In episode five of The Ultimate Fighter – Australia vs Canada, we start off with both teams talking about the change of fortunes with Australia picking up it’s first win of the season against one of team Canada’s favourites.
The Australian team let off some steam with a snow-fight with the Australian teams being joined by Elias Theodorou. Following their bout, Tyler Manawaroa and Nordine Taleb hit drinks back at the lodge with cognac being the beverage of choice. Taleb in particular egging on Manawaroa to have some more despite the Australian not being a fan of the taste.
Attention quickly turned to this episodes fight between VT1 Sydney based Richard Walsh (pictured left) and Matt DeRoches. At training Team Cote attempts to motivate his team to work together to get the win and tells his team to concentrate on their ‘bad spots’, so that when they find themselves in those positions, they know what to do.
21 year-old DeRoches talked briefly about his struggles being black and brought up in a white community while Walsh reveals that he started MMA after watching UFC knockouts 1 & 2. No trouble to make weight for either fighter as they both weighed in at 170 lbs.
Four time Judo Olympian Daniel Kelly it itching to fight, and is at the same time pushing through various injuries after a comprehensive and long sporting career.
With an injured foot, Nordine Taleb does his best to coach the team while hopping around on one leg. It was revealed that Sheldon Westcott hurt his knee while training with fellow team mate Elias Theodorou. Westcott is pushing through it but Canadian team does say that they would prefer he be the last fighter to be picked to fight which will allow him to recover a bit more from the injury.
The ever creative Brendan O’Reilly uses empty water tank bottles to make a giant horn to cheer on Walsh during the fight.
As the fight between Walsh and DeRoches began, the Aussie fighter pushed the fight against the cage early where the two exchanged some short knees inside the clinch. The two finished the first round exchanging big strikes with Walsh rocking his opponent with seconds left in the round by landing a big right.
Walsh goes for the takedown in the second round but is defended well by his Canadian opponent. DeRoches started to swing wildly looking for the knock-out blow however Walsh stayed calm and knocked DeRoches down with a jab. Walsh was finally able to land a takedown and managed to take his opponent’s back before DeRoches escaped back to his feet. Both fighters finished the round exchanging short strikes from inside clinch.
The decision came back unanimous with Richie Walsh giving Australia a second consecutive win.
The next fight is announced with Judo Olympian Daniel Kelly taking on injured Canadian Sheldon Westcott. The only other remaining middleweight fighters are Luke Harris and Vik Grujic who will now meet in a later episode.
