View source for The Ultimate Fighter: Heavy Hitters

{{short description|UFC mixed martial arts television series and event in 2018}}
{{Infobox television
|image = 
|genre = [[reality television|Reality]], [[Broadcasting of sports events|Sports]]
|runtime = 60 minutes
|creator = [[Frank Fertitta III]], [[Lorenzo Fertitta]], [[Dana White]]
|starring = [[Dana White]]<br> [[Robert Whittaker (fighter)|Robert Whittaker]]<br> [[Kelvin Gastelum]]
|country = United States
|network = [[Fox Sports 1]]
|first_aired = {{Start date|2018|08|29}}<ref name="date">{{Cite news|url=https://www.mmanytt.com/the-ultimate-fighter/the-ultimate-fighter-28-cast-revealed-with-heavyweights-and-womens-featherweights/|title='The Ultimate Fighter' 28 Cast Revealed with Heavyweights and Women's Featherweights {{!}} MMAnytt.com|date=2018-07-11|work=MMAnytt.com|access-date=2018-07-11|language=en-US}}</ref>
|last_aired = {{End date|2018|11|30}}<ref name="date" />
}}

'''''The Ultimate Fighter: Heavy Hitters''''' (also known as ''''' The Ultimate Fighter 28''''')  is an installment of the [[Ultimate Fighting Championship]] (UFC)-produced [[reality television]] series ''[[The Ultimate Fighter]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://m.ufc.com/news/Whittaker-and-Gastelum-to-coach-The-Ultimate-Fighter-Heavy-Hitters|title=Whittaker and Gastelum to coach The Ultimate Fighter: Heavy Hitters – Ultimate Fighting Championship-Mobile|last=Mobile|first=Adept|website=m.ufc.com|access-date=2018-07-09}}</ref>
The season tournament finale took place on November 30, 2018, at [[Palms Casino Resort|Pearl Theatre at Palms Casino Resort]] on [[Fox Sports 1]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Robert-Whittaker-to-Defend-UFC-Title-vs-Kelvin-Gastelum-Following-TUF-28-Coaching-Stint-139085|title=Robert Whittaker to Defend UFC Title vs. Kelvin Gastelum Following ‘TUF 28’ Coaching Stint|last=Sherdog.com|website=Sherdog|access-date=2018-07-09}}</ref>

Tryouts were announced on April 25, 2018. This season featured fighters from the women's featherweight and men's heavyweight divisions.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://mmajunkie.com/2018/04/the-ultimate-fighter-28-tryouts-set-for-may-22-targeting-heavyweight-men-featherweight-women|title='The Ultimate Fighter 28' tryouts set for May 22, targeting heavyweight men, featherweight women|date=2018-04-25|work=MMAjunkie|access-date=2018-07-09|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.ufc.com/news/tuf28|title=TUF 28 Application|work=UFC|access-date=2018-07-09|language=en}}</ref><ref name="TUF28">{{Cite news|url=https://www.mmamania.com/2018/7/11/17561934/tuf-28-cast-announced-heavy-hitters-debuting-aug-29-fox-sports-1|title=TUF 28 cast announced for ‘Heavy Hitters’ debuting Aug. 29 on FOX Sports 1|date=2018-07-11|work=mmamania.com|author=Jesse Holland|access-date=2018-07-11|language=en-US}}</ref> The coaches for this season were announced on July 7, pitting  [[The Ultimate Fighter: The Smashes]] winner and [[UFC Middleweight Championship|UFC Middleweight Champion]] [[Robert Whittaker (fighter)|Robert Whittaker]] against [[The Ultimate Fighter 17]] winner [[Kelvin Gastelum]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://mmajunkie.com/2018/07/ufc-robert-whittaker-kelvin-gastelum-to-coach-tuf-28-title-fight-later-this-year|title=UFC champ Robert Whittaker, Kelvin Gastelum to coach 'TUF 28'; title fight later this year|date=2018-07-07|work=MMAjunkie|access-date=2018-07-09|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.mmamania.com/2018/7/6/17543388/robert-whittaker-and-kelvin-gastelum-will-fight-for-title-after-coaching-tuf-28-mma-ufc|title=Whittaker And Gastelum To Fight For Title, Coach TUF 28|work=MMAmania.com|access-date=2018-07-09}}</ref> A middleweight title fight was scheduled between Whittaker and Gastelum after the show on February 9, 2019, at [[UFC 234]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/24021966/robert-whittaker-vs-kelvin-gastelum-close-set-ufc-middleweight-title|title=UFC: Whittaker to defend title against Gastelum|work=ESPN.com|access-date=2018-07-09}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cbssports.com/mma/news/robert-whittaker-vs-kelvin-gastelum-to-take-place-for-middleweight-title-after-coaching-tuf-28/|title=Robert Whittaker vs. Kelvin Gastelum to take place for middleweight title after coaching TUF 28|work=CBSSports.com|access-date=2018-07-09|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://mmadna.nl/robert-whittaker-verdedigt-titel-tijdens-ufc-234-in-melbourne-tegen-kelvin-gastelum/|title=Robert Whittaker verdedigt titel tijdens UFC 234 in Melbourne tegen Kelvin Gastelum|last=DNA|first=MMA|website=mmadna.nl|language=en-US|access-date=2018-11-05}}</ref> However, Whittaker pulled out of the event a few hours beforehand after he was forced to undergo emergency dual surgery due to an abdominal hernia of the intestine and a twisted and collapsed bowel.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Pishna |first1=Ken |title=Robert Whittaker Emerges from Emergency Dual Surgery |url=https://www.mmaweekly.com/robert-whittaker-emerges-from-emergency-dual-surgery |website=MMAWeekly.com |access-date=3 May 2019}}</ref> The pairing eventually met 2 years later at [[UFC on ESPN: Whittaker vs. Gastelum]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2021/03/ufc-news-robert-whittaker-vs-kelvin-gastelum-with-paulo-costa-out-april-17|title=Robert Whittaker gets Kelvin Gastelum as replacement for UFC main event on April 17|author=John Morgan, Marc Bohn and Nolan King|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|date=2021-03-16|access-date=April 3, 2021}}</ref> The cast was announced on July 11, 2018.<ref name="date" />

