The Ultimate Fighter Nations Finale Date: April 16, 2014 Arena: Colisee Pepsi City: Quebec City, Quebec, Canada Here are my plays for the TUF Nations middleweight and welterweight finals, as well as the coaches bout… Middleweight bout: Elias Theodorou (-130) vs Sheldon Westcott (-110) Gabe’s Prediction: I have become a big fan of both of these fighters. I love Westcott and his finishing style. He is dangerous both on the feet and on the mat. That said, I feel Theodorou is just as good, only he is also capable of grinding his opponents out. He will have the superior wrestling in this fight, and I think it will be is key to victory. I think he will use his hands to set up his takedowns effectively. We may also see him pressure Westcott against the cage and work him there, possibly getting a takedown from that position. Theodorou is a big middleweight, while Westcott is a natural welterweight. Westcott will have the advantage in speed, but I don’t think it will be enough. Gabe’s Call: Theodorou by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) Gabe’s Recommended Play: Elias Theodorou (-130) 2.99u to win 2.3u Welterweight bout: Chad Laprise (-125) vs Olivier Aubin-Mercier (-115) Gabe’s Prediction: I believe in Olivier, I think this kid can go far. Laprise is also very good, but I feel Aubin-Mercier is just better, and more well-rounded. Laprise will be looking to keep this fight on the feet, and Aubin-Mercier will likely be looking to take it to the mat. I don’t think Aubin-Mercier will be in trouble on the feet. Contrary, I think he will keep it competitive on the feet and mix in his takedowns to secure the rounds on the judges’ scorecards. I think Aubin-Mercier will pull this one off, I’m just not sure if it will be close or one-sided. Gabe’s Call: Aubin-Mercier by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) Gabe’s Recommended Play: Olivier Aubin-Mercier (-115) 3.91u to win 3.4u Welterweight bout: Kyle Noke (-120) vs Patrick Cote (+100) Gabe’s Prediction: To put it simply, I just feel like Noke is the better fighter. Just slightly better, though. It certainly benefits him to be training with all-star talent and the renowned Jackson-Winklejohn MMA gym in Albuquerque, NM. I think the odds are spot-on in pretty much saying that this bout is a coin-flip. It is a fight where any outcome is a likely outcome. Bottom line, though, I believe Noke is slightly better and deservingly so, should be the small favorite. Both fighters have not seen action in quite a bit of time, so ring rust may be an issue. There wasn’t any rivalry between the Canadian and the Australian at all during their time as coaches on TUF Nations, and perhaps that is why not too many fight fans are hyped up about this fight. Gabe’s Call: Noke by Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) Gabe’s Recommended Play: Kyle Noke (-120) 1.2u to win 1u
