The future looked bright for the season 8 winner of "The Ultimate Fighter", Efrain Escudero. After laying claim as the new lightweight champion of his season, and a dominant win turned in at the shows finale against fellow finalist, Phillipe Nover, Escudero now finds himself in the same situation as Nover--he's been pink slipped by the UFC. After claiming the TUF title in December of 2008, injuries left "Hecho en Mexico" out of action until September of 2009, where he came in overweight for a lightweight match up against fellow TUF veteran Cole Miller. While he was able to pick up the win, an impressive knockout victory inside of the first round, this was the start of what UFC President Dana White indicated as "complacency" for Efrain. ...

The second week of December brought with it a big week in mixed martial arts competition as equally as it delivered a big week of success for the increasingly impressive American Top Team gym headquartered in Coconut Creek.

From the UFC's "Fight for the Troops" on Spike TV Wednesday night in Fayetteville to the debut of Mixed Fighting Alliance in Miami, American Top Team set the pace of champions. ATT fighters scored big as well at CQC "In the Cage" in Charlotte and during the UFC's Ultimate Fighter Season 8 Finale in Las Vegas Saturday night.

"Snowman" Jeff Monson (25-8) defeated "Suave" Ricco Rodriguez (30-9) via unanimous decision Saturday night during the main event at the Mixed Fighting Alliance debut in Miami.

"I am happy with the win but I was a little sloppy tonight." Monson told Fighters.com following the fight.

The main event battle at MFA "There Will Be Blood" was a full round war with each fighter going the distance but Monson winning on all cards in the end. Monson, famous for his blunt honesty, had criticism for his performance.

"A win is a win but I need to improve." The Abu Dhabi and UFC veteran told Fighters.com. "My jiu-jitsu felt good in the fight but my boxing was a little weak." Monson continued, "I need to spend more time in the American Top Team gym here in Florida. You know, I need to work with more guys down here to prepare for fights."

...

"Darth" Ryan Bader (6-0) defeated Vinicius Magalhaes (3-4) via TKO stoppage during the Ultimate Fighter Season 8 Finale in Las Vegas on Saturday night. The win by Bader earned the former Arizona wrestler the crown of Ultimate Fighter in the light heavyweight division for Season 8.

The main event fight started out Magalhaes throwing kicks from range. Bader took a couple of hard kicks before landing a right hand haymaker that sent Magalhaes into trouble. Bader quickly stood over Magalhaes raining down fists cuing referee Herb Dean to step in and stop the assault.

Ryan Bader officially won via TKO stoppage due to strikes at the 2:18 mark of round one.

"The Experiment" Krzysztof Soszynski (17-8-1) defeated Shane Primm (3-1) via submission during the Ultimate Fighter Season 8 Finale in Las Vegas on Saturday night.

Round one started with Soszynski landing a straight left punch followed by a left hook that stunned Primm. Primm recollected himself and scored a takedown but Soszynski got back to his feet. Primm went to the clinch pushing Soszynski into the cage. In the process, Primm ate several uppercuts from Soszynski. Down on the ground, Soszynski took side control and attempted a kimura. Escaping the kimura attempt Primm also evades a serious right hand punch at the end of the round.

The second round began with Soszynski landing another strong left hand punch. Both fighters swung wildly for moments but nothing scored from either side. Primm attempted a takedown but Soszynski strongly stuffed it. Soszynski then tired another kimura. At first it was loose but after a brief adjustment, Soszynski grabs Primm's arm strongly. Primm in visible pain taps out.

Krzysztof Soszynski officially won via submission by kimura at the 3:27 mark of the second round.

"Fire" Eliot Marshall (5-1) defeated Jules Bruchez (1-1) via submission during the Ultimate Fighter Season 8 Finale in Las Vegas on Saturday night.

The battle began with Marshall landing a hard right hand punch that visibly stunned Bruchez. Marshall immediately slammed Bruchez down to the ground and took side control. Attempting to roll out, Bruchez gave up his back to a tenacious Marshall. Marshall grabbed a guillotine choke and sank it deep. Bruchez tapped out under the pressure.

Eliot Marshall officially won via guillotine choke submission at the 1:27 mark of the first round.

Shane Nelson (10-3) defeated George Roop (8-2) via split decision during the Ultimate Fighter Season 8 Finale in Las Vegas on Saturday night.

The fight started with punch flurries by both fighters. The fighters clinched and eventually Nelson brought Roop down to the ground. Nelson attempted a rear naked choke but Roop denied the submission. The action slowed tremendously before Roop pulled guard at the end of the round.

The second round began with Roop landing a hard low kick followed by a stuffed takedown. Nelson got a takedown eventually and took side control. Nelson landed some elbows from the side and took the mount. Roop tried to escape the mount as Nelson rained down punches. Finally escaping, Roop got back to his feet only to get caught in a guillotine choke. Roop escaped the sub attempt to land two solid knees before round's end.

The final round opened with Roop landing punches and kicks to the head of Roop. Nelson attmepted takedown but was stuffed by Roop. Roop pushed Nelson into the cage and eventually got a takedown. Falling into Nelson's guard, Roop got back up to his feet and the fighters exchanged leather. The round ended with Nelson slamming Roop to the floor and attmepting a heel hook.

Shane Nelson officially won via split decision. The judges scored the bout; 29-28 Nelson, 29-28 Roop and 29-28 Nelson.