==Cast==
===Coaches===
{{Col-begin}}
{{Col-break}}
{{color box|#0070FF|border=silver}} '''Team Whittaker''':
* [[Robert Whittaker (fighter)|Robert Whittaker]], Head Coach
* Fabricio Itte, Wrestling Coach
* Justin Fitzgerald, Boxing Coach
* Sergio Penha, Jiu Jitsu Coach

{{Col-break}}
{{color box|#CC0000|border=silver}} '''Team Gastelum''':
* [[Kelvin Gastelum]], Head Coach
* Terrell Hunsinger, Assistant Coach
* Tyler Minton, Assistant Coach
{{col-end}}

===Fighters===
*'''Team Whittaker'''
**'''Heavyweights:''' [[Anderson Silva (kickboxer)|Anderson da Silva]], [[Juan Espino]], [[Michel Batista (wrestler)|Michel Batista]], and Przemysław Mysiala.
**'''Women's Featherweights:''' [[Julija Stoliarenko]], [[Leah Letson]], [[Larissa Pacheco]], and [[Katharina Lehner]].
*'''Team Gastelum'''
**'''Heavyweights:''' Ben Sosoli, [[Maurice Greene (fighter)|Maurice Greene]], Josh Parisian, and [[Justin Frazier]].
**'''Women's Featherweights:''' [[Macy Chiasson]], [[Pannie Kianzad]], [[Bea Malecki]], and Marciea Allen.

==Episodes==
'''Episode 1: Biggest and Baddest (August 29, 2018)'''<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://mmajunkie.com/2018/08/the-ultimate-fighter-28-heavy-hitters-episode-1-recap-ufc-tuf|title='The Ultimate Fighter 28: Heavy Hitters' Episode 1 recap|publisher=mmajunkie.com|author=Staff|date=2018-08-30|access-date=2018-08-30}}</ref>
*The fighters arrived in Las Vegas to begin the training and evaluations prior to the teams being picked.
*Gastelum wins the coin toss and chose to pick the first fight. That means Whittaker would have the first fighter pick and the fighters were picked in the following order:

{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Coach
!1st Pick
!2nd Pick
!3rd Pick
!4th Pick
!5th Pick
!6th Pick
!7th Pick
!8th Pick
|-
!Whittaker
|Anderson da Silva (HW)
|Julija Stoliarenko (WFW)
|Juan Francisco Espino Dieppa (HW)
|Leah Letson (WFW)
|Michel Batista (HW)
|Larissa Pacheco (WFW)
|Przemysław Mysiala (HW)
|Katharina Lehner (WFW)
|-
!Gastelum
|Ben Sosoli (HW)
|Macy Chiasson (WFW)
|Maurice Greene (HW)
|Pannie Kianzad (WFW)
|Josh Parisian (HW)
|Bea Malecki (WFW)
|Justin Frazier (HW)
|Marciea Allen (WFW)
|}
* With control of fight selection for the first matchup, Gastelum chose his No. 3 pick Maurice Greene to take on Team Whittaker's No. 7 pick Przemyslaw Mysiala in a heavyweight matchup.
* '''Maurice Greene''' defeated Przemysław Mysiala via KO (punch) in Round 1
* Team Gastelum retained control of fight selection, and with a women's featherweight bout up next, he selected his No. 4 pick Pannie Kianzad to fight Team Whittaker's No. 8 pick Katharina Lehner.

