The Ultimate Fighter 'The Smashes' - Discussion & Results

[Keithlewis]

UFC ANNOUNCES THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER AUSTRALIA VS UK - ‘THE SMASHES’ TV SERIES; AUSTRALIA TO TAKE ON THE UNITED KINGDOM IN THE SECOND INTERNATIONAL EDITION OF THE UFC’s REALITY TV PROGRAM


REGISTRATION NOW OPEN TO PROSPECTIVE FIGHTERS


The Ultimate Fighting Championship has confirmed it will film an Australian edition of its hit reality television series, The Ultimate Fighter (‘TUF’), giving Aussie and British mixed martial artists the opportunity to secure a lucrative contract with the world’s preeminent mixed martial arts organization.

Registration is now open to all aspiring UFC fighters from Australia and the UK. Prospective competitors should visit http://au.ufc.com/TUFForm (Aus) or http://uk.ufc.com/TUFForm (UK) for registration forms, rules and qualification criteria. The live tryouts, scheduled for June 12 in Sydney and June 15 in London, will be open to fighters ranging in weight from 61kg to 77kg. Participants must be between 21 and 35 years of age and have had at least three verified professional fights (having won two).

The Australian series, dubbed The Smashes – a play on the 130 year-old cricket rivalry, will see undiscovered professional MMA fighters from Australia and the United Kingdom live together in The Ultimate Fighter House in Australia and compete against each other for a prized UFC contract. This is only the second time in TUF’s seven-year history that teams will represent their country of origin, the first taking place in 2009, during the ninth series, as Team USA took on Team UK.

“Australia and the UK have a fierce, long-standing rivalry, and where better to settle the score than in the UFC’s Octagon,” said Marshall Zelaznik, UFC’s Managing Director of International Development. “The popularity of MMA has exploded in Australia and the UK, with gyms opening all over the respective countries. There is an athlete in one of those gyms who hasn’t had the chance to show the world what he can do – The Ultimate Fighter is going give to him that opportunity. We’re going to discover the UFC’s future stars, you can bet on it.”

The Smashes marks the second international edition of The Ultimate Fighter franchise. The first, currently airing in Brazil, brought in record viewership numbers, recording 12 million viewers for the Premiere episode and attesting to the successful global expansion of the series. With its continued worldwide success, the UFC hopes to one day host several tournaments in different countries, crowning one unanimous winner across an international format.

The series, The Ultimate Fighter, which debuted in 2005, is the longest running and most successful sports reality shows in the United States, and has been a springboard for some of the UFC’s most renowned fighters. Two of Australia’s best UFC talents, George Sotiropoulos and Kyle Noke, broke into the UFC via The Ultimate Fighter. Geelong’s George Sotiropoulos was featured in Season 6, eventually making the semifinals, while Dubbo’s Kyle Noke made it through to the quarterfinals in season 11.

Two of Britain’s finest athletes also entered the UFC by winning The Ultimate Fighter. Michael ‘The Count’ Bisping, one of the UFC’s best and most recognized fighters, won Season 3 in 2006 under the training of UFC legend Tito Ortiz. Ross ‘The Real Deal’ Pearson then followed by winning Season 9 in 2009, when the United States met a team from the United Kingdom. His coach was none other than fellow countryman, Bisping, who built a 6-1 record during his first stint as a mentor. Bisping once again took on a role as coach in season 14, becoming the first fighter to make three appearances on the series.

The show exploded the UFC’s popularity amongst American audiences. The first season, featuring UFC original legends Chuck Liddell and Randy Couture as coaches, included famed UFC names such as Forrest Griffin (light heavyweight winner), Josh Koscheck, Stephan Bonnar and Kenny Florian. The first finale, which took place on April 9, 2005, featured the iconic three-round battle between Stephan Bonnar and Forrest Griffin, and is remembered as one of the most important and famous bouts in UFC history.

[Keithlewis]

Filming for The Ultimate Fighter: Australia vs UK - the Smashes starts in Sydney, Australia this Monday with coaches George Sotiropoulos and Ross Pearson.

[Keithlewis]

CAST ANNOUNCED for the ultimate fighter: AUSTRALIA vs UK – The Smashes


THE SMASHES PREMIERES WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 19 AT 7:30PM AEST ONLY ON FOXTEL



FX and the Ultimate Fighting Championship organization today unveiled the identities of the sixteen Australian and British mixed martial artists set to represent their nations in The Ultimate Fighter: Australia vs UK – The Smashes.

The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) finalists are among the top fighters in both nations’ lightweight and welterweight divisions, with the Australian team comprised of representatives from NSW, QLD and WA, while the UK team features fighters from all over England as well as Northern Ireland.

“These guys have definitely made the second international TUF show ‘can’t miss’ TV,” said UFC President Dana White. “Going into this thing, I had no idea just how much the Aussies and the Brits can’t stand losing to each other. Now I know.”

