Known as a wrestling specialist, Juan Espino didn’t mess around in The Ultimate Fighter 28heavyweight tournament final.
Espino authored a one-sided domination of Justin Frazier in the co-main event of The Ultimate Fighter 28 Finale on Friday in Las Vegas, scoring takedowns at will and finishing with a keylock 3:36 into the opening round.
From the opening bell, Espino essentially mauled Frazier, scoring with a huge slam seconds into round one and never letting up from there. Espino pinned Frazier down against the cage and rained down punches, testing Frazier’s heart and durability. The Arkansas native did manage to explode up onto his feet midway through the round, but Espino stayed locked in and drove forward to score another takedown.
Espino then went to work from side control, using his legs to pin Frazier in a crucifix position and secure the armlock that forced Frazier to tap out. It was the eighth win in nine pro bouts for Spain’s Espino, who at 38 is the oldest TUF winner in the show’s 14-year history.
Frazier’s record dropped to 10-3 after he suffered his first-ever submission loss.