'''Episode 2: Throw Leather (September 5, 2018)'''<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://mmajunkie.com/2018/09/the-ultimate-fighter-28-heavy-hitters-episode-2-recap-ufc-tuf|title='The Ultimate Fighter 28: Heavy Hitters' Episode 2 recap|publisher=mmajunkie.com|author=Staff|date=2018-09-05|access-date=2018-09-06}}</ref>
* Gastelum and his assistant coaches worry about Justin Frazier whose [[aerobic exercise|cardio]] isn't up to par with the other fighters during training. He retreated to the bathroom to throw up after practice.
* Pannie Kianzad breaks her tooth while trying to get her stuck [[headgear]] off. She has to go to the dentist but has major anxiety during the visit and leaves. But she faces her fears on her second visit and undergoes surgery to replace the damaged front tooth with a dental false tooth over the root.
* '''Pannie Kianzad''' defeated Katharina Lehner via unanimous decision after two rounds.
* Whittaker announced the next men's heavyweight fight: Justin Frazier vs. Anderson da Silva

'''Episode 3: War Tanks (September 12, 2018)'''
*After two weeks training with Team Gastelum, Justin Frazier does a 180 and turns himself around. He gets a mental and physical boost; no more fatigue and cramping.
*While at the ''TUF'' house, the Team Gastelum fighters have trouble communicating with Team Whittaker fighters since the majority are from different countries. To help matters, Team Whittaker's Juan Francisco Espino Dieppa tries his best as his team's [[interpreter]]. But being the lone American on Team Whittaker, Leah Letson feels left out by the language barrier.
*Maurice Greene decides to create some tension between the teams and starts impersonating Michel Batista because he believes Batista is a "snake in the grass", pretending not to understand English to get the upper hand.
*'''Justin Frazier''' defeated Anderson da Silva via unanimous decision after two rounds.
*Whittaker announced the women's featherweight fight: Julija Stoliarenko vs. Marciea Allen.

'''Episode 4: A Win is a Win (September 19, 2018)'''<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://mmajunkie.com/2018/09/the-ultimate-fighter-28-heavy-hitters-episode-4-recap-ufc-tuf|title='The Ultimate Fighter 28: Heavy Hitters' Episode 4 recap|date=2018-09-20|work=MMAjunkie|access-date=2018-10-25|language=en-US}}</ref>
* Julija Stoliarenko, the [[kempo]] [[karate]] champion,  discussed the honor of being the first female Lithuanian fighter to represent her country  to appear on a UFC.
* Gastelum brought in Brian Beaumont, who was one of Gastelum's first MMA coaches,  as a special coach to assist his team. During one of the demo sessions, Beaumont  surprised Gastelum and  awarded him his black belt in [[Brazilian jiu-jitsu]].
*In order to change the setting from the ''TUF'' house, Whittaker takes his team to Lake Spring Mountain to workout and have a [[paddleboard]] race.
*Leah Letson continued to struggle with the culture of Team Whittker as she thought the training sessions were not challenging enough for her.
*'''Julija Stoliarenko''' defeated Marciea Allen in by submission (arm bar) in Round 1.
*Gastelum selected Josh Parisian and Whittaker picked Michel Batista for the third heavyweight quarterfinal.

'''Episode 5: Life is a Fight (September 26, 2018)'''<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://mmajunkie.com/2018/09/the-ultimate-fighter-28-heavy-hitters-episode-5-recap-ufc-tuf|title='The Ultimate Fighter 28: Heavy Hitters' Episode 5 recap|date=2018-09-27|work=MMAjunkie|access-date=2018-10-25|language=en-US}}</ref>
* Following fight between Juliija Stoliarenko and Marciea Allen, Allen lamented her loss while Stoliarenko celebrated her win with alcohol by the pool and ended up throwing up much of what she had consumed.
* Meanwhile, Michael Batista, who won bronze in wrestling at [[Wrestling at the 2008 Summer Olympics#Medal summary|2008 Summer Olympics]], prepared his training for the bout against Josh Parisian who quit his job as a quality investigator for an IT company after he got selected as a contestant for this event.
* John Walker, an [[NFL]] veteran and Gastelum's [[strength and conditioning coach]], was invited to ''TUF'' house as a motivation speaker for the fighters.
* Leah Letson, who felt communication disconnect with her non-English speaking teammates and Whittaker's hand off style, mentioned the idea to switch to Gastelum team.
*'''Michel Batista''' defeated Josh Parisian via TKO (punches) in Round 2.
* The third women's featherweight quarterfinal was set between Bea Malecki and Leah Letson.

'''Episode 6: Comfortable with the Uncomfortable (October 3, 2018)'''<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://mmajunkie.com/2018/10/the-ultimate-fighter-28-heavy-hitters-episode-6-recap-ufc-tuf|title='The Ultimate Fighter 28: Heavy Hitters' Episode 6 recap|date=2018-10-04|work=MMAjunkie|access-date=2018-10-25|language=en-US}}</ref>
* Leah Letson detailed how she had signed by UFC to fight against [[Yana Kunitskaya]] and landed the spot in TUF 28 after Kunitskaya pulled from the bout to meet [[Cris Cyborg]] at [[UFC 222]], and expressed her satisfaction with her training with Team Whittaker after attention was given to her training intensity.
* Bea Malecki, a formal Air National Guard and Swedish and European Thai boxing champion, did not wanted to brand as the "pretty girl who can not fight" and planned to keep the fight against Letson on the feet to avoid her shortcoming on the ground game.
* Back at the ''TUF'' gym, Gastelum brought [[Uriah Hall]] as a special guest coach to assist with the fighters training session.
*  '''Leah Letson''' defeated Bea Malecki via unanimous decision after two rounds.
* Whittaker picks Juan Francisco Espino Dieppa to meet Team Gastelum's  Ben Sosoli in the fourth and final heavyweight quarterfinal.

