The Ultimate Fighter: Live Finale Medical Reports Hit Michael Chiesa The Hardest

Michael Chiesa became the newest Ultimate Fighter winner when he defeated Al Iaquinta recently at The Ultimate Fighter: Live Finale. The win, however, came at a price, as Chiesa was recently issued a six-month medical suspension for an injured left hand by the Nevada Athletic Commission.

MMA Junkie’s Dann Stupp confirmed the news with the commission.

Chiesa made mention of competing later this year in England, but he will have to hope for no serious injury when his hand given an X-ray. If the news is there is a break, he could be out of action until November 29.

Main event fighter Jake Ellenberger was issued a medical suspension until July 2 with no contact until June 23 for precautionary reasons. Ellenberger lost to Martin Kampmann via second round knockout.

THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER: LIVE FINALE MEDICAL SUSPENSIONS

Martin Kampmann suspended until Aug. 1 with no contact in training until July 17 due to facial lacerations

Jake Ellenberger suspended until July 2 with no contact until June 23 for precautionary reasons

Michael Chiesa suspended until Nov. 29 to a possible left-hand injury, though a doctor can clear him early with X-rays

Pat Schilling suspended until Nov. 29 to possible right-hand and right-shoulder injuries, though a doctor can clear him early with X-rays; regardless, suspended until July 2 for precautionary reasons

John Cofer suspended until Aug. 1 with no contact until July 17 for precautionary reasons

Chris Tickle suspended until July 17 with no contact until July 2 due to left-eye and lip lacerations

Sam Sicilia suspended until July 17 with no contact until July 2 due to a lower-lip cut

Cristiano Marcello suspended until July 17 with no contact until July 2 for precautionary reasons

Jeremy Larsen suspended until July 17 with no contact until July 2 for precautionary reasons

Photo credit: Tracy Lee/Combatlifestyle.com

 

The Ultimate Fighter: Live Finale Fighter Salaries Released

Martin Kampmann not only scored a career-defining victory by toppling Jake Ellenberger last week at The Ultimate Fighter: Live Finale. For his efforts, “The Hitman” picked up $84,000 from the UFC, according to information released by the Nevada Athletic Commission to MMAJunkie’s Dann Stupp.

Kampmann’s comeback victory netted him a $42,000 win bonus. Ellenberger picked up $42,000 in the losing effort.

Several members of the most recent season of TUF were involved in the card, including the entire preliminary event. In the finals of the tournament, Mike Chiesa defeated Al Iaquinta to become the newest Ultimate Fighter.

THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER: LIVE FINALE FIGHTER SALARIES

Martin Kampmann: $84,000 (includes $42,000 win bonus)

Jake Ellenberger: $42,000

Mike Chiesa: $16,000 (includes $8,000 win bonus)

Al Iaquinta: $8,000

Charles Oliveira: $32,000 (includes $16,000 win bonus)

Jonathan Brookins: $15,000

Max Holloway: $12,000 (includes $6,000 win bonus)

Pat Schilling: $6,000

Justin Lawrence: $16,000 (includes $8,000 win bonus)

John Cofer: $8,000

Daron Cruickshank: $16,000 (includes $8,000 win bonus)

Chris Tickle: $8,000

Myles Jury: $16,000 (includes $8,000 win bonus)

Chris Saunders: $8,000

Sam Sicilia: $16,000 (includes $8,000 win bonus)

Cristiano Marcello: $8,000

Joe Proctor: $16,000 (includes $8,000 win bonus)

Jeremy Larsen: $8,000

Erik Perez: $12,000 (includes $6,000 win bonus)

John Albert: $8,000*
* – Although not officially disclosed, UFC president Dana White stated on fight night that Albert will receive his $8,000 win bonus because of the controversial loss.

Photo credit: Tracy Lee/Combatlifestyle.com

 

TUF Live Finale Post-Fight Interviews: Kampmann, Chiesa, Ellenberger

Post-fight interviews following the TUF Live Finale. Featured interviews include welterweight juggernaut Martin Kampmann, TUF Live winner Mike Chiesa, and Jake Ellenberger.

More clips after the jump.

 

Michael Chiesa Says Winning TUF ‘Feels Like A Dream’

Michael Chiesa had plenty of hope in his corner Friday night against Al Iaquinta in the finals of The Ultimate Fighter: Live tournament.

After experiencing the loss of his father on national television, Chiesa was undoubtedly the emotional favorite heading into the bout at The Ultimate Fighter: Live Finale from Las Vegas.

Once he strapped on a choke against Iaquinta, his world changed, as Chiesa was awarded the TUF contract, a sponsorship deal with Tapout and a Harley-Davidson.

