The Ultimate Fighter: Redemption truly lived up to its name.
On Friday, Jesse Taylor won the 25th season of The Ultimate Fighter.
In 2008, Taylor competed on the seventh season of TUF and made it to the semifinals. However, he was kicked off the show due to his actions at a casino after the show had finished filming.
Taylor was given one fight in the UFC but was released after he lost his first UFC fight to CB Dollaway.
Now, nine years later, Taylor has received a second opportunity in the UFC and is making the most out of it.
Tayor defeated Dhiego Lima to win the TUF tournament. He dominated Lima in the first round of their fight. In the second round, Taylor took only seconds to lock in a rear-naked choke and finished the fight.
Many fighters watched Taylor win the latest season of TUF and were ecstatic about him earning $290,000. Below, you can see how fighters reacted on Twitter to the newest Ultimate Fighter champion.
And JT redeems himself
— Jared Gordon (@JFlashGordonMMA) July 8, 2017
Wow! what a true Redemption story
— James Vick (@JamesVickMMA) July 8, 2017
Congratz @JTMoneyMMA on earning that REDEMPTION!! #TUF25Finale
— Tarec Saffiedine (@tarecfighter) July 8, 2017
Tylor pretty much just stole my name with that performance.
— Linton Vassell (@LDV_TheSwarm) July 8, 2017
Incredible storyline for Jesse Taylor.
TUF Finalist 9 years ago, Kicked off the show.
Comes back and wins the show 9 years later. Wow.
— Chase Sherman (@ChaseShermanUFC) July 8, 2017
That is the coolest shit ever, this is what makes MMA so awesome. Congrats Jesse Taylor. @ufc #ufctuffinale #tuf25finale
— Ray Borg (@tazmexufc) July 8, 2017
YES!!! If anybody deserves it it's this guy never gave up never quit man I'm so happy for him!!!… https://t.co/N3wiw59CYy
— Chris Leben (@ChrisLebenMMA) July 8, 2017
9 years later!!! Wow!! What a finish, and what a way to change the fortunes of his life!! #TuffFinale
— Aljamain Sterling (@FunkMaster_UFC) July 8, 2017
Don't forget to take the big check to a bigger bank pic.twitter.com/CdkvgXn8XY
— David Michaud (@bulldawgUFC) July 8, 2017
JT MONEEEEEEYYYYY! @JTMoneyMMA the guy who was going to win TUF 7! Nobody deserved this more than you, brother! Proud of you! #tuf25
— Vinny Magalhães (@VinnyMMA) July 8, 2017
Congrats @JTMoneyMMA you earned that and everything you have coming your way @ufc
— Neil Magny (@NeilMagny) July 8, 2017