The Ultimate Fighter Nations Finale Date: April 16, 2014 Arena: Colisee Pepsi City: Quebec City, Quebec, Canada Here are my prop plays for The Ultimate Fighter Nations Finale… Welterweight bout: Chad Laprise (+120) vs Olivier Aubin-Mercier (-130) Aubin-Mercier by Decision (+203) 1u to win 2.03u I am buying the Aubin-Mercier hype, but not so much the Chad Laprise hype. I think A-M will be better everywhere, though I don’t think he will get the finish, ‘cos Laprise has a good chin, as well as good submission defense. Not to mention, he is very tough. I see this fight going all three rounds, and I see Olivier Aubin-Mercier getting his hand raised, being crowned the first Canadian Ultimate Fighter. Light heavyweight bout: Ryan Jimmo (-570) vs Sean O’Connell (+480) Jimmo by Decision (+171) 1u to win 1.71u Jimmo has been known to play it safe. It seems he cares more about securing a win than he does finishing a fight. In this bout, he is facing a promotional newcomer in Sean O’Connell, who is taking this bout on short notice. Jimmo and O’Connell have become good pals since meeting, so I think there is a good chance Jimmo showcases his skills without going for the knockout in this fight. Bantamweight bout: Dustin Kimura (+125) vs George Roop (-135) Fight Won’t Go the Distance (-165) 1.65u to win 1u I have a hard time seeing this fight going five minutes, much less 15. Both bantamweights will come out the gate looking to finish. I think Roop will be more aggressive, and will be more effective in his stand-up. I expect him to catch Kimura on the feet, and then follow him to the mat to finish him with ground and pound. There is a chance Kimura could catch Roop with something, too, most likely a submission. For that reason I prefer this prop over the ‘Roop Inside the Distance’ prop. For a full write-up on this bantamweight scrap, I refer you to my fight article on the bout. Chris Indich (+200) vs Richard Walsh (-220) Walsh by Decision (+260) 1u to win 2.6u I think Walsh will keeo this fight standing and outstrike Indich. Indich is tough, so I don’t think he will get finished. He is the superior grappler, but I don’t see him finding much success in that department. I see Walsh picking him apart on the feet en route to a unanimous decision victory on the judges’ scorecards.
