Akylbek, Black Won The Ultimate Fighter 34 Finals
The tournament concluded on September 27 at the UFC APEX in Las Vegas.
Updated on Sept. 27, 2026 in Mixed Martial Arts
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Local fight fans at the UFC APEX saw Ilimbek Akylbek and Tina Black secure tournament titles at The Ultimate Fighter 34 finals. Akylbek claimed the bantamweight win by disqualification, while Black finished her opponent via technical knockout in the second round.
Why it matters
These victories mark historic milestones for their home nations, with Akylbek becoming the first winner from Kyrgyzstan and Black the first Brazilian woman to claim a tournament title. Officials noted that a future rematch could allow Akylbek and his opponent to settle their bout properly.
Luis Hernandez secured his 8-0 professional record with a submission at 0:50 of the first round. Other card highlights included a 3:19 TKO by Tina Black and an illegal knee strike recorded at 2:19 of the opening round.
The players
Ilimbek Akylbek
A bantamweight fighter from Kyrgyzstan who became the first from his country to win The Ultimate Fighter.
Tina Black
A fighter who became the first Brazilian woman to win The Ultimate Fighter tournament.
Luis Hernandez
A professional fighter who improved his undefeated career record to 8-0 after a first-round victory.
Mahammadeli Osmanli
The fighter who was disqualified for landing an illegal knee strike in the opening round.
Melissa Amaya
The tournament finalist who was defeated by Tina Black in the second round.
The details
Ilimbek Akylbek secured his bantamweight win after Mahammadeli Osmanli landed an illegal knee strike while Akylbek was grounded. Tina Black earned her title by using strikes to force a stoppage against Melissa Amaya at 3:19 of the second round. The card also featured a quick 50-second submission victory for Luis Hernandez over Sedriques Dumas.
Timeline
UFC Vegas 121 occurred on September 27, 2026.
Beyond the Strip
The Ultimate Fighter remains a staple of the local fight scene at the APEX as the primary talent development pipeline for the organization. This year's results extend the tournament's history of identifying international prospects who move on to compete in professional UFC events.
Residents attending future events at the UFC APEX should account for typical security and traffic flow near the venue during fight nights. Fans looking to follow the careers of these new winners can monitor future UFC card announcements for their next professional bouts.
The takeaway
Tournament outcomes can shift quickly, as shown by the disqualification result in the bantamweight final. Keep an eye on future UFC Vegas card announcements to see when Akylbek and Black make their next appearances inside the cage.
Further reading
For more on the local fight scene, visit the Mixed Martial Arts section.
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