Julianna Pena vs. Jessica Rakoczy, Roxanne Modafferi vs. Raquel Pennington completes TUF 18 Finale lineup
The 10-bout lineup for Saturday’s TUF 18 Finale now is complete with the official addition of a pair of women’s bantamweight fights.
In the women’s tournament final, Julianna Pena (4-2 MMA, 0-0 UFC) takes on Jessica Rakoczy (1-3 MMA, 0-0 UFC) to determine the first women’s “Ultimate Fighter†in UFC history. And semifinalist Raquel Pennington (3-3 MMA, 0-0 UFC) will meet Roxanne Modafferi (15-10 MMA, 0-0 UFC). Both fights will take place on the main card. The bouts became official following Wednesday’s airing of the final regular-season episode of Season 18 of “The Ultimate Fighter†on FOX Sports 1.
The TUF 18 Finale takes place Saturday at Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. The main card airs on FOX Sports 1 following prelims on FOX Sports 1 and MMAjunkie.
Pena lost two straight official fights prior to her appearance on “TUF 18,†but in the house, she was dominant. She submitted Shayna Baszler and Sarah Moras to reach the women’s final. Now she’ll be looking for her first official win in nearly two years, since starting her pro career 4-0. Rakoczy started her pro career 0-3, but prior to winning her way onto “TUF 18,†she picked up her first pro victory by stopping Kristin Gatz at Tachi Palace Fights 14. In the house, she beat Madafferi and Pennington to reach the final against Pena.
Pennington fell to Rakoczy by unanimous decision on Wednesday’s regular-season finale of “TUF 18,†but she’ll get an official fight in the UFC, anyway. Before her “TUF†appearance, Pennington dropped two straight fights under the Invicta banner, where she went 1-2. Her losses came to Cat Zingano and Leslie Smith, and her one win in the promotion was against eventual housemate Moras. The most veteran of the “TUF 18″ competitors, Modafferi will be looking to snap a five-fight losing skid when she makes her UFC debut. She won her fight to get into the house, but was then stopped by Rakoczy in the tournament’s opening round. She’ll be looking for her first official win since May 2010.
With the additions, the final TUF 18 Finale lineup includes:
MAIN CARD (FOX Sports 1, 10 p.m. ET)
Nate Diaz vs. Gray Maynard
Julianna Pena vs. Jessica Rakozczy – “TUF 18″ women’s tournament final
Davey Grant vs. Chris Holdsworth – “TUF 18″ men’s tournament final
Jessamyn Duke vs. Peggy Morgan
Roxanne Modafferi vs. Raquel Pennington
PRELIMINARY CARD (FOX Sports 1, 8 p.m. ET)
Maximo Blanco vs. Akira Corassani
Tom Niinimaki vs. Rani Yahya
Walter Harris vs. Jared Rosholt
Drew Dober vs. Sean Spencer
PRELIMINARY CARD (MMAjunkie, 7:30 p.m. ET)
Ryan Benoit vs. Joshua Sampo
