The Ultimate Fighter 17 Finale Predictions
Urijah Faber vs. Scott Jorgensen:
Mike Drahota: To be honest, the TUF Finale holds my interest a lot more than the main event, which says something good about this season of TUF. Beyond that, Faber and Jorgensen are both WEC vets with extensive wrestling pedigrees, but Faber is the obvious massive favorite. He’ll keep getting winnable fights until he gets another title shot, but it’s there that his challenges always lie. It’s kind of an obvious choice, but I’m still picking Urijah Faber to win via R2 submission.
Bryan Fontez: This is gonna be short and sweet. Scott Jorgensen is a solid Bantamweight fighter, there is no doubt about it, but he is not, has never been and most likely will never be considered as one of the elite fighters within his division. With that said, Urijah Faber is better at everything by quite a margin, so unless he’s unfocused or out of shape, I give Jorgensen relatively no chance and will say Urijah Faber via 2nd Round Submission (Most likely a rear naked choke).
Rory Kernaghan: Urijah Faber and Scott Jorgensen have had very similar careers as far as ups and downs. Both guys recently bounced back from losses with submission wins. My prediction is that this fight will take place mainly on the feet. Both these guys are Division 1 wrestlers, and I think they will nullify each other’s wrestling. Faber should utilize a good outside leg kick and focus on wearing Jorgensen down. I think Faber has the nod in the striking department, we know Jorgensen got knocked out by Eddie Wineland, so he should have worked defense. The finish will come in the third with Faber rocking Jorgensen and finishing with a tight choke. California Kid by R3 submission (RNC).
Uriah Hall vs. Kelvin Gastelum:
Mike Drahota: I think it’s safe to say at this point that Uriah Hall is the most dynamic striker that TUF has ever produced, and is ready to take the UFC Middleweight division by storm. He’s finished all four of his fights on the show, and put all four opponents in the hospital. That said, Kelvin Gastelum has been the underdog in all of his bouts and proved his doubters wrong. He’s gritty, and could pull off the upset if he gets the fight to the ground. I just don’t see that happening though, and I have to pick Uriah Hall via R1 TKO.
Bryan Fontez: Alright folks this is a fun one, and if you know both opponents it’s not that easy to pick. Both fighters are coming into this final with a ton of momentum and confidence. After what they’ve accomplished I don’t see either fighter being afraid of each other or lacking focus as some have been suggesting. Both fighters have a good chance if they fight their fight, the one who comes in and imposes their style will win. Gastelum could easily turn this into an ugly grinder and squeeze out a decision, but he also has the power to finish. Ultimately however, I see Uriah Hall being simply too fast, too smart, too strong and simply too much talent for Gastelum to handle. Uriah Hall becomes the Ultimate Fighter via TKO in round 2.
Rory Kernaghan: Uriah Hall is by far the best TUF combatant since the show was thought up. Unfortunately for Gastelum, I feel Hall will just be too much to handle. Although Gastelum is undefeated as a pro, I think Hall is just on another level. I feel that with skills like his, Hall could make a big impact in the UFC. If Gastelum can take Hall down and keep him there, he may be able to get the win. But in reality I think Hall is going to knock out his foe with relative ease. Hall by KO in the first.
