The Ultimate Fighter 26 Finale Full Fight Card, Date & Details
The Ultimate Fighter 26 Finale
United States
Main Card • Final
R5, 5:00
Inaugural Title
Fight of the Night
R3, 5:00
R3, 5:00
R2, 2:18
Performance of the Night
R3, 5:00
Hungary
Wales
R1, 0:30
Performance of the Night
Prelims • Final
R1, 2:00
Canada
R3, 0:58
R1, 1:40
Armenia
R2, 2:53
Early Prelims • Final
R1, 2:12
Official Event Results
Inaugural Title
$50k FOTN
Official Post-Fight Bonus Awards
$50,000 Post-Fight Bonus Recipients
Fight of the Night: Nicco Montaño and Roxanne Modafferi each earned $50,000 for their grueling five-round title clash to crown the inaugural flyweight champion.
Performance of the Night: Gerald Meerschaert earned $50,000 for his second-round liver kick stoppage of Eric Spicely.
Performance of the Night: Brett Johns collected $50,000 for securing only the second calf slicer submission in UFC history in just 30 seconds against Joe Soto.
Reported Payouts & Disclosed Purses
Fighter Purses & Total Payout Estimates
| Fighter | Result | Base Purse | Win / Finish Bonus | Performance Bonus | Estimated Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WIN | $50,000 | $50,000 | $50,000 | $150,000 | |
| LOSS | $100,000 | — | $50,000 | $150,000 | |
| WIN | $10,000 | $10,000 | — | $20,000 | |
| LOSS | $10,000 | — | — | $10,000 | |
| WIN | $10,000 | $10,000 | — | $20,000 | |
| LOSS | $10,000 | — | — | $10,000 | |
| WIN | $14,000 | $14,000 | $50,000 | $78,000 | |
| LOSS | $14,000 | — | — | $14,000 | |
| DRAW | $10,000 | — | — | $10,000 | |
| DRAW | $10,000 | — | — | $10,000 | |
| WIN | $14,000 | $14,000 | $50,000 | $78,000 | |
| LOSS | $31,000 | — | — | $31,000 | |
| WIN | $10,000 | $10,000 | — | $20,000 | |
| LOSS | $10,000 | — | — | $10,000 | |
| WIN | $12,000 | $12,000 | — | $24,000 | |
| LOSS | $28,000 | — | — | $28,000 | |
| WIN | $10,000 | $10,000 | — | $23,000 | |
| LOSS | $7,000 | — | — | $7,000 | |
| WIN | $10,000 | $10,000 | — | $20,000 | |
| LOSS | $10,000 | — | — | $10,000 | |
| WIN | $10,000 | $10,000 | — | $20,000 | |
| LOSS | $10,000 | — | — | $10,000 |
*Disclosed purses reported to the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC). Total disclosed fighter payroll was $553,000. Karine Gevorgyan weighed in at 130 lbs (4 lbs over the flyweight limit) and was fined 30% of her purse ($3,000), which was awarded to Rachael Ostovich. Total figures include official post-fight performance bonuses ($50,000 each).
Historic UFC Records Set
Promotional Records Established at The Ultimate Fighter 26 Finale
Nicco Montaño made promotional history by defeating Roxanne Modafferi over five championship rounds to become the inaugural UFC Women’s Flyweight Champion, completing a Cinderella run as the No. 14 tournament seed.
Brett Johns locked in a rare calf slicer submission on Joe Soto in just 30 seconds of Round 1, recording only the second calf slicer finish in UFC history alongside Charles Oliveira (UFC on FX 5).
Brett Johns’ 30-second calf slicer stood as the second-fastest submission finish in UFC bantamweight division history, trailing only Ronda Rousey’s 14-second armbar at UFC 184.
Future UFC Bantamweight Champion Sean O’Malley made his official promotional debut, landing 141 significant strikes across three rounds to defeat Terrion Ware via unanimous decision.
Ryan Janes survived two knockdowns and 96 significant strikes across the first two rounds before launching a stunning third-round barrage to finish TUF winner Andrew Sanchez via TKO at 0:58 of Round 3.
Gillian Robertson began her record-breaking UFC submission journey by submitting Emily Whitmire via armbar in 2:12 of Round 1, claiming her first of many division finishes.
After finalist Sijara Eubanks was hospitalized on the day of weigh-ins due to weight-cutting complications, semifinalist Roxanne Modafferi stepped into the championship main event on less than 24 hours’ notice.
