Mehemmedali Osmanli’s Illegal Knee Derails TUF 34 Final
Ilimbek Akylbek Uulu became The Ultimate Fighter 34’s bantamweight winner, but the final ended before either man could settle the fight.
The TUF 34 bantamweight tournament had finally reached its last fight. Mehemmedali Osmanli and Ilimbek Akylbek Uulu took very different routes to get there, with Osmanli finishing both of his tournament bouts. Meanwhile, Akylbek went the distance against Sean Mora and Xavier Franklin.
Both men had plenty of momentum behind them heading into the finale. Osmanli was riding a nine-fight winning streak, while Akylbek had won his previous three. After weeks of competition, the two were finally left with one fight to decide who would walk away with the TUF 34 bantamweight crown.
Mehemmedali Osmanli’s Illegal Knee Ends the Final
Akylbek immediately looked to wrestle, taking Osmanli down and working from the top before the Azerbaijani fighter got back to his feet. Akylbek appeared to have the early edge before the fight suddenly changed.
As Akylbek moved back toward the canvas, Osmanli charged in and landed a knee to his head while he was grounded. Akylbek could not continue, and referee Kerry Hatley stopped the contest at 2:19 of the opening round. Osmanli was disqualified, giving Akylbek the TUF 34 bantamweight title.
That one was.... not legal.
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The result snapped Osmanli’s nine-fight winning streak.
Ilimbek Akylbek Uulu Makes Kyrgyzstan History
Akylbek had already put together a solid run to reach the final. He beat Sean Mora by split decision in the quarterfinals before earning a unanimous decision over Xavier Franklin in the semifinals.
The win over Osmanli added a historic first. Akylbek became the first fighter from Kyrgyzstan to win The Ultimate Fighter, according to current post-fight reporting. UFC lists Kyrgyzstan as Akylbek’s birthplace and Valentina Shevchenko as one of his inspirations because she was the country’s first UFC champion.
It was not the ending either fighter expected, but Akylbek leaves Las Vegas with the TUF 34 bantamweight crown while Osmanli’s nine-fight run comes to an abrupt end.
