The Ultimate Fighter 28 Finale Full Fight Card, Date & Details
The Ultimate Fighter 28 Finale
United States
Main Card • Final
Nigeria
R5, 5:00
Performance of the Night
Brazil
Spain
R1, 3:36
TUF Tournament Final
Performance of the Night
R2, 2:11
TUF Tournament Final
Sweden
R1, 2:39
R3, 5:00
England
Kyrgyzstan
R3, 5:00
South Korea
Prelims • Final
R3, 5:00
R1, 4:19
Performance of the Night
R1, 2:14
Cuba
R3, 5:00
Lithuania
Early Prelims • Final
R1, 4:50
Performance of the Night
R1, 1:18
R2, 4:12
Official Event Results
$50k POTN
TUF 28 Tournament Final
$50k POTN
TUF 28 Tournament Final
$50k POTN
Official Post-Fight Bonus Awards
$50,000 Post-Fight Bonus Recipients
Performance of the Night: Kamaru Usman earned $50,000 for his relentless five-round domination of former champion Rafael dos Anjos, securing 12 takedowns and 130 significant strikes to punch his ticket to a UFC title shot.
Performance of the Night: Juan Espino pocketed $50,000 after winning the TUF 28 Heavyweight tournament with a dominant first-round straight armlock submission over Justin Frazier.
Performance of the Night: Joseph Benavidez received $50,000 for a furious first-round ground-and-pound TKO victory over surging prospect Alex Perez at 4:19.
Performance of the Night: Roosevelt Roberts captured $50,000 in his official UFC promotional debut, catching Darrell Horcher in a tight first-round guillotine choke at 4:50.
*Note: No Fight of the Night bonus was awarded; the UFC opted to award four individual Performance of the Night bonuses.
Reported Payouts & Disclosed Purses
Fighter Purses & Total Payout Estimates
| Fighter | Result | Base Purse | Win / Finish Bonus | Performance Bonus | Estimated Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WIN | $75,000 | $75,000 | $50,000 | $200,000 | |
| LOSS | $110,000 | — | — | $110,000 | |
| WIN | $15,000 | $15,000 | $50,000 | $80,000 | |
| LOSS | $15,000 | — | — | $15,000 | |
| WIN | $15,000 | $15,000 | — | $30,000 | |
| LOSS | $15,000 | — | — | $15,000 | |
| WIN | $45,000 | $45,000 | — | $90,000 | |
| LOSS | $21,000 | — | — | $21,000 | |
| WIN | $10,000 | $10,000 | — | $20,000 | |
| LOSS | $22,000 | — | — | $22,000 | |
| WIN | $15,000 | $15,000 | — | $32,100* | |
| LOSS | $14,000 | — | — | $9,800* | |
| WIN | $10,000 | $10,000 | — | $25,000* | |
| LOSS | $25,000 | — | — | $20,000* | |
| WIN | $73,000 | $73,000 | $50,000 | $196,000 | |
| LOSS | $22,000 | — | — | $22,000 | |
| 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 | $10,000 | $10,000 | $50,000 | $70,000 | |
| LOSS | $15,000 | — | — | $15,000 | |
| WIN | $49,000 | $49,000 | — | $98,000 | |
| LOSS | $14,000 | — | — | $14,000 | |
| WIN | $12,000 | $12,000 | — | $24,000 | |
| LOSS | $10,000 | — | — | $10,000 |
*Official disclosed purses reported by the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC). Total disclosed payroll was $1,007,000. Ji Yeon Kim weighed in at 130.5 lbs (4.5 lbs over the flyweight limit) and was fined 30% of her purse ($4,200), with $2,100 awarded to Antonina Shevchenko and $2,100 to the NSAC. Rick Glenn weighed in at 148.5 lbs (2.5 lbs over the featherweight limit) and was fined 20% of his purse ($5,000), which was awarded directly to Kevin Aguilar. Total estimated figures include official post-fight performance bonuses ($50,000 each).
Historic UFC Records & Milestones Set
Promotional Records Established at The Ultimate Fighter 28 Finale
Kamaru Usman completed 12 takedowns against Rafael dos Anjos, setting a career best and tying for the third-most takedowns landed in a single UFC welterweight contest.
With his 9th consecutive Octagon victory, Kamaru Usman secured the second-longest active win streak in the welterweight division, earning an immediate UFC title shot against Tyron Woodley.
At 38 years old, Spanish heavyweight Juan Espino became the oldest fighter in history to win The Ultimate Fighter tournament, submitting Justin Frazier in the opening round.
Macy Chiasson captured the inaugural Women’s Featherweight tournament crown in The Ultimate Fighter history by finishing Pannie Kianzad with a second-round rear-naked choke.