Premiering Wednesdays at 7:30pm AEST on FX in Australia from September 19, the 13-episode, Australian-produced series follows the selected fighters as they live together in The Ultimate Fighter house, training and competing against eachother for a prized contract with the UFC, culminating with a live three-hour finale in December.



Guided by Australian coach George Sotiropoulos, Team Australia comprises of:

Lightweights:

Grant Blackler, 23, Sunshine Coast

Patrick Iodice, 19, GoldCoast

Richie Vaculik, 29, Sydney

Ben Wall, 23, Brisbane



Welterweights:

Ben Alloway, 31, GoldCoast

Xavier Lucas, 31, Perth

Manuel Rodriguez, 27, Sydney

Robert Whitaker, 21, Sydney




English coach Ross “The Real Deal” Pearson takes charge of Team UK:

Lightweights:

Colin Fletcher, 29, Sunderland

Norman Parke, 25, Bushmills, Nth Ireland Michael Pastou, 30, Essex

Mike Wilkinson, 24, Leigh



Welterweights:

Luke Newman, 22, London

Bola Omoyele, 30, London

Valentino Petrescu, 30, Essex

Brad Scott, 23, Melksham



The two lightweight coaches – both alumni of The Ultimate Fighter television series in the Unites States – will also go head-to-head in the Octagon at the live finale.

Of mentoring his charges, Australian coach George Sotiropoulos said: “It’s a really diverse group of guys on the team, but the thing that’s uniting them is that everyone’s motivated and focused. There’s a lot of personal and national pride at stake but they’re going into the competition with a positive attitude and are really pulling together as a team. I’m very impressed by their maturity.”

British coach Ross Pearson is confident about Team UK’s chances: “Having been where they are, I know exactly what the guys are facing. They’re taking it all in their stride and, despite being so far from home, they’re eager to prove themselves, so morale is high. They each bring unique strengths to the team so the sparks are really going to fly when they meet the Aussies in the Octagon.”

This is only the second time in TUF’s seven-year history that teams will represent their country of origin, the first taking place in 2009 when Team USA took on Team UK. Viewers outside of Australia will be able to tune-in and watch the series on TUF.tv. Join the conversation on Twitter using the hashtag: #TUFSmashes #TeamAUS #TeamUK

[Keithlewis]

[broncofan]

TUF The Smashes Episode 1 Recap

http://www.mmaweekly.com/tuf-the-smashe ... irst-blood


Team Australia Assistant Coaches: Nick Kara (Kickboxing), Charles Blanchard (Wrestling), Leonard Gabriel Jr. (Boxing), Nathan Coy (Wrestling).

Team UK Assistant Coaches: Dean Amasinger (Nutritionist/MMA Coach), Jimmy Harbison (Jiu-Jitsu), Jason Soares (Wrestling), Erin Beach (Sparring/Boxing).

Pearson chose to let his team have a strong sparring session, while Sotiropoulos gave his team a softer start to prevent injuries. Team UK’s Michael Pastou ruptured his bicep throwing an overhand right and was later given the news that it needs surgery, all but dashing his TUF dreams.

The teams came together for first fight announcement. Ross Pearson chose the welterweights with Sotiropoulos choosing Ben Alloway (AUS) vs. Valentino Petrescu (UK) as the first fight.

Both fighters made weight for the fight: Alloway (170.5 lbs) vs. Petrescu (171 lbs).

Ben Alloway (AUS) vs Valentino Petrescu (UK):

Round 1 – The fighters touched gloves. Alloway attempts a leg kick and comes forward, looking to tie it up. Petrescu breaks and comes forward with a leg kick that Alloway catches. Alloway then again ties up Petrescu, but the Brit lands some good knees from the clinch with Alloway pinned against the cage. Alloway breaks free and lands a high kick on Petrescu before taking him down. Alloway moves into half guard, but Petrescu looks for a triangle from his back. Alloway takes the back of Petrescu before landing some solid shots to close the round. 10-9 Alloway.

Round 2 - Petrescu goes back to his jab, with Alloway continuing with his leg kicks. Alloway catches Petrescu with a left hand and follows up with another to drop the Brit, who covers up, but Alloway finishes the fight with ground strikes.

Ben Alloway def. Valentino Petrescu via TKO, Round 2.

“I’m through to the semis. It’s been a long time, but I’m one step closer,” Alloway said on his victory. “It was very emotional.”

[Keithlewis]

[Keithlewis]

Team UK claims its first victory with Colin "Freakshow" Fletcher defeating Ben "Manimal" Wall

http://www.ufc.com/news/tuf-smashes-ep2-recap


Sydney, Australia: The Ultimate Fighter: Australia vs UK – The Smashes™ episode two – Freak or Unique – aired on FX on Wednesday evening, delivering the first lightweight fight of the competition and heralding the UK’s inaugural win of the series.

