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The TUF 18 finale is gaining fights quickly. And considering the large number of fighters expected to move on from this season of TUF to the UFC it may not be too long before the card is full up. The most recent addition to the TUF Finale card is a fight between two former ultimate fighter competitors and current rising welterweights Zak Cummings and Sergio Moraes. The UFC announced the match up last week:
Also at #TUF18 Finale 11/30 in Vegas: TUF 17's @ZakCummings vs. TUF Brasil's @ @SerginhoAllianc Moraes in a welterweight war
— UFC News (@UFCNews) October 8, 2013
While he didn't make it out of the first round of TUF 17, dropping a unanimous decision to Dylan Andrews, Cummings made waves in his UFC (and welterweight) debut agaisnt Benny Alloway. Cummings submitted Alloway in the first round with a nifty brabo choke. As a welterweight he appears to be making great use of his size and strength as an aggressive top control grappler. If he can keep his submission game tight he could make trouble for anyone in the division.
Anyone, perhaps, except his next opponent. Similar to Cummings, Moraes started his UFC career as a TUF middleweight on The Ultimate Fighter Brazil: Season 1. Through a series of injuries and substitutions he made it to the tournament finale of TUF Brazil, where he lost a unanimous decision to Cezar Ferreira. Following that loss he's dropped to Welterweight and rattled of two straight strong submission wins. His last one, a first round mounted triangle choke of Neil Magny was especially impressive. Much like Cummings, Moraes is a grappler first and foremost. Cummings is more than likely has the better wrestling, but as a multiple world Jiu Jitsu champion Moraes is certainly the more polished submission grappler. It should be interesting to see if this ends up being played out on the feet or whether one (or both) of these fighters believes they have a clear advantage on the ground.
The Ultimate Fighter 18 Finale takes place November 30th in Las Vegas, Nevada. Here's a look at the card so far:
Demetrious Johnson vs. Joseph Benavidez (Flyweight title fight)
Gray Maynard vs. Nate Diaz
Jared Rosholt vs. Walter Harris
Akira Corassani vs. Maximo Blanco
Rani Yahya vs. Tom Niinimäki
Zak Cummings vs. Sergio Moraes
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