'''Episode 7: I never have Fear (October 24, 2018)'''<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://mmajunkie.com/2018/10/the-ultimate-fighter-28-heavy-hitters-episode-7-recap-ufc-tuf|title='The Ultimate Fighter 28: Heavy Hitters' Episode 7 recap|date=2018-10-25|work=MMAjunkie|access-date=2018-10-25|language=en-US}}</ref>
* Leah Letson showed a pair of black eyes and swollen face from her hard-fought win over Bea Malechi and back on board with Team Whittaker after received help and guidance from the coaches.
* Back in the ''TUF'' house, tension rose after Maurice Greene accused Espino Dieppa being a "fake person". Issues were resolved after Greene admitted he was being emotional and he hashed out the problem with Espino Dieppa with civil communication.
* '''Juan Francisco Espino Dieppa''' defeated  Ben Sosoli via unanimous decision in two rounds.
* Whittaker announced the next women's featherweight fight: Larissa Pacheco vs. Macy Chiasson.
'''Episode 8: Be First to be Last (October 31, 2018)'''<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://mmajunkie.com/2018/10/the-ultimate-fighter-28-heavy-hitters-episode-8-recap-ufc-tuf|title='The Ultimate Fighter 28: Heavy Hitters' Episode 8 recap|date=2018-11-01|work=MMAjunkie|access-date=2018-11-02|language=en-US}}</ref>
*Macy Chiasson who was preparing with her fight against Larissa Pacheco was growing uneasy with Maurice Greene's constant late night drinking, getting drunk and making noise when the others were sleeping.
*The drama continues with Maurice Greene when Anderson da Silva started talking about how Maurice would be "easy money" if they get to fight, causing Greene to lose his temper. Also, Anderson decides to smack talk to Justin Frazier saying during their fight, Frazier "hit him like a pussy".
*Whittaker believed Pacheco would win the fight as she was more experience and competed in UFC before, while Gastelum paid a high regards on Chiasson's skills even she had only a short MMA professional career.
* '''Macy Chiasson''' defeated  Larissa Pacheco by TKO (punches) in Round 1.
* [[Dana White]] announced the semifinal match-ups:
**Michel Batista vs. Justin Frazier
**Juan Francisco Espino Dieppa vs. Maurice Greene
**Julija Stoliarenko vs. Pannie Kianzad
**Macy Chiasson vs. Leah Letson

'''Episode 9: Act Like a Professional (November 7, 2018)'''<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://mmajunkie.com/2018/11/the-ultimate-fighter-28-heavy-hitters-episode-9-recap-ufc-tuf|title='The Ultimate Fighter 28: Heavy Hitters' Episode 9 recap|date=2018-11-08|work=MMAjunkie|access-date=2018-11-09|language=en-US}}</ref>
* After the semi-final fight announcements, Maurice Greene has a verbal altercation with Anderson da Silva, continuing their last heated conversation the night before. Gastelum and his coaches sit down with Greene and talk to him about his drinking problem and informed him to behave himself and act professional.
* After the altercation, Coach Whittaker holds a team dinner at the gym just to get tensions down and his team's spirits back up.
* Being too overwhelmed by all the drama, Marciea Allen considers leaving the show and even books a flight home.
* Team Gastelum celebrates Macy Chiasson's birthday at the ''TUF'' house giving her a bottle of ''Don Julio 1942'' and her teammates getting her balloons and a cake. Also team Gastelum each gets a ''TUF 28'' tattoo to commemorate their participation in the event. However Marciea Allen choose not to participate, citing personal problems with Greene's behavior and just wanted to go home.
* A team meeting is called in the house. Marciea tells Maurice that his behavior makes her uncomfortable and she might want to leave the show because of him. Maurice apologizes to her and expresses he is disappointed and embarrassed on his own conduct in the house. after seeing all her teammates caring about her well-being, Marciea decides to stay.
* '''Justin Frazier''' defeated Michel Batista via technical knockout in Round One.

'''Episode 10: Made For This (November 14, 2018)'''<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://mmajunkie.com/2018/11/the-ultimate-fighter-28-heavy-hitters-episode-10-recap-ufc-tuf|title='The Ultimate Fighter 28: Heavy Hitters' Episode 10 recap|date=2018-11-15|work=MMAjunkie|access-date=2018-11-15|language=en-US}}</ref>
*Still not be able to deal with the pressures of the show, Maurice Greene smokes a cigarette outside the ''TUF'' house. He believes smoking would not affect his performance. However, Justin Frazier confronts Greene about his smoking, and he tears up, bringing up his family's history with [[alcoholism]]. 
*Back at the ''TUF'' gym, Gastelum has been disappointed in Greene's actions, but offers his support. Assistant coach Terrell Hunsinger runs Greene through "regrouping drills" by running sprints and other exercises, having Greene spell out this favorite alcoholic beverages for his "childish behavior".
*Dana organizes a trip to have the coaches bring their teams to a local waterpark for a rest day. A competitive Whittaker wins a race on the water slide over Gastelum.
*'''Pannie Kianzad''' defeated Julija Stoliarenko via unanimous decision.

