Sanchez defeats Guida in bloody battle

Brits dominate TUF finals: Pearson takes lightweight; Wilks wins welterweight

Jun 20, 2009 (5:15 p.m.)

By Brett Okamoto,
Andy Samuelson

Diego Sanchez may have won the main event Saturday night but it was the nearly 2,000 or so fans in the Pearl theater who were the real winners, seeing several fight-of-the-night contenders and one bloody main event that somehow went the distance. Team U.K. made it two-for-two tonight winning both bouts of the TUF finals.

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  Ultimate Fighter Finale

  

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  Diego Sanchez won the main event at "The Ultimate Fighter" No. 9 finale. Britain's Ross Pearson and Team U.K.'s James Wilks are the Ultimate Fighter winners for season 9.

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  Brits living American (global) MMA dream

  June 21, 2009

  By Andy Samuelson

  The Ultimate Fighter winners Ross Pearson and James Wilks have complete loyalty to the United Kingdom, but have no problem thanking the United States or the American-based reality TV show for helping them find big-time mixed martial arts success.

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  Brits proved tough enough for MMA

  June 20, 2009

  By Andy Samuelson

  The ninth installment of the UFC’s popular reality television show “The Ultimate Fighter” offered a unique twist as two countries, not mere teams, squared off for the first time for Spike TV audiences. The finale of the season that pitted the United States against the United Kingdom comes today at the Pearl at the Palms when two of the four finalists in the lightweight and welterweight divisions will win guaranteed six-figure fight contracts to compete in the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization.

• Photogallery

  'TUF' 9 Weigh-Ins

  Main event participants Diego Sanchez and Clay Guida exchange stares and not-so-pleasant pleasantries during Friday's weigh-in at the Palms.

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  Scary Sanchez stares down Guida at ‘TUF’ weigh-in

  June 19, 2009

  By Brett Okamoto

  Diego Sanchez is one scary guy. They don’t call the New Mexico native “Nightmare” for no reason. Even when approaching the stage for something as innocent as a weigh-in, Sanchez has the look of a wolf ready to kill something and eat it for dinner.

• Photogallery

  The Ultimate Fighter No. 9

  Combatants taking part in Saturday's finale of The Ultimate Fighter season No. 9 took part in a media workout Thursday at the Palms.

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  ‘Daddy’ Stevenson ready to bring big win home

  June 20, 2009

  By Andy Samuelson

  With four children and a nickname like “Daddy,” obviously Joe Stevenson’s family is of the utmost importance to him. But being a professional fighter sometimes requires significant sacrifices. That’s why for the last eight weeks, the Victorville, Calif.-based Stevenson has called Albuquerque, New Mexico home. “I have my whole concentration on this fight with Nate (Diaz),” said Stevenson.

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  Sanchez could lock up title shot with win Saturday

  June 18, 2009

  By Brett Okamoto

  Diego Sanchez has seen enough Clay Guida fights to know that at some point in their Saturday night contest at the Pearl at the Palms, the aggressive lightweight is probably going to try to take him down. If it happens, Sanchez has a little surprise for him.

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  Clay Guida: Fishing for a title shot

  June 16, 2009

  By Brett Okamoto

  There’s a fine line between a professional mixed martial arts career and a saved seat at the end of the bar. At least that’s the case for UFC lightweight Clay Guida.