The Ultimate Fighter Nations - Discussion and Results

[Keithlewis]

Commonwealth Countries set to do battle in next INTERNATIONAL EDITION OF The Ultimate Fighter


UFC reality show veterans Patrick Côté and Kyle Noke named coaches of Canada versus Australia series


The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) confirmed today the next international installment of its famed reality show will feature two leading Commonwealth mixed martial arts countries, as Canada meets Australia in The Ultimate Fighter Nations. Series veterans Patrick Côté (20-8) and Kyle Noke (20-6-1) were officially named coaches of the 22nd edition of the show, which will feature welterweight (170lbs) prospects.

UFC President Dana White's exclusive announcement: http://www.ufc.com/media/tuf-nations-ca ... nouncement

A nine-year veteran of the UFC, Côté appeared on the reality series in 2006 when he joined a cast of UFC alumni in The Ultimate Fighter: The Comeback. Originally from Rimouski, Quebec, the bilingual fighter was the first Canadian to reach the series final, and remains only one of two Canadian fighters’ to have done so. Côté then went on a five-fight win streak in the UFC, and earned a shot at Anderson Silva’s UFC middleweight title.

Noke, a native of Dubbo, New South Wales, joined the reality series ranks when he fought his way onto season 11, The Ultimate Fighter®: Team Liddell vs. Team Ortiz. He was Hall of Famer Liddell’s No.1 pick, and reached the quarterfinals. He has since gone 4-2 in the UFC, including an impressive Submission of the Night win over Chris Camozzi and a devastating KO last time out over Charlie Brenneman.

Tryouts for The Ultimate Fighter Nations: Canada vs. Australia will begin in September. Both countries will host casting opportunities, the first in Sydney and the second in Toronto. Further details and registration forms will be available as of July 1st at http://www.ufc.com/TUFNations.

The Ultimate Fighter Nations is expected to debut in early 2014. It will air nationally in Canada on Sportsnet and TVA Sports and on FX in Australia. A complete broadcast schedule will be announced at a later date.

The Ultimate Fighter, which debuted in 2005, has launched the careers of more than 100 UFC fighters and has produced past champions such as Forrest Griffin, Rashad Evans, Michael Bisping and Matt Serra. This will be Australia’s second participation in the series, having taken part in the second international edition battling the U.K. in The Ultimate Fighter The Smashes: U.K. vs. Australia. Welterweights were most recently featured on The Ultimate Fighter 16 and The Ultimate Fighter Brasil 2, when Colton Smith and Leonardo Santos emerged as season winners.

[Keithlewis]

[Keithlewis]

Tryouts for 'TUF: Canada vs. Australia' Set for September


The Ultimate Fighting Championship organization will be hosting a casting call for the next international edition of its long-running reality series, The Ultimate Fighter, on Wednesday September 11, 2013, in Sydney, Australia and Sunday, September 22, 2013 in Toronto, Canada. The Ultimate Fighter Nations: Canada vs. Australia will host open casting calls for welterweight (170lbs) and middleweight (185 lbs) fighters.

All The Ultimate Fighter Nations candidates must be between the ages of 18 and 34, have a minimum of three professional Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fights – holding a winning record (with verifiable records) and hold a valid Canadian or Australia passport. Fighters who have competed on a previous season of The Ultimate Fighter or who have previously fought in the UFC are ineligible.

Applications should be completed online at http://www.ufc.com/tufnations STARTING NOW. Tryout details, including locations and times are also provided online.

The Ultimate Fighter, which debuted in 2005, has launched the careers of more than 100 UFC fighters and has produced past champions such as Forrest Griffin, Rashad Evans, Michael Bisping and Matt Serra.

This will be Australia's second participation in the series, having taken part in the second international edition battling the U.K. in The Ultimate Fighter The Smashes: U.K. vs. Australia. Welterweights were most recently featured on The Ultimate Fighter 16 and The Ultimate Fighter Brasil 2, when Colton Smith and Leonardo Santos emerged as season winners.

