The Ultimate Fighter 21 Finale Full Fight Card, Date & Details
The Ultimate Fighter 21 Finale
United States
Main Card • Final
R1, 4:29
Performance of the Night
Nigeria
R2, 1:19
Performance of the Night
R3, 5:00
Brazil
R1, 4:22
Performance of the Night
R3, 2:38
Venezuela
R1, 0:16
Prelims • Final
R1, 2:52
Performance of the Night
R3, 5:00
R3, 5:00
R3, 5:00
Early Prelims • Final
R1, 1:36
Official Event Results
$50k POTN
Official Post-Fight Bonus Awards
$50,000 Post-Fight Bonus Recipients
Performance of the Night: Stephen Thompson earned $50,000 for his stunning spinning hook kick knockout of top contender Jake Ellenberger in the main event.
Performance of the Night: Kamaru Usman captured $50,000 for submitting Hayder Hassan with a second-round arm-triangle choke to win the TUF 21 tournament.
Performance of the Night: Jorge Masvidal was awarded $50,000 after scoring a vicious first-round elbow and punch knockout over Cezar Ferreira in his return to welterweight.
Performance of the Night: Josh Samman received $50,000 for submitting Caio Magalhaes via rear-naked choke at 2:52 of the opening round.
*Note: No Fight of the Night was awarded at this event.
Reported Payouts & Disclosed Purses
Fighter Purses & Total Payout Estimates
| Fighter | Result | Base Purse | Win / Finish Bonus | Performance Bonus | Estimated Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WIN | $51,000 | $51,000 | $50,000 | $152,000 | |
| WIN | $21,000 | $21,000 | $50,000 | $92,000 | |
| LOSS | $73,000 | — | — | $73,000 | |
| WIN | $10,000 | $10,000 | $50,000 | $70,000 | |
| WIN | $10,000 | $10,000 | $50,000 | $70,000 | |
| WIN | $18,400 | $23,000 | — | $41,400 | |
| WIN | $17,000 | $17,000 | — | $34,000 | |
| WIN | $15,000 | $15,000 | — | $30,000 | |
| WIN | $15,000 | $15,000 | — | $30,000 | |
| LOSS | $25,000 | — | — | $25,000 | |
| WIN | $10,000 | $10,000 | — | $20,000 | |
| WIN | $10,000 | $10,000 | — | $20,000 | |
| WIN | $10,000 | $10,000 | — | $20,000 | |
| LOSS | $20,000 | — | — | $20,000 | |
| LOSS | $20,000 | — | — | $20,000 | |
| LOSS | $17,600 | — | — | $17,600 | |
| LOSS | $11,000 | — | — | $11,000 | |
| LOSS | $10,000 | — | — | $10,000 | |
| LOSS | $10,000 | — | — | $10,000 | |
| LOSS | $10,000 | — | — | $10,000 | |
| LOSS | $10,000 | — | — | $10,000 | |
| LOSS | $10,000 | — | — | $10,000 |
*Disclosed purses reported by the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC). Total estimated figures include official post-fight performance bonus awards ($50,000 each). Maximo Blanco was fined 20% of his show purse ($4,600) for missing weight at 148.5 lbs, with the penalty awarded directly to Mike De La Torre. Payout figures do not include UFC Athlete Outfitting sponsorship payouts or undisclosed locker room bonuses.
Historic UFC Records Set
Promotional Records Established at The Ultimate Fighter 21 Finale
Future dominant UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman captured The Ultimate Fighter 21 tournament championship, submitting Hayder Hassan via arm-triangle choke in round 2.
Usman’s finale victory secured the individual $300,000 tournament team grand prize for the Blackzilians, successfully resolving the first-ever gym vs. gym format in TUF history.
Stephen Thompson recorded one of the most aesthetic knockouts of 2015, dropping Jake Ellenberger twice before sealing the finish with a flush spinning hook kick at 4:29 of round 1.
Maximo Blanco knocked out Mike De La Torre in just 16 seconds (0:16) of round 1, at the time the third-fastest stoppage in UFC featherweight history.
Former Invicta FC atomweight champion Michelle Waterson made a triumphant promotional debut, stepping up to 115 pounds to submit Angela Magana with a third-round rear-naked choke.