The card featured seven female flyweight bouts on a single event, establishing the promotional record for the most women’s 125-pound fights contested on a single UFC fight card.
Gerald Meerschaert scored a devastating second-round TKO via a clean liver kick against Eric Spicely, collecting his first UFC Performance of the Night bonus award.
Melinda Fábián became the first female mixed martial artist representing Hungary to compete inside the Octagon, battling DeAnna Bennett to a majority draw.
Montana De La Rosa secured her first official UFC finish by submitting Christina Marks with an armbar in exactly two minutes of Round 1.
The Ultimate Fighter 26 Finale served as the first mixed martial arts event ever hosted at the Park Theater (now Dolby Live at Park MGM) in Paradise, Nevada, drawing 2,750 attendees.
When and where did The Ultimate Fighter 26 Finale take place?
The Ultimate Fighter 26 Finale took place on Friday, December 1, 2017, at the Park Theater (now Dolby Live) in Paradise, Nevada, within the Las Vegas Metropolitan Area.
Who won the main event between Nicco Montaño and Roxanne Modafferi?
Nicco Montaño defeated Roxanne Modafferi via unanimous decision (50–45, 49–46, 49–46) over five rounds to be crowned the inaugural UFC Women’s Flyweight Champion.
Why did Roxanne Modafferi fight in the main event instead of Sijara Eubanks?
Tournament finalist Sijara Eubanks was hospitalized on the day of weigh-ins due to severe medical complications and kidney failure related to cutting weight, leading semifinalist Roxanne Modafferi to step in on short notice.
How did Sean O’Malley perform in his UFC promotional debut?
Making his official Octagon debut in the co-main event, Sean O’Malley defeated Terrion Ware via unanimous decision (29–28, 29–28, 29–28), landing 141 significant strikes.
How rare was Brett Johns’ calf slicer submission over Joe Soto?
Brett Johns’ calf slicer finish in just 30 seconds of Round 1 was only the second calf slicer in UFC history, following Charles Oliveira’s submission of Eric Wisely at UFC on FX 5 in 2012.
Who earned the $50,000 post-fight bonuses at this event?
Four fighters received $50,000 bonuses: Nicco Montaño vs. Roxanne Modafferi earned Fight of the Night, while Gerald Meerschaert and Brett Johns each captured Performance of the Night honors.
How did Ryan Janes mount a comeback against Andrew Sanchez?
After being dropped twice and badly hurt through the first two rounds, Ryan Janes rallied with relentless pressure in the third round to finish Andrew Sanchez via TKO at 0:58 of Round 3.
Why did DeAnna Bennett vs. Melinda Fábián end in a majority draw?
Melinda Fábián was deducted one point in Round 2 for grabbing the cage to defend a takedown, resulting in scorecards of 29–27, 28–28, 28–28 for a majority draw.
Why was Karine Gevorgyan fined at this event?
Karine Gevorgyan weighed in at 130 lbs (4 lbs over the flyweight limit) and was fined 30% of her purse ($3,000), which was awarded to Rachael Ostovich, who submitted Gevorgyan in Round 1.
How did Gillian Robertson begin her UFC submission record run?
Canada’s Gillian Robertson submitted Emily Whitmire via armbar at 2:12 of Round 1 in the early prelims, securing the first of her promotional-record submission victories.
What was the result of Lauren Murphy vs. Barb Honchak?
Lauren Murphy defeated former Invicta FC flyweight champion Barb Honchak via split decision (29–28, 28–29, 29–28) in a competitive three-round main-card bout.
How did Gerald Meerschaert finish Eric Spicely?
Gerald Meerschaert landed a stinging left kick to Eric Spicely’s liver, causing an immediate collapse and folding Spicely for a TKO at 2:18 of Round 2.
What was the attendance and disclosed fighter payroll?
The event drew 2,750 fans at the Park Theater, with a total disclosed fighter purse payroll of $553,000 as reported by the Nevada State Athletic Commission.
Who called the fights at The Ultimate Fighter 26 Finale?
Play-by-play announcer Brendan Fitzgerald was joined in the booth by active UFC lightweight Paul Felder, with Joe Martinez announcing.
Where are official event articles and coverage available?
Official coverage and features are accessible on the official UFC News Feature, MMA Fighting Report, and IMDb.
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