Franklin KO Sends TUF 34 Into Semifinals After Coach Storms Cage

A replay review and UFC leadership confirmed the finish as legal, advancing four semifinal bouts that put winners one victory from a UFC contract.

Overview

Xavier Franklin scored a first-round knockout over Micaias Urena to win the final quarterfinal and advance the tournament, an outcome shown on Episode 8 of The Ultimate Fighter 34.
Daniel Cormier immediately protested the finish believing Franklin had kneed a downed opponent, then watched the replay and accepted that the knee struck the chest before the follow-up punch ended the fight.
UFC CEO Dana White intervened during the in-cage dispute by urging Cormier to view the replay, and officials left the result standing after the video confirmed a legal finish.
The win completed the quarterfinals and produced these semifinal matchups: Melissa Amaya vs. Gigi Canuto; Delphine Benouaich vs. Tina Black; Xavier Franklin vs. Ilimbek Akylbek Uulu; Christian Strong vs. Mehemmedeli Osmanli.
TUF 34, filmed at the UFC’s Meta APEX and airing on Paramount+, continues to function as a talent pipeline—several cast members have prior Contender Series or UFC experience—and each semifinal winner will be one victory away from earning a UFC contract.