TUF Smashes Episode 7 Recap

Sydney, Australia – During episode seven of The Ultimate Fighter: Australia vs. UK, The Smashes™ - Team UK scored its first welterweight win of the series, when Bradley Scott defeated Australia’s Xavier ‘The X-Man’ Lucas. The result delivered back-to-back victories for the UK, which now leads the competition with four wins to Australia’s three.

In the lead up to the fight, Scott’s teammates found his personal diary which contained inflammatory notes about them. The discovery of the diary prompted a heated confrontation between teammates on the eve of Scott’s fight, initiated by fellow welterweight Valentino Petrescu, who was visibly most hurt by Scott’s written remarks. When he stepped into the Octagon™, Scott secured a unanimous decision win over Perth’s Xavier ‘The X-Man’ Lucas, outclassing his opponent for the majority of the two-round battle. The win helped Scott redeem himself and galvanised his fractured team following the diary incident.

Earlier in the episode, fighters from both teams gathered for a surprise announcement. It was revealed that Team Australia newcomer, James Vainikolo, will have to earn his spot within the competition’s quarter finals, rather than directly replacing the injured Manny Rodriguez. The decision presents a golden opportunity to an eligible UK welterweight, who will gain a second chance in the competition if chosen to fight Vainikolo in the coming weeks.

The news was a shock to Vainikolo, who now faces the challenge of shedding 9 kilograms (20 pounds) in a matter of days ahead of the additional welterweight bout. He is comforted knowing that his opponent will be chosen by Team Australia coach George Sotiropoulos.

The series resumes next Wednesday, November 1, at 7.30p.m. AEDT on FX (FOXTEL channel 123). In episode eight – Phone Home – a scandal shocks UFC President Dana White, forcing him to summon all of the fighters via satellite to rectify the matter. Tensions escalate between coaches Sotiropoulos and Pearson when Team UK loses its training diary ahead of the last preliminary lightweight bout between Team Australia’s Grant Blackler and the UK’s Mike Wilkinson.

Tickets to UFC® on FX: SOTIROPOULOS vs. PEARSON are now on sale, with tickets priced between $175 and $350. To purchase tickets or for more information visit the Gold Coast Box office or go to http://premier.ticketek.com.au.