Ultimate Fighter Championship: Gastelum derails Hall, hype train

ESPN

Al Powers for ESPN

After saying all week he hadn't bought into his own hype, TUF contestant Uriah Hall fought like a man who had bought into his own hype.

In one of the more stunning upsets in TUF finals history, underdog Kelvin Gastelum defeated Hall via split decision to become the series' champion. Two judges scored the bout 29-28 in his favor; the third gave it to Hall, 29-28.

ESPN.com scored the middleweight bout for Gastelum, 29-28.

"I'm speechless right now obviously I'm happy but I'm kind of hurting because it was a tough fight," Gastelum said. "My eye hurts a bit and he got a couple kicks in that did some damage but I'll heal up just fine. It's a great feeling and I'm looking forward to taking a little time off and then getting back to training."

Hall (7-3) was the clear favorite for the TUF 17 title, knocking out three of the four opponents he faced on the show in spectacular fashion. UFC president Dana White called him the most impressive contestant in TUF history.

Immediately, it was evident Hall had taken the compliments to heart. He walked out in the first round with his down and willingly planted himself along the fence.

It was reminiscent of what UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva did in a non-title bout against Stephan Bonnar in October, right before he knocked him out.

Gastelum (6-0) wasn't impressed. He clipped Hall with a winging left hook early and took him down as he regrouped. He landed elbows from top position before Hall managed to work to his feet.

Hall would respond, hitting Gastelum's midsection with a spinning back kick in the next round.

Again though, he dropped his hands along the fence, where Gastelum shot in and took him down. After working to his feet, Hall did score a suplex that ignited the Las Vegas crowd.

With the scorecards even, it was Gastelum who imposed his will in the deciding round. He shot beautifully on Hall in the opening minute and scored points with his ground and pound.

Hall would work to his feet where he looked to provide some of that knockout magic, but Gastelum took him down again in the final 90 seconds.