[Keithlewis]

[Keithlewis]

[Keithlewis]

[Keithlewis]

TUF Nations: Episode 2 Recap

Courtesy of Dan Downes - UFC.com



The episode opens with Team Canada celebrating Kajan Johnson’s victory from last week. Instead of your usual beer fueled rager, they decide to class the joint up with some red wine. Team Australia walks in the middle of the party and makes some awkward conversation. One guy that definitely has no trouble talking is Elias Theodorou. He’s in the hot tub with some of the other housemates showing off his next level bragging skills. He even dubs himself, “the top middleweight in Canada.” Team Australia seems to be asking him questions about his career and he’s all too happy to indulge them. The sudden interest in Elias (who is fighting this week against Zein Saliba) makes teammate Nordine Talib suspicious. He calls a team meeting and warns all the Canadians to fight their natural Canadian friendliness and not give any information to the opposing team.

After a break we’re at a Team Canada training session. Coach Cote has brought in 4x Brazilian Jiu Jitsu champion Vitor Ribeiro in to help Elias prepare for BJJ black belt Zein. Apparently they broadcasted School House Rock in Canada because Elias tells us that, “Knowledge is power” and he’s learning a lot by being on TUF. He then gives a glimpse into the gameplan. Zein is primarily a jiu jitsu practitioner, so he wants to keep the distance and avoid clinching. On the Team Australia side, we hear Zein Saliba’s thoughts about his opponent. He jokes that even if he were to knock Elias out, the Canadian would keep talking. He’s even nicknamed Elias “Buzz Lightyear” because of his distinguished jawline. As far as the fight is concerned, Zein wants to keep the pressure on and is willing to fight Elias anywhere. Speaking of Elias, we check back in with him and he still has a few more humble brags to put out there about how he’s an actor/model with “the best hair in MMA.” We also learn that he once charged someone $500 for a date. Canada must have very lax escort laws.

Weigh-ins go by without any real issues. Elias does some strange cat motions, but it fails to rile up Zein. The coaches then give their take on the fight, and both are confident that their fighter will win (surprise, surprise). Cote warns Elias to avoid getting into a brawl and to use a lot of head movement and straight punches. Kyle Noke doesn’t reveal much in the way of strategy. “[Elias] loves his hair, he loves his face. Hope he doesn’t mind getting punched in it.”

Back at the house, Patrick Cote stops by with the rest of the coaching staff. He alsobrings his nutritionist along to give the guys some guidance. The nutritionist asks Elias how he rehydrated after weigh-ins and the only response he gets is, “Everything.” In polite Canadian fashion, he tells him that may not exactly be the soundest strategy. While the Canadians are getting nutrition tips, the Australians are eating cake in celebration of Dan Kelly’s birthday. Most of it winds up on Kelly’s face or the floor, so hopefully we won’t have to worry about the weight issues of last season. In the run up to the match we hear assistant coach Martinez yell at some people and Elias claim he’s only been hit three times in his entire eight fight career. It seems like a questionable boast, but we’ll soon see because it’s fight time!

Round One:

Elias strikes first with a kick/punch combo and pushes Zein against the fence. Zein fights the initial single leg attempt and the two pummel for position. After failing to break Elias’s grip, Zein is finally able to slip out and grab a waistlock. Elias quickly breaks the hold and puts Zein right back against the fence. The Australian scores a couple knees, but Elias keeps attempting the takedown. The two reverse positions a few times and score a couple strikes on the inside, but Elias’s persistence finally pays off and he scores the takedown. He can’t hold Zein down, though, and the two scramble back against the fence. Elias reaches for another single leg, but Zein prevents him from finishing. Again, the Canadian’s tenacity works as he finally gets deep on Zein’s hips and slams the Australian to the ground. With 30 seconds left in the round, Zein rises back to his feet, but he’s quickly slammed right back to the mat. Elias takes top position and is ready to attack as the bell rings to end the round.

