– Paul Dollery reports from Las Vegas
“IF SOMEONE DOESN’T show up tomorrow, I’m ready. I’ve won my last five fights, you’ve got to give it to me.”
That was the message from Frankie Edgar last night after he scored a massive win over Chad Mendes in the main event at the TUF 22 Finale. Edgar, the UFC’s former lightweight champion, enhanced his status as the next title challenger in the featherweight division by stopping Mendes with a first-round KO.
The 34-year-old has now won five in a row since he was defeated by Jose Aldo in February 2013. After this victory, it’ll be difficult for the UFC to ignore his claims for another shot at the 145lbs title, which will be on the line tonight when Aldo faces interim champion Conor McGregor in a featherweight title unification bout at UFC 194.
On the other hand, it’s a significant setback for Mendes, who has now lost in three of his last four outings. Edgar connected with a nice right-hook-left-uppercut combination to send Mendes downward and referee John McCarthy stepped in after just two minutes and 28 seconds.
In the co-main event, there was disappointment for Irish lightweight Artem Lobov when he lost to Ryan Hall via unanimous decision in the final of The Ultimate Fighter 22.
Elsewhere, Tony Ferguson picked up his seventh consecutive victory as he submitted Edson Barboza in the second round and Evan Dunham got the better of Joe Lauzon as their lightweight bout went the distance.
TUF 22 Finale results
- Frankie Edgar def. Chad Mendes via KO (punch) after 2:28 of round one
- Ryan Hall def. Artem Lobov via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-26)
- Tony Ferguson def. Edson Barboza via submission (D’Arce choke) after 2:54 of round two
- Evan Dunham def. Joe Lauzon via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-26)
- Tatsuya Kawajiri def. Jason Knight via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Julian Erosa def. Marcin Wrzosek via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
- Gabriel Gonzaga def. Konstantin Erokhin via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-28)
- Ryan LaFlare def. Mike Pierce via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
- Geane Herrera def. Joby Sanchez via TKO (punches) after 4:28 of round two
- Chris Gruetzemacher def. Abner Lloveras via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
