Despite the disappointment of his Ultimate Fighter experience, during which he lost two fights, Bubba McDaniel still got the showcase treatment with a bout on the main card of the TUF 17 Finale.
The rationale for that was that the UFC and FX had invested a lot of time in him during the course of the season, as well as the fact that everyone else on the prelim card was coming off losses, too.
McDaniel made good on the opportunity, showing flashes of the potential his TUF coach Jon Jones made frequent mention of during the show.
McDaniel ultimately won the fight by arm bar submission at 2:49 of the third round.
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Smith had his moments, using his wrestling skill to take the fight down to the mat several times, but McDaniel was one step ahead of him on most occasions, and that held true at the end, when Smith swept to earn top position, only to find himself quickly trapped in a triangle. As he tried to work his way free, McDaniel trapped his arm into an arm bar and got a quick tap for the finish.
McDaniel improved his overall career record to 21-6. Because the fights contested in the TUF house are considered exhibitions, those two losses don't count against him, and so he officially has a seven-fight win streak. Smith is now 5-2.