Round Two:

Zein comes out aggressive and opens the round with a Superman elbow strike. Elias avoids it and forces the action against the fence once more. This time around, Elias wastes little time jockeying for position and scores a double leg takedown. Zein tries to work different angles from his guard and lock up a submission, but Elias smothers every single attempt. As Zein reaches for a kimura, Elias takes the opportunity to pass to half guard. He’s unable to capitalize as the Zein uses the brief opening to climb back to his feet. As they fight for position, Elias secures a front headlock and snaps his opponent back to the mat. He moves from full mount then to side control, but doesn’t really mount any offense. Zein slides out and even takes Elias’s back. Zein tries to finish the rear naked choke, but he’s doesn’t have the hooks in deep enough. Elias shrugs him off, moves to side mount and scores a couple short elbows and body punches. Zein is breaks out, but it’s too little too late and the round ends.

Elias clearly wins the decision. Cote credits Elias’s pace and conditioning as the key to victory. Coach Noke blames Zein’s lack of experience and his inability to capitalize on opportunities. Elias is quite proud of himself and claims he was able to do “whatever I wanted to do.” We quickly move to the fight announcement which will feature Team Canada’s Chad Laprise against Team Australia’s Chris Indich. Cote calls Chris “not very mobile” and thinks that he has no chance of taking down Chad. Noke hints at a not so friendly rivalry between the tow fighters and is happy Chris we’ll be able to get his hands on Chad.

The episode wraps up with a preview into next week. Does Team Canada continue their dominance? Who is the Team Australia mystery coach? On a scale from 1-10, how awesome are didgeridoos? Find out this and more next week on The Ultimate Fighter!

[Keithlewis]

TUF Nations: Episode 3 Recap

Courtesy of Dan Downes - UFC.com



The episode opens at the TUF house with Team Australia’s Tyler Manawaroa giving the house a didgeridoo wake-up call, and Team Canada’s Nordine Taleb is understandably upset. Actually, upset may not be the best word to use considering Nordine’s shockingly specific homicide plans that follow. We shift from potential murder suspect to dedicated Christian as one of this week’s combatants Chad Laprise makes an appearance. Gering up for his fight against Chris Indich, he discusses how big of a role Jesus and religion play in his life.

We leave the house and move to a Team Australia training sessions. After losing the first two fights this season, Coach Kyle Noke realizes that he needs to switch things up. Citing the fact that the guys, “need to learn how to train smarter,” Noke brings in his strength and conditioning coach Jon Chaimberg. What complicates matters, though, is the fact that Chaimberg also coaches Team Canada’s Nordine Taleb and Chad Laprise. This does not sit well with Patrick Cote. He calls Chaimberg selfish and tells him that doing this will be a “bad career move.” These Canadians are really into threats, eh?

Chaimberg takes the Australians through their workout, promising that we’ll see a couple guys puke. They come close, but thankfully we avoid Aussie vomit. After a grueling conditioning session, the Australians head back to the house and do the next logical thing -- hang tampons from the taxidermied moose. The Canadians come back and clean up their unofficial mascot because as Kajan Johnson brilliantly points out, “Canadian moose don’t have tampons.” Fortunately for the Australians, no one else gets threatened with bodily harm.

We then learn more about undefeated fighter Chad Laprise. While he’d like the opportunity to brawl and “go to war,” Chad expects Chris to come out and look for the takedown. Anticipating a grappling heavy approach, Chad works escapes with assistant coach Fabio Holanda. They especially focus on working against the cage and breaking the waistlock grip. Holanda wants Chad to fight in the center of the cage and use his superior striking to win. Chad predicts that his “stick and move” gameplan and speed will be the difference makers.

As Nordine struggles to climb into an ice bath, we cut back to Team Australia’s training session. Assistant Coach Martinez says that Chris is “not much to look at,” but that he likes his heart and drive. Not the greatest endorsement, but at least it’s something. Nicknamed “The Savage,” Chris says that he earned the title from his reputation for getting in bar brawls. He admits that he was a very angry youth and it caused him to get into a lot of fights. He doesn’t expressly say it, but he lets his guard down and reveals that he had an abusive father that may have contributed to this attitude.