'''Episode 11: Be loose, be Free, be me (November 21, 2018)'''<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://mmajunkie.com/2018/11/the-ultimate-fighter-28-heavy-hitters-episode-11-recap-ufc-tuf|title='The Ultimate Fighter 28: Heavy Hitters' Episode 11 recap|date=2018-11-22|work=MMAjunkie|access-date=2018-11-22|language=en-US}}</ref>
* Some members of Whittaker's team expresses their dissatisfaction with the training intensity and starts some sparring during their grappling training session. Whittaker and his assistant coaches are angry and frustrated with the team's behavior and they give the fighters a speech; if they don't like their training, then get out of the way. Do that's exactly what they do by having their own training session during their free time at the gym.
* Back at the ''TUF'' house, the fighters watched [[UFC 227]] on [[pay per view|PPV]]. Tensions spark when Marciea fast forwards through promotional clips for [[UFC 229]], which displeases some of the fighters including Juan Espino who wanted to see it. A sober Maurice Greene decides to take control of the situation, resulting in a tense confrontation between the two. And the assistant coaches catching Greene smoking outside, much to their dislike.
* On the annual Coaches Challenge, a 5 kilometer race between Whittaker and Gastelum under 106 degrees heat, at the [[University of Las Vegas]] track, was set with the winning coach received $10,000 and each winning team member received $1,500 prize. Whittaker won the race easily, and his team took the cash prize.
* '''Juan Francisco Espino Dieppa''' defeated Maurice Greene via submission (rear naked choke) in Round 1.

'''Episode 12: One Thousand Percent (November 28, 2018)'''<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://mmajunkie.com/2018/11/the-ultimate-fighter-28-heavy-hitters-episode-12-recap-ufc-tuf|title='The Ultimate Fighter 28: Heavy Hitters' Episode 12 recap|date=2018-11-29|work=MMAjunkie|access-date=2018-11-29|language=en-US}}</ref>
*Team Gastelum's Macy Chiasson prepares for her upcoming fight with Leah Letson. And Gastelum brings in UFC light heavyweight contender [[Ilir Latifi]] as a guest coach to work with Chiasson on grappling techniques, but Chiasson is overwhelmed with learning new moves only two days before her fight and has a mental breakdown.
*After Chiasson goes through an intense weight cut,  Gastelum holds a final team dinner and invites a special guest, UFC flyweight champion [[Henry Cejudo]] for some inspirational advice.
* '''Macy Chiasson''' defeated Leah Letson via KO (knees to the body) in Round 1.

==Tournament bracket==
===Heavyweight bracket===
{{Round8
<!-- Nothing/Fighter 1/Result/Fighter 2/Round -->
<!-- quarter finals  -->
||{{color box|#CC0000|border=silver}} Josh Parisian|2|{{color box|#0070FF|border=silver}} '''[[Michel Batista (wrestler)|Michel Batista]]'''|'''TKO'''
||{{color box|#CC0000|border=silver}} '''[[Justin Frazier]]'''|'''UD'''|{{color box|#0070FF|border=silver}} Anderson da Silva|2
||{{color box|#CC0000|border=silver}} '''[[Maurice Greene (fighter)|Maurice Greene]]'''|'''KO'''|{{color box|#0070FF|border=silver}} Przemysław Mysiala|1
||{{color box|#CC0000|border=silver}} Ben Sosoli|2|{{nowrap|{{color box|#0070FF|border=silver}} '''[[Juan Espino]]'''}}|'''UD'''
<!-- semi finals -->
||{{color box|#0070FF|border=silver}} [[Michel Batista (wrestler)|Michel Batista]]|1|{{color box|#CC0000|border=silver}} '''[[Justin Frazier]]'''|'''TKO'''
||{{color box|#CC0000|border=silver}} [[Maurice Greene (fighter)|Maurice Greene]]|1|{{nowrap|{{color box|#0070FF|border=silver}} '''[[Juan Espino]]'''}}|'''SUB'''
<!-- final -->
||{{color box|#CC0000|border=silver}} [[Justin Frazier]]|1|{{nowrap|{{color box|#0070FF|border=silver}} '''[[Juan Espino]]'''}}|'''SUB'''
|widescore=yes|3rdplace=no}}

