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#1 Worst: TUF 27 remains a disappointment
The 27th season of The Ultimate Fighter was largely maligned for the level of its talent - eventual winners Mike Trizano and Brad Katona just didn't seem as good as previous victors of the now-tired reality show, and nobody really paid much attention to July’s Finale outside of a breakout performance from non-TUF fighter Israel Adesanya in the main event.
Despite this, it felt like the UFC had stumbled on one great talent in Lightweight Luis Pena, AKA 'The Violent Bob Ross'. With good size for the division, well-rounded skills and a ruthless streak, many observers felt that he would've won the season had he not been forced out with an injury. Throw in his colourful personality, and it was understandable why the UFC would want to push him.
Pena made good in his Octagon debut in July by submitting Richie Smullen, and when he was matched with Trizano last night it felt like the UFC was trying to put things right and crown the true winner of the season.
How wrong was that idea? The fight was close, but in the end, it was Trizano's largely superior striking skills that allowed him to win a decision in what was a somewhat underwhelming contest. It wasn’t a bad fight by any means – just unmemorable, kind of like the majority of fights produced by TUF 27.
Only time will tell whether Pena will join the likes of Phillipe Nover and Rony Jason as an overhyped talent coming from TUF, but this wasn't the best start.