“It’s totally surreal,” said Chiesa, on the post-fight show on FUEL TV. “It feels like a dream and it’s crazy that it’s happened. I’ve had to overcome a lot of things in this competition. Not only the top-15 prospects in the world, but my dad and a lot more. Ultimately, you have to believe in yourself and that’s what I did.”

Chiesa plans on returning home and relaxing for a few days, but has already mentioned wanting to compete again later this year when the UFC heads over to England. He added, “It’ll sink in when I get back to my hometown. Then I’m ready to go to the UFC and my next goal is the world title.”

Photo credit: Tracy Lee/Combatlifestyle.com

 

Jake Ellenberger Discusses His Loss To Martin Kampmann

Jake Ellenberger knows he had a perfect spot to finish off Martin Kampmann Friday night in the main event of The Ultimate Fighter: Live Finale.

Instead, Ellenberger went to the second round, and ate a pair of crushing knees from Kampmann that ended the fight.

Now, with his win streak over, Ellenberger must find a way to get back on track, as he informed the post-fight show on FUEL TV Friday night.

“It shows your character in time of adversity. I’m going to learn from this and I’m going to come back from this stronger,” Ellenberger said. “He was dazed and flushed a little bit. But he hung in there and caught me.”

Ellenberger had won six consecutive fights entering the Kampmann bout, including stoppages against Jake Shields, Sean Pierson, John Howard and Mike Pyle.

Photo credit: Tracy Lee/Combatlifestyle.com

 

TUF Live 1 Finale Video Highlights: Martin Kampmann vs. Jake Ellenberger, Mike Chiesa vs. Al Iaquinta

Video highlights from the TUF Live 1 Finale headlining bouts — Martin Kampmann vs. Jake Ellenberger and Mike Chiesa vs. Al Iaquinta — via FOX Sports.

 

TUF Live Finale Fight Bonuses: Lawrence Scores $80k, Kampmann, Chiesa, and Cofer Grab $40k

UFC President Dana White announcedon Twitter who the bonus recipients following tonight’s TUF Live Finale were.

Fight of the Night: Justin Lawrence vs. John Cofer

Knockout of the Night: Justin Lawrence and Martin Kampmann

Submission of the Night: Mike Chiesa

Each of these four fighters will receive a $40,000 bonus for their efforts, except for Justin Lawrence, who takes home $80,000.

Stick with MMAConvert for more coverage from the TUF Live Finale.

 

Mike Chiesa Wins Inaugural TUF Live Title

Mike Chiesa defeated Al Iaquinta to become the first ever TUF Live champion.

After a slow start to the fight, Chiesa took Iaquinta’s back, sunk in a rear naked choke, and put his foe out cold.

Chiesa became a fan favorite through his inspiring story and lovable personality. Shortly after winning his qualifying fight to get into the house, Chiesa lost his father to Leukaemia, and all of the drama in his life played out in front of audiences on the reality show.

An unlikely contender, Chiesa faced adversity in all of his TUF Live fights, as he took on competition favorites Justin Lawrence and James Vick, to earn his shot at Al Iaquinta, another opponent that he was not given much of a chance against.

With his family by his side, he was awarded a six figure UFC contract, a three fight sponsorship deal with TapouT, a Harley Davidson motorcycle, and of course, that fancy glass trophy. The real prize however, is making his dream come true, and his father proud.

Chiesa becomes the 22nd competitor to win a six-figure contract with the UFC.

Photo courtesy of Tracy Lee/Combatlifestyle.com

 

TUF Live Finale Post-Fight Press Conference Live Stream At 12AM ET

As always, we’ll have a live stream of the TUF Live Finale post fight press conference in the video above. The presser airs live shortly following today’s event. Expected to take part in the event are headliners Jake Ellenberger and Martin Kampmann, TUF finalists Al Iaquinta and Mike Chiesa, UFC President Dana White, as well as the big winners from today’s main card.

Check back around 12am ET for the live stream. If you’re unable to catch it, don’t fret, we’ll have text and video highlights shortly after.

 

TUF Live Season Bonus Winners: Iaquinta Takes Home $50,000, Jury and Proctor Score $25,000

During tonight’s live broadcast of the TUF Live Finale, Jon Anik announced the season ending bonuses for the best knockout, submission, and fight of the season, as voted on by the fans.

Winning the prize for the best fight of the season were Al Iaquinta and Myles Jury, who met on the fourth episode. Both take home $25,000.

Scoring the best submission of the season, Joe Proctor gets $25,000 for his rear naked choke victory over Chris Tickle.

And lastly, another $25,000 goes to Al Iaquinta for his brutal elbow to the face of Andy Ogle, scoring him the best knockout of the season.