The Ultimate Fighter season 17 will come to close this Saturday evening as the finale goes down from the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
The main event will be between two former teammates at Team Alpha Male, as Urijah Faber squares off against Scott Jorgensen. Also on the card are the finals for TUF 17 between Uriah Hall and Kelvin Gastelum.
Unlike other finales, almost every contestant that competed in the house will get a chance to showcase their skills in front of the crowd on the preliminary portion of the card.
This edition of “Hit List” will be a little different than others, as more than likely the losers of the TUF 17 fights will be taking a hike.
Bubba McDaniel and Gilbert Smith
Who they are fighting: Each other
McDaniel was hyped up coming into the show because he was one of Jon Jones’ training partners and buddies. He ended up winning his elimination match against Kevin Casey, but lost in the quarterfinals to Uriah Hall. Smith lost his quarterfinal match-up to Luke Barnatt when he was knocked out in the second round. The two are fighting to keep their position in the UFC and with the two losing early in the competition; the loser is almost certainly getting their walking papers.
Kevin Casey and Josh Samman
Who they are fighting: Each other
Casey flew under the radar in the house, while Samman was fairly outspoken. Samman wound up winning all of his fights leading up to his semi-final match-up with Kelvin Gastelum, which he ended up losing. Many believed Samman would win and make his way to the finals. An exciting fight for him could keep him with the organization for another fight, however if the two don’t tangle in exciting fashion then both could be getting a pink slip.
Luke Barnatt and Collin Hart
Who they are fighting: Each other
Barnatt is a very tall and lanky middleweight, standing at 6’6”. He is 5-0 in his fairly short professional career, but lost in the quarterfinals against Dylan Andrews. Hart won his elimination fight against Kevin Casey, but lost to finalist Kelvin Gastelum in the quarterfinals. The winner of this fight could have a very good career in the UFC, however the loser will probably have to hit the road.
Dylan Andrews and Jimmy Quinlan
Who they are fighting: Each other
These two fighters complement each other’s styles quite nicely, as Quinlan is a takedown and submission specialist; while Andrews is a known striker. Andrews lost in the semi-finals and Quinlan lost in the quarters. Even though both men won fights on the show, in my mind the loser will be out of a UFC contract.
Clint Hester and Bristol Marunde
Who they are fighting: Each other
Hester was the first overall pick for Team Jones, but didn’t live up to expectations, as he lost his opening round fight to Quinlan. Marunde is the lone fighter taking on a cast member that wasn’t on this season of the show, however he did appear on TUF 16. As a part of Team Carwin, Marunde made his way to the quarterfinals however lost to Neil Magny. Since the show he has gone 0-2 inside the octagon. Whoever loses this fight will also lose his job with the UFC.
Other notable fighters who could be cut: Cole Miller, Bart Palaszewski, Daniel Pineda, and Maximo Blanco