With Antonina Shevchenko’s successful promotional debut, she and Valentina Shevchenko officially became the first pair of sisters to compete on the UFC roster.
Maurice Greene pulled off one of the rarest finishes in modern heavyweight history, tapping 2008 Olympic wrestling bronze medalist Michel Batista with a bottom triangle choke at 2:14 of Round 1.
At just 21 years old, DWCS signee Edmen Shahbazyan completed 8 takedowns to defeat veteran Darren Stewart via split decision, advancing his flawless professional record to 8-0.
Joseph Benavidez notched his fifth stoppage victory in the UFC flyweight division, halting top contender Alex Perez’s eight-fight win streak via first-round TKO at 4:19.
Pedro Munhoz delivered a pinpoint liver kick and follow-up barrage to finish former title challenger Bryan Caraway in the opening round, securing his fourth first-round UFC stoppage.
Roosevelt Roberts preserved his unblemished 7-0 record by trapping Darrell Horcher in a standing-to-ground guillotine choke at 4:50 of Round 1, earning Performance of the Night honors.
Tim Means rebounded emphatically with a 78-second TKO victory over Ricky Rainey, recording the 19th knockout finish of his storied mixed martial arts career.
The UFC opted to forego a traditional Fight of the Night award, instead awarding four individual $50,000 Performance of the Night checks to Usman, Espino, Benavidez, and Roberts.
When and where did The Ultimate Fighter 28 Finale take place?
The Ultimate Fighter 28 Finale took place on Friday, November 30, 2018, at the Pearl Concert Theater at Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Who won the main event between Rafael dos Anjos and Kamaru Usman?
Kamaru Usman defeated former UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos via unanimous decision (50–43, 49–45, 48–47) across five dominant rounds.
What did Kamaru Usman earn with his victory at the TUF 28 Finale?
Usman’s lopsided victory earned him an official title shot against reigning welterweight champion Tyron Woodley at UFC 235, where Usman went on to become the undisputed champion.
Who won the TUF 28 Heavyweight tournament?
Spain’s Juan Espino defeated Justin Frazier via armbar submission at 3:36 of Round 1 to win the TUF 28 Heavyweight tournament and an official UFC contract.
Who won the TUF 28 Women’s Featherweight tournament?
Macy Chiasson defeated Pannie Kianzad via rear-naked choke submission at 2:11 of Round 2 to become the inaugural TUF Women’s Featherweight champion.
Who won the $50,000 post-fight bonuses at The Ultimate Fighter 28 Finale?
Four fighters received $50,000 Performance of the Night awards: Kamaru Usman, Juan Espino, Joseph Benavidez, and Roosevelt Roberts. No Fight of the Night was awarded.
What historical milestone did Antonina and Valentina Shevchenko achieve?
With Antonina Shevchenko’s successful Octagon debut victory over Ji Yeon Kim, she and sister Valentina Shevchenko became the first sisters in UFC history to compete on the promotion’s active roster.
How did Joseph Benavidez defeat Alex Perez?
Joseph Benavidez stopped Alex Perez via TKO (punches) at 4:19 of Round 1 after dropping him and raining down unanswered ground strikes.
How did Maurice Greene defeat Olympic wrestling medalist Michel Batista?
Maurice Greene pulled off a rare heavyweight triangle choke submission from the bottom guard, forcing Batista to tap out at just 2:14 of Round 1.
Who missed weight at The Ultimate Fighter 28 Finale?
Two fighters missed weight: Ji Yeon Kim weighed 130.5 lbs (fined 30% of her purse) and Rick Glenn weighed 148.5 lbs (fined 20% of his purse). Both lost their respective catchweight bouts.
What was the official attendance and live gate for the event?
The event drew an official crowd of 2,020 spectators producing a live gate of $204,600 at the Pearl Concert Theater.
How was The Ultimate Fighter 28 Finale broadcast?
The main card and preliminary bouts aired live on cable network Fox Sports 1, while early preliminary action streamed live on UFC Fight Pass.
Who were the commentators and announcer for the event?
The broadcast was called by play-by-play announcer Brendan Fitzgerald alongside color commentator Jimmy Smith, with veteran announcer Joe Martinez handling Octagon introductions.
What record did Juan Espino set by winning TUF 28?
At 38 years of age, Juan Espino became the oldest competitor to ever win The Ultimate Fighter tournament in the history of the reality franchise.
Who were the head coaches on The Ultimate Fighter Season 28?
The season was coached by reigning UFC Middleweight Champion Robert Whittaker and top middleweight contender Kelvin Gastelum.
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