It will be a battle of disproportionate heights on episode two of The Ultimate Fighter 17, as 6-foot-6 Luke Barnatt takes on 5-foot-9 Gilbert Smith.
Barnatt was Chael Sonnen’s top pick and UFC light-heavyweight champion Jon Jones elected to have Smith take on Sonnen’s No. 1 guy when making the first fight selection.
Watch episode two of TUF 17 Tuesday at midnight ET on Sportsnet Ontario and East, midnight MT on Sportsnet West and at 8 p.m. PT on Sportsnet Pacific and visit Sportsnet.ca for weekly episode recaps
Smith choked Eric Wahlin unconscious with an arm-triangle to earn a spot in the TUF House, while Barnatt of England beat Nicholas Kohring by decision. The two will battle for a spot in the quarterfinals.
This season there are only 14 fighters on the show, so the UFC decided to bring back a wild card spot used in past seasons.
Following the preliminary round, the seven winners will be joined by the wild card, who will be chosen by the coaches and White based on their performance in their losing effort.
Fighters will receive $5,000 for every submission or knockout they earn during the show and at the end of the season $25,000 will be award to the fighter(s) that have the best fight, KO and submission of the season.