TUF 17 Finale Fight Card and Semifinals Recap

The complete fight card has been officially announced for the TUF 17 Finale, which will see Urijah Faber take on Scott Jorgensen in the main event and will also feature a #1 contender and TUF coaching opportunity match featuring Miesha Tate vs Cat Zingano.

But the most anticipated fight everyone will most likely be looking forward to is the TUF final between stiking phenom Uriah Hall and the up until now unbeatable underdog Kelvin Gastelum.

This season in particular has offered an abundance of amazing finishes and some of the most competitive high level TUF fights in recent memory and possibly the shows history. Last night’s episode was no exception and saw some great action in both fights.

The baby-faced beast Kelvin Gastelum faced off against Captain confident Josh Samman (yes I made those up).

The two fought an exciting match that didn’t even get out of the first round. Samman came in throwing some feelers until Kelvin took it to the ground and used some very impressive and superior positioning to outwork and frustrate Samman.

Slamming him with elbows and hammerfists, Kelvin forced Samman to find a way out in frustration giving up his back in the process, where Kelvin saw an opening and instantly sunk in a very tight and slick rear naked choke shocking viewers, his team and himself yet again.

This kid seems to be the TUF version the little engine that could, and as Chael noted, he seems to be substantially proficient at nothing in particular, but very solid at everything. His greatest strengths however lie in his ground work, positioning, transitions and a striking power that I’m not sure even he truly knows he possesess just yet.

It’ll be interesting to see if he can keep this undefeated streak and upset the favorite yet again in the finals. Uriah Hall on the other hand was taken to the second round for the first time in the show. Dylan Andrews came in with his back against the wall knowing full well the challenge he had ahead of him.

However unlike Hall’s previous two opponents, the New Zealander didn’t break under the pressure or get caught in any flashy moves or counters. Andrews actually came in very impressive, with a solid gameplan of setting his own pace, distance and timing.

Aside from the fact that he wasn’t throwing anything and was possibly mezmerized by the movement and anticipation of Hall’s attacks, he was actually controlling the cage for most of the fight and walking Hall down, backing him up in the process.

Although it didn’t last very long, Andrews landed a solid takedown, giving himself and the team even more hope. Hall however grabbed a hold of a Kimura on the way down and held it for a while, allowing Andrews to score a few weak but valid body shots.

Hall however got sick of being in the position and shifted things into 5th gear when he reversed Andrews, took his back and reigned down Jamaican fury on his head and face, earning him the impressive TKO finish, while proving he’s got some ground game. Uriah Hall earns himself a spot against Kelvin Gastelum in the TUF finals on April 13th in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Check out the complete fight card below and let us know what you thought of last night’s fights.

Main card (FX at 9 p.m. ET)
Urijah Faber vs. Scott Jorgensen
Uriah Hall vs. Kelvin Gastelum
Miesha Tate vs. Cat Zingano
Travis Browne vs. Gabriel Gonzaga
Bubba McDaniel vs. Gilbert Smith

Undercard (FUEL at 7 p.m. ET)
Josh Samman vs. Kevin Casey
Luke Barnatt vs. Collin Hart
Dylan Andrews vs. Jimmy Quinlan
Clint Hester vs. Bristol Marunde

Undercard (Facebook)
Cole Miller vs. Bart Palaszewski
Sam Sicilia vs. Maximo Blanco
Justin Lawrence vs. Daniel Pineda