British fighter, Colin “Freakshow” Fletcher (8-1) defeated Australia’s Ben “Manimal” Wall (6-0) by a unanimous points decision but the bout earned Wall the respect of Team UK for his gutsy effort. Prior to the fight, Fletcher and some of his teammates had mocked Wall, calling him ‘Fox Piss’ in reference to Wall’s flamboyantly dyed hair and their perception that he had an ‘attitude’.

Fletcher, 29 years of age from Sunderland, England, grew up fighting and was bullied for his freakishly long arms and unusual appearance, which inspired his nickname. Living up to his moniker, Fletcher regularly dresses in unusual clown-like costumes but says he’s really just a family man who loves his wife and two young children.

Twenty-three year old Wall came into the competition undefeated and while the loss to Fletcher was a serious disappointment for the Brisbane local, he saw the experience as a positive one: “It sucks to lose. I’ve never lost before but a lot of the best fighters really start to reach their potential after their first loss so guess it will help,” he said.

Also on The Smashes this week, injured UK lightweight, Michael Pastou received heartbreaking news that the UFC® had decided to send him home to recover, following a torn bicep that he suffered during training.

UFC Heavyweight Champion, Junior dos Santos, also surprised The Smashes fighters with a visit to the TUF™ gym, which Australia’s Manny Rodriguez compared to his daughter meeting Justin Beiber.

The series resumes next Thursday, October 4, at 10pm ET/ 7pm PT on au.TUF.tv. In the third episode – Wasabi – the fighters start to get restless in the TUF house, which prompts “Freakshow” and Ben Wall to tackle a wasabi challenge to ease their boredom. With the series locked at one win each, both Team Australia and Team UK are confident in their Welterweights, so coaches George Sotiropoulos and Ross Pearson engage in some mind games with each seeking to get the edge in the important third fight.
For more information, bios, videos and photos, visit au.TUF.tv and follow us on Twitter @UFC_Australia and @FXtvau or on www.facebook.com/UFCAustralia and www.facebook.com/fxtvau. Join the conversation on Twitter: #TUFSmashes #TeamAUS #TEAMUK.

[Keithlewis]

Sutherland Shire’s Robert Whittaker claims Team Australia’s second victory with 19 second knockout of UK’s Luke Newman


http://aus.tuf.tv/news/tuf-smashes-ep3-recap


Aussie welterweight and Shire local, Robert Whittaker (9-2), claimed an impressive 19 second knockout of Team UK’s Luke Newman (5-0) in episode three of The Smashes™, taking the tally to 2-1 in Australia’s favour.

Team UK had the advantage going into the welterweight bout, with the opportunity to choose the fight match-up. UK coach, Ross Pearson announced 22 year-old Newman, from London, England, to take on 21 year-old Whittaker, believing that his teammate had a stylistic advantage over the Aussie.

Following the fight announcement, a cocky Whittaker said he was “100 per cent going to win the fight” and went into the bout with a clear strategy. “I’m gonna go in there and play my own game. I’ll use what my coach, George, has taught me and just do what I do; fight,” he said.

Newman, who entered The Ultimate Fighter® competition with an unbeaten record, was also confident stepping into the Octagon™, saying: “I've never lost a mixed martial arts fight. I'm looking to carry on my streak. There's a lot riding on this. If I win this, I'm that step closer to achieving what I auditioned for. I didn't audition just to come here and fight, I auditioned to come here and win.”

The bout began with Newman rushing Whittaker and landing a few punches before Whittaker landed the knockout punch and finishing the fight decisively with pound and ground.

Commenting on his win, Whittaker said: “I will be in the UFC® one day and it will take more than one man to stop me.”

The explosive bout capped off an action-packed episode of The Smashes where the growing animosity between coaches Sotiropoulos and Pearson become increasingly apparent with both sides engaging in some mind games during the fight announcement and weigh in.

Inside the TUF house, the ‘wasabi challenge’ momentarily united both teams as the UK’s Colin Fletcher and Australia’s Ben Wall attempted to snort lines of wasabi and then Peri Peri sauce. While the challenge may have seemed like harmless fun, both fighters felt the effects for hours following with Fletcher describing the pain as being like having “dirt smeared in my eyes, having my nose pulled off my face and being kicked in the nuts”.

The series resumes next Wednesday, October 10, at 7.30p.m. AEST on FX (FOXTEL channel 123). In the fourth episode – Pick Me – both coaches increase the intensity in training with Sotiropoulos taking Team Australia to do conditioning on sand dunes and Pearson taking Team UK through the training session from hell. Team UK try to pressure Sotiropoulos into picking Norman Parke with a “pick me, pick me” chant and Sotiropoulos surprises them all with who he chooses to face-off in the second lightweight bout.