===Women's Featherweight bracket===
{{Round8
<!-- Nothing/Fighter 1/Result/Fighter 2/Round -->
<!-- quarter finals  -->
||{{color box|#CC0000|border=silver}} '''[[Pannie Kianzad]]'''|'''UD'''|{{color box|#0070FF|border=silver}} [[Katharina Lehner]]|2
||{{color box|#CC0000|border=silver}} Marciea Allen|1|{{color box|#0070FF|border=silver}} '''[[Julija Stoliarenko]]'''|'''SUB'''
||{{color box|#CC0000|border=silver}} [[Bea Malecki]]|2|{{color box|#0070FF|border=silver}} '''[[Leah Letson]]'''|'''UD'''
||{{color box|#CC0000|border=silver}} '''[[Macy Chiasson]]'''|'''TKO'''|{{color box|#0070FF|border=silver}} [[Larissa Pacheco]]|1
<!-- semi finals -->
||{{color box|#CC0000|border=silver}} '''[[Pannie Kianzad]]'''|'''UD'''|{{color box|#0070FF|border=silver}} [[Julija Stoliarenko]]|3||
{{color box|#0070FF|border=silver}} [[Leah Letson]]|1|{{color box|#CC0000|border=silver}} '''[[Macy Chiasson]]'''|'''KO'''
<!-- final -->
||{{color box|#CC0000|border=silver}} [[Pannie Kianzad]]|2|{{color box|#CC0000|border=silver}} '''[[Macy Chiasson]]'''|'''SUB'''
|widescore=yes|3rdplace=no}}

{| style="border:1px solid black;" align="left"
|+ '''Legend'''
|-
| style="background:#0070FF; width:40px;" |
| &nbsp;
| Team Whittaker
|-
| style="background:#CC0000; width:40px;" |
| &nbsp;
| Team Gastelum
|-
| style="width:60px;" | {{center|UD}}
| &nbsp;
| Unanimous Decision
|-
| style="width:60px;" | {{center|MD}}
| &nbsp;
| Majority Decision
|-
| style="width:60px;" | {{center|SUB}}
| &nbsp;
| Submission
|-
| style="width:60px;" | {{center|(T)KO}}
| &nbsp;
| (Technical) Knock Out
|}
{{clear}}

==The Ultimate Fighter 28 Finale==
{{Infobox MMA event
|name=The Ultimate Fighter: Heavy Hitters Finale
|image=Tuf28Poster.png
|image_size=225px
|promotion=[[Ultimate Fighting Championship]]
|date={{Start date|2018|11|30}}
|venue=[[Palms Casino Resort|Pearl Theatre at Palms Casino Resort]]
|city= [[Las Vegas, Nevada]], United States
|attendance=2,020<ref name="attendance&gate">{{Cite web|url=https://www.mmaweekly.com/the-ultimate-fighter-28-finale-attendance-and-gate-numbers-from-las-vegas|title=The Ultimate Fighter 28 Finale attendance and gate numbers from Las Vegas|publisher=mmaweekly.com|author=Staff|date=2018-12-01|access-date=2018-12-01}}</ref>
|gate=$204,600<ref name="attendance&gate" />
|previousevent=[[UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. Ngannou 2]]
|followingevent=[[UFC Fight Night: dos Santos vs. Tuivasa]]
}}
'''''The Ultimate Fighter: Heavy Hitters Finale''''' (also known as '''''The Ultimate Fighter 28 Finale''''') was a [[mixed martial arts]] event produced by the [[Ultimate Fighting Championship]] held on November 30, 2018 at [[Palms Casino Resort|Pearl Theatre at Palms Casino Resort]] in [[Las Vegas, Nevada]], United States.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://mmajunkie.com/2018/07/ufc-announces-2018-schedule-september-through-end-of-year|title=UFC announces rest of 2018 schedule from September through end of year|publisher=mmajunkie.com|author=Staff|date=2018-07-08|access-date=2018-07-09}}</ref>

===Background===
A welterweight bout between former [[UFC Lightweight Championship|UFC Lightweight Champion]]  [[Rafael dos Anjos]] and [[The Ultimate Fighter: American Top Team vs. Blackzilians]] welterweight winner [[Kamaru Usman]] served as the event headliner.<ref name="RDA/Usman">{{cite web|url=https://sportv.globo.com/site/combate/noticia/ufc-planeja-dos-anjos-x-kamaru-usman-como-luta-principal-do-tuf-28-finale.ghtml|title=UFC plans Dos Anjos vs. Kamaru Usman as TUF 28 Finale Main Fight|publisher=sportv.globo.com|author=Raphael Marinho|date=2018-09-12|access-date=2018-09-13|language=pt}}</ref>

The heavyweight and women's featherweight finals of The Ultimate Fighter: Heavy Hitters are expected to take place at the event.<ref name="TUF28" />

