‘The Ultimate Fighter 17’ Finale Prelims: Miller Submits Palaszewski

Palaszewski (36-17, 1-3 UFC) conceded defeat 4:23 into round one.

Miller (19-7, 7-5 UFC) followed a Superman punch with a double-leg takedown and went to work on the ground. The 28-year-old Augusta, Ga., native transitioned to the back, softened Palaszewski with punches and set the choke for the finish. The victory halted Miller’s two-fight losing streak.

Samman Knees Bury Casey

Casey (5-3, 0-1 UFC) had his chance. The Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt threatened Samman with a triangle choke and an armbar in the first round, only to see the Floridian slam his way out of danger. From that point forward, Casey was a non-factor. Samman trapped him in the clinch late in the first round and resumed his assault in the second, battering him with knees until Casey could no longer stand.

Barnatt Stays Unbeaten, Downs Hart

Hart (4-2-1, 0-1 UFC) did well in the standup, particularly in close quarters, where he landed with power and frequency. Barnatt absorbed the punishment and attacked with his own assortment of strikes: jabs, right crosses, Superman punches, spinning elbows and step-in knees. Delivered with precision and speed, the jab exacted a heavy toll on Hart, bloodying his nose and sapping him of much-needed energy.

By the time the third round arrived, fatigue had taken hold on the Nor-Cal Fighting Alliance export. Hart kept moving forward and scored with a pair of takedowns, but he could not answer with enough authority to turn the tide in his favor.

Andrews Wins Fifth Straight

Quinlan (3-1, 0-1 UFC) was dogged in his pursuit of clinches and takedowns, though his efforts went unrewarded. The Massachusetts-based featherweight grounded and then briefly mounted Andrews roughly two minutes into the bout, only to allow him to escape to his feet. Soon after, Andrews dropped the oncoming Quinlan with a clubbing counter right hand and then closed him out with punches on the ground, securing his fight straight victory.

Hester Elbow Waylays Marunde

Marunde (12-8, 0-1 UFC) was outmatched against a former professional boxer on the feet. He mixed in occasional takedowns but failed to corral Hester on the ground and grew less and less effective with his advances. An Atlanta-based middleweight, Hester utilized a stout jab, thudding power punches and an improved sprawl throughout the match, flooring Marunde with a right hook in the first round and a pair of upkicks in the second. Marunde weathered those volleys, but he was not as fortunate with the elbow.

Hester, 26, has won his last three fights.

Venezuelan Blanco Outduels Sicilia

Low kicks and jabs were the primary weapons of choice for Blanco, who survived a second-round knockdown and largely steered clear of his foe’s heavy artillery. Sicilia (11-3, 1-2 UFC) spent much of the 15-minute encounter winging wild punches, not enough of which found their mark. The win was Blanco’s first since December 2010.

Pineda Kimura Submits Lawrence

Pineda hit two quick takedowns, passed guard into side control and set up the kimura. Soon after, Lawrence (4-2, 1-2 UFC) frantically tapped out. Pineda, a 27-year-old Dallas native, has delivered all 18 of his professional victories by knockout, technical knockout or submission.