The Ultimate Fighter
THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER 17 REPORT 1/29: Penick's live blog of Team Jones vs. Team Sonnen Ep. 2
Jan 29, 2013 - 9:05:18 PM THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER 17 REPORT 1/29: Penick's live blog of Team Jones vs. Team Sonnen Ep. 2

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

After a change in pace with last week's two hour debut of The Ultimate Fighter 17, anticipation for the show is higher than its been in the past several seasons. The season continues tonight with episode two, which will see the teams coming together for the first time, and Jon Jones' fourth pick Gilbert Smith taking on Team Sonnen's No. 1 guy, Luke Barnatt, in the first team fights of the season. Join me here throughout the broadcast for my ongoing thoughts on the show and tonight's fight.

-The show opens with a recap of last week's episode, then we get right into the fighters entering the house for the first time. It's still kind of incredible how a different presentation can make something as played out as this show has become much more interesting.

-Jones' team is very frustrated with his decision to book the Smith-Barnatt fight first, worried it's not going to go well. Josh Samman is given the most airtime to express his grievances, and they're worried Smith is going to cost them the ability to determine their own destinies. Even Jones and his coaches are concerned.

-After practice, Smith talks about not getting any positive feedback, and back at the house he was having issues with his own self confidence with everyone doubting him. Bubba McDaniel deems that mental weakness, and the circle continues.

-Through the first few segments, they're building a coherent story about this fight. They're using Smith's teammates and coaches to build this narrative into the fight later, and already there's a more interesting reason to watch the fight. Now the question becomes: is he going to be able to pull through, or are their fears going to be confirmed come fight time?

-Team Sonnen's a lot more positive to start things off. Then it's back to Team Jones and McDaniel lets assistant coach Frank Mir know that they've got an issue with this Gilbert Smith pick. Smith's then brought in and all he can say is he's going to fight whomever's put in front of him. His teammates confronted him, and felt it was an ambush. Jones came in and told Smith he didn't have anything to worry about, and told him controversy means nothing, and that he's here for one reason: himself. Not a bad pep talk from the Champ, to be honest.

-The strategy Jones is trying to instill in Smith is the lunging overhand against the taller Barnatt. It's an interesting look into the matchup breakdown.

-Clint Hester and Adam Cella don't share the concerns of their other Team Jones teammates, and express as much.

-Sonnen and his coaches went to the house. Sonnen believes Barnatt will beat Smith, and he was angling to get Uriah Hall an easy pass to the next round. But Hall surprised him by saying he wanted to take out their best guys right away.

-Sonnen thinks the size difference is a clear advantage in Barnatt's favor. Instead of just fast forwarding right to the weigh-in, there's a little bit more of a look into the proceedings. Both Jones and Sonnen are confident their guys are winning this one.

-Dana White questioned Jones' pick of Smith with the height and reach disadvantages he's facing against Barnatt.

-Team Sonnen sits around with Barnatt discussing his thoughts on how the fight will play out and also questioning the pick from Team Jones.

-Smith says he doesn't want to hurt people, but he wants to win, and "sometimes that's the requirement of winning." Barnatt said it's not about being the best fighter all of the time, it's about leaving everything in there and fighting with heart and not giving up. Smith brought things dark by saying he's willing Barnatt's going to have to be willing to die in there to bring him to the brink, and he doesn't think he's ready and/or willing to do that. Smith breaks down what he needs to do to win the fight.

FIGHT: GILBERT SMITH VS. LUKE BARNATT

ROUND ONE: One of Barnatt's first kicks landed to the groin and action was briefly halted. Barnatt landed a front kick and avoided Smith's first advance. Smith closed the distance and shot for a single leg takedown against the cage. He completed the takedown but Barnatt immediately got to his feet and turned him around in the clinch. Then he scored a trip. Smith got right back to his feet and they battled with knees in the clinch. Barnatt turned him around with a couple nice knees and Smith fired back. He again net for a single leg and scored a second takedown briefly. Barnatt defended another attempt, then scored another brief trip. Stalemate essentially with both scoring in the grappling and striking exchanges. Smith shot again, then lost position and Barnatt tried to take his back. Smith then turned it around. They got back to their feet in the clinch. They separated with Smith landing a punch. Smith landed a hard inside leg kick. Barnatt threw a knee as Smith shot in again. Smith landed a punch as a close round ended. Would probably lean 10-9 Barnatt on that one, but it was close.

-Between rounds, Jones tells Smith, "Remember, he doesn't like getting hit in the face, so what I need you to do, is hit him in the face."

ROUND TWO: Smith threw a couple early strikes and shot in for the single leg. Smith tried to trip him but almost wound up on his back. He landed a couple strikes as they stood up. Barnatt landed a knee to the body. Barnatt pulled off a nice switch, then tried to roll through with a kimura. Smith ended up on top after a roll through. Barnatt got to his feet. He went for a takedown and completed it to mount, though he lost that position right away. Smith scrambled and worked to his feet. Smith landed a nice combination. He landed a couple more nice punches. Barnatt got in a knee to the body. Smith threw another short combo. Barnatt landed a jumping knee as Smith dove in for a takedown and it knocked Smith out. Nice end to a close, not that exciting bout.

-Well, the concern from Jones' team was right. Smith wasn't a good matchup against Barnatt. He was actually having a little success following what Jones wanted him to do with the overhand strikes, but he was trying to go for the takedowns, and not having success there. Then he telegraphed another takedown and got knocked out. Barnatt took advantage of what Smith was leaving open, and Team Sonnen now has control.

-The replays of the knockout were sick. That was like Jose Aldo's double knee on Cub Swanson, but instead of a cut it was button shot knockout. Josh Samman didn't want to rub anything in, but he did say that's what would happen. Bubba McDaniel called out Kevin Casey to try to goad the matchup he wanted anyway.

-Smith broke down from the loss. Jones said their goal of sweeping the season is no more. He wanted his team to be pissed off.

-Sonnen got the pick for the next fight, and he booked Uriah Hall against Adam Cella for next week. Well, that's definitely trying to get Hall to the next round.

-Jones believes the fight's going to be tough, as he considers Hall one of the best in the season, and says Cella will be an underdog next week.

-Preview for next week has a lot of doubt on Cella's chances. With the preview saying it's one of the most violent finishes in Ultimate Fighter history, and the one Dana says is one of the nastiest he's ever seen in the fight business. I would be shocked, SHOCKED, if Adam Cella's the one who pulls that off.

-That was a good episode with a not-so-good fight. They set up the doubt from Jones' team, and played that narrative through the episode and it ultimately played out as most of Team Jones feared. Thanks for checking in with us tonight, we'll be back next week with a guaranteed violent knockout in the fight.