TUF 23 Quarterfinal: Kate Jackson Defeats Ashley YoderVeteran contender Kate Jackson capped off her team’s remarkable run through the quarterfinals with a competitive decision victory during tonight’s ninth episode of The Ultimate Fighter 23: “Team Joanna vs Team Claudia.” Jackson defeated Team Joanna’s Ashley Yoder in a close two-round fight.

Jackson’s win moved Team Claudia to a 7-1 final tally over Team Joanna in the quarterfinal round. Her ground and pound and a late offensive onslaught on the feet were just enough to propel her to a narrow Unanimous Decision victory. Following the fight, all four semi-final matchups were announced.

Jackson (7-2-1 pro) countered Yoder’s (4-1-0 pro) early aggression by taking her down in the opening seconds of the fight, and she picked her shots with punches and elbows from Yoder’s guard. Yoder looked to set up an armbar from the bottom, but Jackson defended well throughout the round and she landed more hammerfists to Yoder’s face.

The second round was more eventful and Yoder opened the action with left hands and combinations. She defended against Jackson’s knees in a clinch by trapping her in a standing guillotine choke. Jackson broke free and she tried for a takedown, but Yoder reversed on the way down and briefly took Jackson’s back. Jackson turned into Yoder’s guard and stacked her against the base of the cage. Yoder looked for another armbar, but Jackson easily escaped and the fighters were stood up. Jackson landed knees and a head kick, but Yoder cracked her with counter flurries. The fighters traded hard punches and Jackson landed two more knees before the bell.

All three judges favoured Jackson’s top control and late-fight offence. Scores were 20-18 across the board for Jackson, who advanced on to the next round. The semi-finals are almost entirely dominated by Team Claudia, with only one member of Team Joanna, Josh Stansbury, winning his quarterfinal fight.

TUF 23 Semi-Finals:

– Andrew Sanchez vs Eric Spicely
– Amanda Bobby Cooper vs Lanchana Green
– Tatiana Suarez Padilla vs Kate Jackson
– Josh Stansbury vs Cory Hendricks