Updated Fighter Grades: Post-TUF 25 Finale

Jay Primetown gives his thoughts on each of the fighters who competed at The Ultimate Fighter 25 Finale in Las Vegas, Nevada. Jay gives his letter grades for each fighter on TheMMA-Analysis podcast which can be found on MMAOddsBreaker.com.

Teruto Ishihara vs. Gray Maynard

Ishihara: He really struggled in this fight. In the brief moments this fight was contested on the feet, he had some success. However, he was taken to the mat over and over in this bout and had little ability to get back to his feet. Downgraded from D to D-

Maynard: His best performance in years in the UFC. He controlled this fight from start to finish with strong offensive wrestling and control from top position. If Maynard continues this approach, he’s capable of at least a few more fights prior to retirement. Upgraded from D to D+

Juliana Lima vs. Tecia Torres

Lima: She secured a takedown early in the fight, but other than that didn’t offer much offense. She’s typically the stronger fighter in her bouts, but really wasn’t able to dictate the action here. Grade remains C+

Torres: The “Tiny Tornado” put in a solid performance in earning her first career stoppage win. Typically, it’s her striking that stands out, but in this fight it was her grappling. That presents a new wrinkle in her game as she solidifies her position in the division. Upgraded from B to B+

CB Dollaway vs. Ed Herman

Dollaway: In an even contest heading into round three, Dollaway got a takedown early and was able to dominate control for the remainder of the round to win a decision. Grade remains C-

Herman: Once he was put on his back in this bout, he showed no ability to get back to his feet. His lack of speed a major issue for him moving forward. Downgraded from C to D+

Tom Gallicchio vs. James Krause

Gallicchio: He offered little resistance on the feet, absorbing clean jabs throughout the bout. On the ground, he’s a serviceable fighter, but his stand-up just isn’t good enough to compete at this level. Debut grade is F

Krause: He fared well in this matchup, as he was able to dictate the striking. His lack of power is what has held him back in the UFC in his previous stint and will do so again. Debut grade is D+

Angela Hill vs. Ashley Yoder

Hill: She did a nice job of landing kicks to her opponent’s lead leg as well as some power punches. She showed improvements in her grappling, even securing a takedown in this bout to earn her first victory in the UFC. Grade remains B-

Yoder: She had some success in the grappling in round two, but otherwise was forced into a standing where she was at a major disadvantage. Grade remains C-

Marcel Fortuna vs. Jordan Johnson

Fortuna: He did a good job of defending takedowns and landing some decent strikes on the counter. He was not active enough on the feet to get the win, but he was competitive against a highly regarded competitor to earn an upgrade in ranking. Upgraded from D to D+

Johnson: Not his best performance overall, but he showed a solid chin and a decent gas tank being able to once again fight for 15 minutes. I’d like to see him tested against a better striker in his next outing before beginning to take on ranked opposition. Grade remains C

Brad Tavares vs. Elias Theodorou

Tavares: He had some combinations on the feet but did surprisingly well late in the fight in the grappling exchanges, and it was enough for him to win the fight. Upgraded from C to C+

Theodorou: After a slow start, Theodorou relied on his conditioning to push him in an even fight with two minutes left in the bout. He made some costly mistakes in the grappling though, losing key positions which gave away the fight. Theodorou has a great gas tank, but he needs more than that to move beyond the fringe of the middleweight Top 15. Grade remains C

Jared Cannonier vs. Nick Roehrick

Cannonier: He fought with a lot of confidence, using speed and power in this bout. He’s a scary fight for most in this division. Upgraded from C- to C

Roehrick: He has the ability to throw hard, but his technical striking is lower rung for UFC standards. He has a tremendous chin and will continue to push even when down. That alone will give him chances to earn wins. Debut grade is D

Marc Diakiese vs. Drakkar Klose

Diakiese: He did a terrible job checking leg kicks in this bout and lost all the power to work off it as the fight went on. This was the first loss of his career and a big learning experience for him. Downgraded from C to C-

Klose: He made this a dog fight and got the win. He fought a smart game plan, chopping down the lead leg of his opponent and keeping the fight at close range so Diakiese couldn’t land his dynamic strikes. Upgraded from D+ to C-

Dhiego Lima vs. Jesse Taylor

Lima: Outside of a big punch at the beginning of round two, he was never in this fight. He was simply controlled on the mat by a much better grappler. Lima struggled in his first stint in the UFC and will likely struggle again. Debut grade is D

Taylor:  He has his limitations as a fighter, but when Taylor can get his opponents to the mat, he can make his opponent’s life very difficult. That is what happened in this fight, and he can be a very difficult out for others in the future in the UFC. Debut grade is D+

Justin Gaethje vs. Michael Johnson

Gaethje: One of the best debuts in the over 20-year history of the UFC. Gaethje left it all in the cage, landing over 100 significant strikes in two rounds of action. Gaethje’s second-round finish of Johnson capped off perhaps the fight of the year thus far in the UFC and instantly catapults the newcomer into the title conversation. Upgraded from B+ to A

Johnson: He had his opponent in trouble twice in this fight but was unable to get the finish. Johnson put a lot of effort into the second one and began to fade after that before he was eventually was finished. He showed he can compete in a war, but what I saw in this bout makes me certain he’ll never be able to contend for a championship. Grade remains B+