Former [[List of Strikeforce champions|Strikeforce]] and [[List of WEC champions#Lightweight Championship|WEC Lightweight Champion]] (as well as former [[UFC Lightweight Championship]] challenger) [[Gilbert Melendez]] was scheduled to face [[Arnold Allen (fighter)|Arnold Allen]] at the event. However, Melendez pulled out of the fight on November 5 citing an injury and was replaced by former [[List of WSOF champions#Featherweight Championship|WSOF Featherweight Champion]] [[Ricky Glenn]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2018/11/5/18065158/rick-glenn-steps-in-for-injured-gilbert-melendez-fights-arnold-allen-at-tuf-28-finale|title=Rick Glenn steps in for injured Gilbert Melendez, fights Arnold Allen at TUF 28 Finale|publisher=mmafighting.com|author=Alexander K. Lee|date=2018-11-05|access-date=2018-11-05}}</ref> In turn, Allen pulled out of the fight on November 16 citing a cut he received while training.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Report-Arnold-Allen-Injured-Out-of-TUF-28-Finale-Bout-against-Rick-Glenn-145605|title=Arnold Allen injured, out of TUF 28 Finale bout against Rick Glenn|publisher=sherdog.com|author=Jay Pettry|date=2018-11-16|access-date=2018-11-16}}</ref> He was replaced by promotional newcomer [[Kevin Aguilar]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://mmadna.nl/lfa-kampioen-kevin-aguilar-pakt-short-notice-gevecht-tegen-rick-glenn-tijdens-de-tuf-28-finale/|title=LFA Champion Kevin Aguilar tackles short notice battle against Rick Glenn during the TUF 28 Final|publisher=mmadna.nl.com|author=Marcel Dorff|date=2018-11-17|access-date=2018-11-29}}</ref>

[[Ashlee Evans-Smith]] was expected to face promotional newcomer [[Antonina Shevchenko]] at the event. However, Evans-Smith pulled out on November 8 and was replaced by [[Ji Yeon Kim]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2018/11/8/18076130/antonina-shevchenko-gets-new-opponent-at-tuf-28-finale-with-ashlee-evans-smith-out|title=Antonina Shevchenko gets new opponent at TUF 28 Finale with Ashlee Evans-Smith out|publisher=mmafighting.com|author=Marc Raimondi|date=2018-11-08|access-date=2018-11-08}}</ref>

A bantamweight bout between Boston Salmon and [[Khalid Taha]] was initially scheduled for this event.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.fightful.com/mma/report-boston-salmon-faces-khalid-taha-tuf-28-finale|title=Boston Salmon faces Khalid Taha at TUF 28 Finale|publisher=fightful.com|author=David Tees|date=2018-10-20|access-date=2018-11-29}}</ref> However the pairing was removed from the card for undisclosed reasons.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://thebodylockmma.com/ufc/boston-salmon-ive-got-the-best-credentials-in-boxing-in-the-ufc/|title=Boston Salmon: "I’ve got the best credentials in boxing in the UFC"|publisher=thebodylockmma.com|author=Michael Fielder|date=2018-11-26|access-date=2018-11-29}}</ref>

At the weigh-ins, Glenn and Kim both missed the required weight for their respective fights. Glenn weighed in at 148.5 pounds, 2.5 pounds over the featherweight non-title fight limit of 146. Meanwhile, Kim weighed in at 130.5 pounds, 4.5 pounds over the flyweight non-title fight limit of 126. Both of them were fined 20 percent of their purse, which went to their opponents Aguilar and Shevchenko. The bouts proceeded at catchweight.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.com/2018/11/ufc-tuf-28-finale-rafael-dos-anjos-kamaru-usman-weigh-in-results-live-video-stream|title=TUF 28 Finale weigh-in results: Headliners set, but two miss|publisher=mmajunkie.com|author=Staff|date=2018-11-29|access-date=2018-11-29}}</ref>

===Results===
{{MMAevent}}
{{MMAevent card|Main card (Fox Sports 1)}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Welterweight
|[[Kamaru Usman]]
|def.
|[[Rafael dos Anjos]]
|Decision (unanimous) (50–43, 49–45, 48–47)
|5
|5:00
|
}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Heavyweight
|[[Juan Espino]]
|def.
|[[Justin Frazier]]
|Submission (straight armlock)
|1
|3:36
|The Ultimate Fighter 28 Heavyweight tournament final.
}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Women's Featherweight
|[[Macy Chiasson]]
|def.
|[[Pannie Kianzad]]
|Submission (rear-naked choke)
|2
|2:11
|The Ultimate Fighter 28 Women's Featherweight tournament final.
}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Bantamweight
|[[Pedro Munhoz]]
|def.
|[[Bryan Caraway]]
|TKO (body kick and punches)
|1
|2:39
|
}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Middleweight
|[[Edmen Shahbazyan]]
|def.
|[[Darren Stewart]]
|Decision (split) (28–29, 29–28, 29–28)
|3
|5:00
|
}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Catchweight (130.5 lb)
|[[Antonina Shevchenko]]
|def.
|[[Ji Yeon Kim]]
|Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 30–27, 30–27)
|3
|5:00
|
}}
{{MMAevent card|Preliminary card (Fox Sports 1)|header=no}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Catchweight (148.5 lb)
|[[Kevin Aguilar]]
|def.
|[[Ricky Glenn]]
|Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 30–27, 30–27)
|3
|5:00
|
}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Flyweight
|[[Joseph Benavidez]]
|def.
|[[Alex Perez (fighter)|Alex Perez]]
|TKO (punches)
|1
|4:19
|
}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Heavyweight
|[[Maurice Greene (fighter)|Maurice Greene]]
|def.
|[[Michel Batista (wrestler)|Michel Batista]]
|Submission (triangle choke)
|1
|2:14
|
}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Women's Featherweight
|[[Leah Letson]]
|def.
|[[Julija Stoliarenko]]
|Decision (split) (29–28, 28–29, 29–28)
|3
|5:00
|
}}
{{MMAevent card|Early Preliminary card (UFC Fight Pass)|header=no}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Lightweight
|[[Roosevelt Roberts]]
|def.
|[[Darrell Horcher]]
|Submission (guillotine choke)
|1
|4:50
|
}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Welterweight
|[[Tim Means]]
|def.
|[[Ricky Rainey]]
|TKO (punches)
|1
|1:18
|
}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Bantamweight
|[[Raoni Barcelos]]
|def.
|[[Chris Gutiérrez (fighter)|Chris Gutiérrez]]
|Submission (rear-naked choke)
|2
|4:12
|
}}
{{MMAevent end|notes=yes}}
<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ufc.com/event/tuf-28-finale-2018|title=The Ultimate Fighter 28 Finale|publisher=Ultimate Fighting Championship|access-date=2018-08-24}}</ref>

