Nicco Montano got one step closer to the UFC by knocking off a UFC veteran.
The Arizona native pulled off the first major upset of The Ultimate Fighter 26 by winning a unanimous decision over Lauren Murphy on the fourth episode of the season. Murphy’s Octagon experience wasn’t enough to overcome the energy of Montano, who was more than a match for Murphy in both the grappling and the standup.
Montano and Murphy traded strikes in Round 1, with Montano scoring points with stiff kicks to the body and legs. Round 2 was a more grueling affair that saw Murphy go all out to try and take the action to the mat, but Montano’s defense held up and she made Murphy pay with short strikes.