Franklin Reveals Cormier Chaos After TUF 34 Win

Xavier Franklin's last-second knockout win over Micaias Urena on The Ultimate Fighter 34 triggered backstage chaos that went far beyond what aired on television.

Franklin stopped Urena with a punch at the end of round one during filming at UFC APEX in April, but the finish sparked immediate controversy over a knee strike that landed just before the buzzer. MMA Fighting reports that coach Daniel Cormier protested loudly, insisting the knee was illegal even after watching replays with UFC CEO Dana White, who suggested Cormier "might be mentally ill" for continuing to argue the strike hit Urena's head.

What Happened After The Knockout

The chaos extended beyond what cameras captured. "D.C. was going crazy," Franklin told MMA Fighting in his guest blog. "There were so many people in the ring, it was getting crazy. Some of the people in the stands, some of the Russian guys were trying to come in the ring and shit because I was talking shit." Franklin later spoke with Urena, who admitted the knee struck his chest and that he stayed down hoping to draw a disqualification. Team Bisping protested when officials considered restarting the bout despite Urena being unconscious moments earlier.

Franklin traced his post-fight outburst back to trash talk from Cormier's coaching staff before the opening bell. He climbed the cage immediately after the stoppage to confront them. The bantamweight said he and Urena had shared a personal conversation earlier that day before his opponent tried to manufacture drama in the kitchen for the cameras, which Franklin rejected as inauthentic.

Franklin advances to face Ilimbek Akylbek Uulu in the TUF 34 semifinals despite requesting that matchup be avoided. Mehemmedeli Osmanli draws Christian Strong in the other bantamweight semi.

Reported via:

• MMA Fighting — The Ultimate Insider: Xavier Franklin tells behind-the-scenes story of controversial win, Daniel Cormier ‘going crazy’