TUFN 18 Recap

The UFC's first event in Tennessee didn't quite go according to script. The night was suppose to be a red carpet affair for former WEC welterweight champion, Carlos Condit. Instead he ran into a Danish wall named Martin Kampmann.

Kampmann's strategy was to use the clinch to transition to takedowns then utilize his jiu-jitsu. In the first minute Kampmann secured a tight guillotine. Condit demonstrated his own grappling skills by escaping the submission. Condit then transitioned to a dominant position, which Kampmann countered. With Kampmann secure in Condit's guard Martin gave up position to go for a heel lock. Once again Condit escaped landing an elbow which cut Kampmann. The first round was fairly one sided until Condit landed a knee flush to Kampmann's temple. The last minute was an exchange of punches with Martin securing a takedown in the last fifteen seconds. The round was extremely close.

Kampmann's strategy remained the same for the second round. Striking was used to set up the clinch, which was followed by takedowns. The only adjustment was less submission attempts on Martin's behalf. Instead Kampmann was content to sit in Condit's guard and ground-and-pound. Condit rallied in the middle of the round with his own guillotine attempt. The second round was extremely close as well.

The third round was a repeat of the second, except Condit was less effective guard. Kampmann kept the pressure on Condit with enough transitions and ground-and-pound to decisively secure the third round.

In the end it was a split decision with Martin Kampmann pulling out the victory.

Ryan Bader, winner of season eight of The Ultimate Fighter, also won his first bout since the reality show finale against Carmel Marrero.

Bader looked strong in the first round, securing a takedown from a powerful slam, which he then transitioned into side control, a crucifix then an armbar attempt. The first round was the most impressive display by Bader to date. Over the next two rounds Ryan wore down Marrero with superior wrestling.

Tyson Griffin and Rafael dos Anjos engaged in a highly entertaining bout. Dos Anjos initially got the better of Griffin, but after a twisting leg compression dos Anjos was largely quite. Griffin responded from the submission attempt with superior striking. There was still an oddity with the judges score cards, considering all three had Griffin winning the first round. Odd due to how deep dos Anjos' leg lock was.

In the first bout of the evening Cole Miller faced off against the infamous Junie Browning. Browning was the controversial fighter from the eight season of The Ultimate Fighter. These two lightweights had almost come to blows at the weigh in and the war of words that started with Junie challenging the legitimacy of Miller's Jiu-Jitsu brown belt continued in the Octagon.

Miller, also an Ultimate Fighter alum, got the better of Browning in every aspect. After landing a big right Miller took Browning down and secured a guillotine choke. As Browning tapped out Miller stood up and screamed 'whose overrated now?' in reference to Browning's previous trash talk. Miller immediately went to his corner to drape his brown belt around his body. During the post fight Miller wore a tribute shirt to recently deceased Tapout founder, Charles 'Mask' Lewis.

The UFC followed the fight with their own tribute to the Tapout founder.

At the weigh-ins one fighter disclosed the use of Adderall and wasn't allowed to fight. Gleison Tibau and Jeremy Stephens both came in over weight and ended up fighting at a catchweight of 158lbs. 

Full results: