold her off. Namajunas threw a spinning jump kick to the body. Esparza shot in and scored a takedown. Namajunas tried to attack from the bottom, but Esparza did some damage. Rose kicked her off and got to her feet, but Esparza connected on a combination at the cage. Namajunas clinched and pressed Esparza to the cage. Esparza got in some knees. She landed a couple of punches to break. Esparza shot in again and scored her third takedown of the round just before the horn.

Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Esparza. Rose is getting some good offense in, but Esparza was as well, with the takedowns on top of that. Close opening frame.

ROUND TWO: Namajunas took the center. She threw out a high side kick but it wasn't quite there. Esparza popped in with a right. A takedown was stuffed but Esparza quickly landed a few short forearms before backing out. Namajunas landed a hard strike, but as she tried to clinch, Esparza landed a series of knees. Esparza shot in and secured the takedown. She tried to do some damage, but Namajunas defended pretty well. She got in some short elbows. Esparza kept looking for openings. Namajunas kicked her off as she threatened for an arm and moved to her feet. Namajunas had a few strikes blocked. They traded strikes in the center. Namajunas looked to be tiring a bit. Namajunas shot in, but Esparza quickly countered and wound up on top. She postured up with a few strikes. She tried to pass, but Namajunas did fairly well in her guard. Namajunas landed an elbow from the bottom. Esparza stood and landed a right hand before dropping down. Esparza passed and landed a series of elbows. Namajunas pulled her back to half guard. Namajunas tried to kick her off, but Esparza passed and mounted her. Esparza postured up with strikes from the top. She was doing a lot of damage and she gave up her back. Esparza landed a couple more strikes as the round ended.

Penick's Scorecard: 10-8 Esparza. Namajunas is fading here, and she is having less and less of an answer for Esparza's top game as this fight wears on. Esparza dominated that round.

ROUND THREE: Esparza grabbed a foot off an early kick and scored a quick takedown. She passed much easier this time around. Rose gave up her back and tried to defend as the punches were coming. Esparza worked for a rear naked choke, but didn't get it under the chin. She kept the hold on and tightened it, and Namajunas tapped. Excellent performance from Esparza to remain keep herself on top.

WINNER: Esparza via submission (rear naked choke) at 1:26 of the third round

STAR RATING: (***) Esparza was just the best fighter coming into the season, and she's the best fighter coming out of the season. That fight with Claudia Gadelha we were supposed to get a year ago is next if Gadelha wins tomorrow night.

-That's one of three events in the books for this weekend! We'll be back tomorrow with reactions to this event and live coverage of UFC on Fox 13 and WSOF 16!