He may have earned a title shot on Saturday night, but not without an absolute war, as Diego Sanchez got a split decision win over Clay Guida in an instant classic during the main event of The Ultimate Fighter Finale at the Palms in Las Vegas.

Sanchez came out like a ball of fire, blasting Guida with a barrage of punches, flying knees, and virtually everything in his striking arsenal. Punch after punch, Guida appeared to be in trouble as blood started to flow from his nose, but the tough Illinois native recovered and took Sanchez to the ground.

Mac Danzig vs. Clay Guida

Round 1: Danzig rushes in with a punch combo but doesn’t land. Danzig with a head kick; he wants to come out as the aggressor. Guida lands two leg kicks. Danzig misses a kick and almost gets taken down. Danzig clinches with Guida against the cage. They separate, and Danzig pops him with a punch, then a body kick.

September’s UFC Fight Night 15 event will feature co-main events with past winners of “The Ultimate Fighter.”

A fight between season-six winner Mac Danzig (18-4-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC) and opponent Clay Guida (23-9 MMA, 3-3 UFC) will be followed by the night’s final bout between season-five winner Nate Diaz (9-2 MMA, 4-0 UFC) and Josh Neer (24-6-1 MMA, 3-3 UFC).

The Sept. 17 event takes place at the Omaha Civic Auditorium in Omaha, Neb., and the main card airs on Spike TV. The UFC recently announced the night’s five televised bouts.