Jesse Taylor submits James Krause, meets Dhiego Lima at TUF Finale

Jesse Taylor secured his place at the TUF: Redemption Finale on Friday night with a third-round submission win over the only active UFC fighter that took part in the season in James Krause.

The bout was broadcast on the season finale of TUF: Redemption on Wednesday night.

After his dominant victory over Krause, Taylor moves on to face Dhiego Lima on Friday night in Las Vegas. Lima lost out on his first attempt of trying to secure a TUF championship when he met Eddie Gordon in the final of season 19.

“I can’t believe this is happening again,” Taylor stated on the broadcast following his big win. “It’s incredible. I’ve finally finished the job. It’s been nine years in the making, but I feel exuberant.

“I couldn’t be more proud of myself. I couldn’t ask for more. It’s a total dream. It still hasn’t set in yet. It’s been a dream-like experience.”

Taylor first appeared on the seventh series of the reality platform where he defeated Mike Dolce, Dante Rivera and Tim Credeur to claim a place in the final.

However, when security footage emerged of Taylor kicking out the side windows of a limousine during a night out with fellow cast members, Dana White removed him from the final as he believed he was not ready to deal with pressures of being a UFC fighter.

Taylor’s wrestling allowed him to control Krause from top position throughout the bout. After being on the receiving end of some forceful grounded shots from top position, Krause was rendered unconscious after Taylor sunk in a guillotine choke at the midway point of the third round.

Krause had to be medically cleared for the exhibition bout after suffering a scratched cornea in his quarterfinal clash against Ramsey Nijem.

“I knew what I had to do to beat Jesse and I plain and simple just couldn’t get it done,” said Krause after the fight.

“I did not feel 100 percent going into that fight, but neither does any fighter going into a fight. Jesse fought a good fight and I’m excited to watch him and Dhiego in the finals.”