There can be only one.
The runs of Jessica Penne and Canadian Randa Markos came to an end last night.
Their promising careers begin with Friday’s TUF 20 Finale card.
The spotlight is on Rose Namajunas. She’s captivated viewers with her devastating combination of skill and sizzle with superstar written all over her.
But Carla Esparza is not chopped liver. It should be a great TUF 20 Finale main event.
Welcome back to The Crossfire.
MMA Crossfire Expert Cassie Wiseman is away, so Kenai Andrews steps in to share his thoughts.
Team Pettis fighter Randa Markos gets her hands wrapped before facing team Melendez fighter Rose Namajunas during filming of season twenty of The Ultimate Fighter on August 14, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
Andrews: This was the last episode, so my thoughts are more reflective of the series.
Team Melendez fighter Rose Namajunas gets her hands wrapped before facing team Pettis fighter Randa Markos during filming of season twenty of The Ultimate Fighter on August 14, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
I think Cassie would agree that TUF 20 is one of the most important seasons ever, and not just for building new generations of female fighters. This season will be instrumental for planting the MMA seed for the next generations of fighters.
Team Melendez fighter Rose Namajunas (bottom) attempts to submit team Pettis fighter Randa Markos during filming of season twenty of The Ultimate Fighter on August 14, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
Thanks to the efforts of people like Invicta FC CEO Shannon Knapp, we saw the benefits in TUF 20.
They had to be smiling during the series.
Team Melendez fighter Rose Namajunas pushes team Pettis fighter Randa Markos up against the cage during filming of season twenty of The Ultimate Fighter on August 14, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
We saw the good, the bad and the ugly. We saw many issues with the cast laid bare. But we also the skills, and potential that outweighed the issues at the end of the day.
Team Melendez fighter Rose Namajunas reacts after her submission victory over team Pettis fighter Randa Markos during filming of season twenty of The Ultimate Fighter on August 14, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
It was an entertaining season, overall.
Team Pettis fighter Carla Esparza punches team Pettis fighter Jessica Penne during filming of season twenty of The Ultimate Fighter on August 14, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
That’s still a sobering thought when you look back to the state of women’s MMA as little as five years ago.
Team Pettis fighter Jessica Penne punches team Pettis fighter Carla Esparza during filming of season twenty of The Ultimate Fighter on August 14, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
Check out the replay highlights of Carla Esparza vs Jessica Penne here.
Check out the replay highlights of Rose Namajunas vs Randa Markos here
Team Pettis fighter Carla Esparza celebrates her win over team Pettis fighter Jessica Penne during filming of season twenty of The Ultimate Fighter on August 14, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
Now, it’s on to the TUF 20 Finale. MMA Crossfire readers know the score. Vote below.
