Ilimbek Akylbek Uulu wins TUF finale after Osmanli disqualified for illegal knee

The TUF Finale fight ended in a DQ

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 26: Ilimbek Akylbek of Kyrgyzstan reacts after receiving an illegal knee from Mahammadali Osmanli of Azerbaijan in a bantamweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at Meta APEX on September 26, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC) Ilimbek Akylbeck Uulu is The Ultimate Fighter for the bantamweight season, but it’s not the way he drew it up. Akylbeck Uulu walked away with the plaque after just 2:19 into the first round, but winning by disqualification against the highly touted Mehemmedeli Osmanli. Akylbeck Uulu ate an egregious illegal knee to the head while he was on the ground that appeared to knock him unconscious. Referee Kerry Hatley took his time, but finally called a stop to the fight, and then awarded Akylbeck Uulu the win via DQ. Check out video of the brutal knee below. That one was…. not legal. [ #UFCVegas121 | LIVE on @ParamountPlus ] pic.twitter.com/0304U5ELFc — UFC on Paramount+ (@UFConParamount) September 27, 2026 Akylbeck Uulu seemed to be slightly ahead in prior to the illegal shot after landing a takedown and getting some control early on. Unfortunately, the abrupt ending capped off a season of TUF that didn’t get on a lot of people’s radars. Akylbeck Uulu now has three straight victories. Osmanli’s nine-fight win streak came to an end.

In a "not the way he wanted to win it" situation, Ilimbek Akylbek Uulu won "The Ultimate Fighter" because of a very dumb Mehemmedeli Osmanli mistake.