UFC Vegas 96 video: Ryan Loder survives early scare to win TUF 32 middleweight crown

Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC

Ryan Loder is a member of the UFC middleweight roster, and he has the glass trophy to prove it.

Loder faced Robert Valentin in the second The Ultimate Fighter 32 finale fight during the main card of Saturday’s UFC Vegas 96 event. After a tough start, Loder stole back momentum at the end of the first round before earning a second-round TKO stoppage to win the 185-pound season championship.

Check out video of the finish below.

Ryan Loder secures the finish to win TUF 32 for the middleweights #UFCVegas96

(via @espnmma) pic.twitter.com/ekFs1lG2ll

— MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) August 25, 2024

Valentin had Loder in big trouble early, taking the back and nearly locking in a rear-naked choke, but Loder was able to survive and get top position to close out the opening stanza. Loder sensed Valentin was getting a little tired, opening up Round 2 with a lot of aggression and went straight to his wrestling background. The 33-year-old had Valentin in a crucifix position, landing the flurry of unanswered short elbows to get the finish and win a UFC contract in the middleweight division.

Loder earned his spot in the TUF 32 final with a submission win over Tom Theocharis and a decision victory against Omran Chaaban.

Valentin was a prolific finisher during and prior to the TUF 32 season, getting a pair of first-round finishes to punch his ticket to the finals.