Australia lost another fight in the latest TUF Nations, but 19 year-old youngster Jake Matthews showed a lot of promise and potential in his decision loss against Olivier Aubin-Mercier.
The two clashed in seventh episode of the reality show being televised in Australia on FX.
The episode started with heated tension from the last bout as Brendan O’Reilly and Vik Grujic taking exception to comments reportedly said by Canadian team member Kajan Johnson. Johnson was being accused of saying, “he’s done. He’s done,” following the bout between Daniel Kelly and Sheldon Westcott. Johnson denied making those comments and stated that even if he did say it, he wouldn’t of meant it in a ‘retirement’ way as he too was on the brink of retirement at one stage due to an injury so knows what it feels like.
Back at the gym, a Ferrari appears courtesy of Forza Motorsports and Xbox. The fighters get told that the fastest lap on the video game gets to go for a ride in the Ferrari as well as a bonus Xbox to take home. Australian team member Chris Indich ends up claiming the prize, with Brendan O’Reilly getting the slowest time and having to do a nudie run around the house.
Fight preparations get under-way with both Olivier Aubin-Mercier and Jake Matthews weighing in at 169 lbs.
When the fight began, it was Matthews who started the stronger fighter landing early combinations, however as the fight hit the canvas it was Aubin-Mercier who took control landing some hard ground-and-pound from the top position. Matthews ended getting back to his feet only to pull-guard as the first round ended.
Matthews let off some early strikes in the second-round however a judgement mistake allowed Aubin-Mercier to get the takedown after Matthews originally tried to get the fight to the ground from a kick. Aubin-Mercier took control from here and was able to take the back and secure the body-triangle to control the action. Aubin-Mercier attempted to lock in the rear-naked choke submission however the Australian was able to see out the fight.
All three judges awarded Aubin-Mercier the fight 20-18.
Aubin-Mercier reveals post-fight that it’s the first time he has been hit and was disappointed that he could not finish the fight, while in the Australian dressing room, Matthews says that he did not apply what he knew into the fight.
Next episode will feature a middleweight fight between Luke Harris and Vik Grujic.
