LAS VEGAS, NV – AUGUST 23: (L-R) Opponents Robert Valentin and Ryan Roeder of Switzerland face off during the UFC Fight Night weigh-ins at UFC APEX on August 23, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
The Ultimate Fighter 32 at UFC Las Vegas 96 concluded on Saturday with the featherweight and middleweight finals, with Ryan Roeder facing off against Robert Valentin in the middleweight division.
Coach Alexa Grasso and Valetina Shevchenko are scheduled to face off for a third time next month, but either Lauder or Valentin will earn a UFC berth in Saturday’s middleweight final.
Roeder started the bout with a high kick followed by an upper body takedown. Valentin got his feet up and quickly threatened with a submission. He took advantage and tried to get up, but Roeder took him down. Roeder had a scarf hold armlock in place, but Valentin scrambled and took his back. Valentin flattened Roeder and went for a rear-naked choke. Roeder survived, but Valentin still had the body triangle. Valentin went for the rear-naked choke again, but Roeder fought off his wrist, turned to face Valentin and went up on top. With a minute left, Roeder hadn’t done much damage, but finished the round on top.
In the second round, Roeder went for a takedown right away. Valentin used the Wizard, but when Valentin tried to jump on his back, Roeder landed on top. Roeder trapped Valentin in a crucifix and landed a number of short elbow strikes. Valentin was unable to get out of the position, and the referee finally decided enough was enough. Ryan Roeder was victorious by TKO and became the TUF 32 Middleweight Champion.
Official result: Ryan Roeder defeats Robert Valentin by TKO (elbow), Round 2, 1 minute, 49 seconds
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