Back at the house, while Elias dances, Chad Laprise flips the usual pro fighter talking points. Normally we hear fighters talk about how sore and injured they are, but Chad does the exact opposite. He mentions how great he feels and that nothing is bothering him at all. He also discusses his desire to be a role model. He doesn’t drink or womanize and wants to show kids that you can be a professional athlete and a good Christian.

Chad Laprise isn’t the only guy in the zone. We watch another Team Canada training session and every guy on the team raves about how great training has been and how everyone is in the zone. No one seems to be struggling; it’s a maple leaf wonderland.

Back at Team Australia the sentiment is completely different. Brendan O’Reilly mentions that people are wearing down. Tyler has a thumb injury that has hampered his training, but he should be more worried about his weight. He steps on the scale and clocks in at 199.5 pounds. Surprisingly, Coach Martinez doesn’t yell at him and takes it all in stride. Tyler buckles down and miserably eats his dinner of four boiled eggs and an avocado.

Weigh ins go on without incident. Chad reads from the Bible and Chris feels the pressure to turn things around for the Aussies and its fight time.

ROUND ONE

Chad scores a solid jab that sets the tone from the beginning. He follows up with low kicks and maintains a lot of side to side movement. Chris hunts with his right hand, but doesn’t find the mark. Chad continues to score low kicks and then moves away to avoid Chris’s counter attacks. Chad’s punches are faster and he’s consistently beating Chris to the punch. Another low kick lands, but Chris finally lands a right hand. Unfazed, Chad answers with a body kick. Chris tries to get in there and brawl, but Chad’s footwork is too much and avoids prolonged engagements. As Chris swings harder, he creates more openings that Chad readily exploits. Chris keeps charging forward, but the round ends with Chad in firm control.

ROUND TWO

Chris scores the first punch of the second round, but Chad goes right back to chopping his leg with low kicks. Feeling the pressure to mount some offense, Chris opens up more, but Chad counters effectively. Chad continues to kick and then use his speed to attack from different angles. The “stick and move” gamelpan is being followed to perfection. Chris attempts his first takedown of the match, but is easily brushed aside. Chad counters with a body kick. Chris grabs it and pushes him against the fence, but Chad spins out and escapes. Chad continues to score that jab and Chris just can’t seem to find an answer for it. Chris gets a few flurries in, but none of them change the momentum of the fight. In the closing seconds Chad adds some spin kick for style points, but the round ends.

Coach Noke hopes for a third round, but we have a judges decision. All three give the unanimous nod to Chad Laprise. Coach Cote is extremely pleased with Chad’s boxing and ability to follow instructions perfectly. We move right to the fight announcement and it’ll be Nordine Taleb vs. Tyler Manowaroa. Nordine personally asked for the fight because he heard that Tyler called him out. According to Tyler, “[Nordine] has muscles, but that’s about it.”

We finish with a sneak peek into next week’s episode. Does Team Canada continue its undefeated streak? Will Coach Noke start to lose his patience? What does an Australian snowball fight look like? Find out this and more next week on The Ultimate Fighter!


Season at a Glance:


Team Canada:

Welterweights:

Olivier Aubin-Mercier
Matthew Desroches
Kajan Johnson (1-0, first-round submission win over O'Reilly in episode 1)
Chad Laprise (1-0, decision over Chris Indich in episode 3)

Middleweights:

Luke Harris
Nordine Taleb
Elias Theodorou (1-0, decision over Zein Saliba in episode 2)
Sheldon Westcott



Team Australia

Welterweights:

Chris Indich (0-1, decision loss to Chad Laprise in episode 3)
Jake Matthews
Brendan O’Reilly (0-1, Lost to Johnson via first-round submission in episode 1)
Richard Walsh

Middleweights:

Vik Grujic
Daniel Kelly
Tyler Manawaroa
Zein Saliba (0-1, decision loss to Theodorou in episode 2)