Returning to the welterweight division for the first time in five years, Jorge Masvidal flattened former TUF Brazil winner Cezar Ferreira via elbow and punches at 4:22 of Round 1.
TUF 21 Finale closed out UFC International Fight Week 2015 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, taking place just 24 hours after the historic UFC 189 pay-per-view.
Josh Samman kept his 100% UFC finishing rate intact, earning his second consecutive Performance of the Night bonus with a 2:52 submission of Caio Magalhaes.
Trevor Smith dominated Dan Miller across 15 minutes to earn unanimous scores of 30-25, 30-25, and 30-26, registering one of the widest scorecard differentials of 2015.
Future top welterweight contender and submission ace Vicente Luque made his official UFC promotional debut on the main card following his standout TUF 21 regular season.
George Sullivan landed a perfect 3 of 3 takedown attempts and connected with 54 significant strikes, controlling newcomer Dominic Waters across all three rounds.
Willie Gates delivered one of the fastest finishes of the evening, dismantling former title challenger Darrell Montague with knees and elbows in just 1:36 of round 1.
When and where did The Ultimate Fighter 21 Finale take place?
The Ultimate Fighter 21 Finale took place on Sunday, July 12, 2015, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Who won the main event between Stephen Thompson and Jake Ellenberger?
Stephen Thompson defeated Jake Ellenberger via KO (spinning hook kick and punches) at 4:29 of Round 1 in their welterweight headliner.
Who won The Ultimate Fighter Season 21 tournament?
Kamaru Usman won the tournament by submitting Hayder Hassan via arm-triangle choke at 1:19 of Round 2, winning the individual TUF trophy and $300,000 for his team.
What was unique about The Ultimate Fighter Season 21?
Season 21 featured a historic gym vs. gym team format between South Florida rivals American Top Team (ATT) and the Blackzilians, competing for point totals and gym prize money.
Who won the post-fight bonuses at The Ultimate Fighter 21 Finale?
Four fighters received $50,000 Performance of the Night bonuses: Stephen Thompson, Kamaru Usman, Jorge Masvidal, and Josh Samman. No Fight of the Night was awarded.
How did Jorge Masvidal perform in his return to welterweight?
In his first bout at 170 pounds since 2010, Jorge Masvidal knocked out Cezar Ferreira with an elbow and follow-up ground strikes at 4:22 of Round 1, earning Performance of the Night honors.
Who won the bout between Michelle Waterson-Gomez and Angela Magana?
Former Invicta FC atomweight champion Michelle Waterson-Gomez won her UFC debut by submitting Angela Magana via rear-naked choke at 2:38 of Round 3.
How fast was Maximo Blanco’s knockout victory over Mike De La Torre?
Maximo Blanco defeated Mike De La Torre via TKO (punches) in just 16 seconds of Round 1, recording one of the fastest finishes in featherweight history.
Did any fighter miss weight at The Ultimate Fighter 21 Finale?
Yes. Maximo Blanco weighed in at 148.5 pounds (2.5 pounds over the featherweight non-title limit) and was fined 20% of his purse ($4,600), which was awarded to opponent Mike De La Torre.
What were the official attendance and live gate figures?
The event drew an official crowd of 4,844 spectators at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, producing a live gate of $291,000.
How was The Ultimate Fighter 21 Finale broadcast?
The main card and preliminary card aired live in the United States on Fox Sports 1, while the early preliminary card streamed exclusively on UFC Fight Pass.
Who was on the commentary and broadcast team for the event?
Play-by-play commentator Jon Anik and color analyst Brian Stann called the event cageside, with Bruce Buffer serving as the official Octagon announcer.
What controversial post-fight incident occurred in Samman vs. Magalhaes?
Following his first-round submission loss, Caio Magalhaes spat blood toward Josh Samman, which subsequently resulted in a six-month suspension by the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC).
How lopsided was Trevor Smith’s decision victory over Dan Miller?
Smith landed 149 total strikes and secured dominant ground control to sweep the judges’ scorecards with lopsided totals of 30–25, 30–25, and 30–26.
What championship success did Kamaru Usman achieve after winning TUF 21?
Following his TUF 21 victory, Usman embarked on a historic 15-fight UFC winning streak, capturing the UFC Welterweight Championship in 2019 and successfully defending it five consecutive times.
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