The MMA Daily

The Ultimate Fighter season 30 will crown a winner in the Heavyweight finale, as Zac Pauga takes on Mohammed Usman. A former competitor for LFA and Bellator, Pauga entered the house undefeated and with experience. To little surprise, Pauga stormed through the competition, as he defeated Nyle Bartling and Jordan Heiderman. Meanwhile, Usman, the brother of Welterweight Champion Kamaru Usman, has paved his own path to making a name for himself. Defeating Mitchell Sipe and Eduardo Perez, two tough competitors, Usman is a finale victory away from making his presence known in the Heavyweight division.

It’s no surprise to see both men reach the finale, as they came into the competition with experience and having fought for reputable regional promotions. A former collegiate running back for Colorado State, Pauga brings forth excellent athleticism and speed. A Light Heavyweight naturally, Pauga moved up to Heavyweight to compete on the show. Which turned out to be an excellent decision, as Pauga ran through the competition. The same couldn’t be said about Usman, who narrowly edged out both his victories. Known to pack a punch, Usman has the power to turn anyone’s lights out. However, on the show, Usman effectively used his jab to piece up his foe’s from the outside. With size and strength, Usman has the advantage of being in his natural weight class.

When observing the show, Pauga, despite not being a Heavyweight, seemed to be the most skilled. Faster than the competition and with excellent footwork, Pauga was able to get off his offense with ease. With power and an ability to mix in takedowns too, Pauga has a bright future in this division. While Usman carries that stifling power, his game is very limited. Unable to match the output and speed Pauga will bring forth, I’m expecting the former Colorado State running back to crowned the season’s winner, winning via TKO.