===Bonus awards===
The following fighters received $50,000 bonuses:<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.lowkickmma.com/tuf-28-finale-bonuses/|title=TUF 28 Finale Bonuses: Usman banks an extra $50k|publisher=lowkickmma.com|author=Jon Fuentes|date=2018-12-01|access-date=2018-12-01}}</ref>
*'''Fight of the Night''': None awarded
*'''Performances of the Night: Kamaru Usman, Juan Espino Dieppa, Joseph Benavidez''' and '''Roosevelt Roberts'''

===Reported payout===
The following is the reported payout to the fighters as reported to the [[Nevada Athletic Commission|Nevada State Athletic Commission]]. It does not include sponsor money and also does not include the UFC's traditional "fight night" bonuses. The total disclosed payout for the event was $1,007,000.<ref name="payouts">{{cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.com/2018/12/ultimate-fighter-28-finale-ufc-salaries-kamaru-usman-joseph-benavidez-rafael-dos-anjos|title=TUF 28 Finale salaries: Usman, Benavidez, dos Anjos get six-figure paydays|publisher=mmajunkie.com|author=Staff|date=2018-12-03|access-date=2018-12-03}}</ref>

* '''Kamaru Usman:''' $150,000 (includes $75,000 win bonus) def. Rafael dos Anjos: $110,000
* '''Juan Espino Dieppa:''' $30,000 (includes $15,000 win bonus) def. Justin Frazier: $15,000
* '''Macy Chiasson:''' $30,000 ($15,000 win bonus) def. Pannie Kianzad: $15,000
* '''Pedro Munhoz:''' $90,000 ($45,000 win bonus) def. Bryan Caraway: $21,000
* '''Edmen Shahbazyan:''' $20,000 ($10,000 win bonus) def. Darren Stewart: $22,000
* '''Antonina Shevchenko:''' $36,000 ($15,000 win bonus) def. Ji Yeon Kim: $14,000*
* '''Kevin Aguilar:''' $25,000 ($10,000 win bonus) def. Rick Glenn: $20,000**
* '''Joseph Benavidez:''' $146,000 ($73,000 win bonus) def. Alex Perez: $22,000
* '''Maurice Greene:''' $20,000 ($10,000 win bonus) def. Michel Batista: $10,000
* '''Leah Letson:''' $20,000 ($10,000 win bonus) def. Julija Stoliarenko: $10,000
* '''Roosevelt Roberts:''' $20,000 ($10,000 win bonus) def. Darrell Horcher: $15,000
* '''Tim Means:''' $98,000 ($49,000 win bonus) def. Ricky Rainey: $14,000
* '''Raoni Barcelos:''' $24,000 ($12,000 win bonus) def. Chris Gutiérrez: $10,000

<nowiki>*</nowiki> ''Ji Yeon Kim was fined $6,000, 30 percent of her purse for failing to make the required weight for her fight with Antonina Shevchenko. That money was issued to Shevchenko, an NSAC official confirmed''<ref name="payouts" /><br />
<nowiki>**</nowiki> ''Rick Glenn was fined $5,000, 20 percent of his purse for failing to make the required weight for his fight with Kevin Aguilar. That money was issued to Aguilar, an NSAC official confirmed''<ref name="payouts" />

== See also ==
* [[List of UFC events]]
* [[2018 in UFC]]
* [[List of current UFC fighters]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

{{UFC Events}}
{{The Ultimate Fighter}}
{{2018 in mixed martial arts}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ultimate Fighter}}
[[Category:The Ultimate Fighter episodes]]
[[Category:2010s American reality television series]]
[[Category:2018 in mixed martial arts]]
[[Category:Ultimate Fighting Championship events in Paradise, Nevada]]