
After a break we’re at a Team Canada training session. Coach Cote has brought in 4x Brazilian Jiu Jitsu champion Vitor Ribeiro in to help Elias prepare for BJJ black belt Zein. Apparently they broadcasted School House Rock in Canada because Elias tells us that, “Knowledge is power” and he’s learning a lot by being on TUF. He then gives a glimpse into the gameplan. Zein is primarily a jiu jitsu practitioner, so he wants to keep the distance and avoid clinching. On the Team Australia side, we hear Zein Saliba’s thoughts about his opponent. He jokes that even if

Weigh-ins go by without any real issues. Elias does some strange cat motions, but it fails to rile up Zein. The coaches then give their take on the fight, and both are confident that their fighter will win (surprise, surprise). Cote warns Elias to avoid getting into a brawl and to use a lot of head movement and straight punches. Kyle Noke doesn’t reveal much in the way of strategy. “[Elias] loves his hair, he loves his face. Hope he doesn’t mind getting punched in it.”

Round One
Elias strikes first with a kick/punch combo and pushes Zein against the fence. Zein fights the initial single leg attempt and the two pummel for position. After failing to break Elias’s grip, Zein is finally able to slip out and grab a waistlock. Elias quickly breaks the hold and puts Zein right back against the fence. The Australian scores a couple knees, but Elias keeps attempting the takedown. The two reverse positions a few times and score a couple strikes on the inside, but Elias’s persistence finally pays off and he scores the takedown. He can’t hold Zein down, though, and the two scramble back against the fence. Elias reaches for another single leg, but Zein prevents him from finishing. Again, the Canadian’s tenacity works as he finally gets deep on Zein’s hips and slams the Australian to the ground. With 30 seconds left in the round, Zein rises back to his feet, but he’s quickly slammed right back to the mat. Elias takes top position and is ready to attack as the bell rings to end the round.
Round Two
Zein comes out aggressive and opens the round with a Superman elbow strike. Elias avoids it and forces the action against the fence once more. This time around, Elias wastes little time jockeying for position and scores a double leg takedown. Zein tries to work different angles from his guard and lock up a submission, but Elias smothers every single attempt. As Zein reaches for a kimura, Elias takes the opportunity to pass to half guard. He’s unable to capitalize as the Zein uses the brief opening to climb back to his feet. As they fight for position, Elias secures a front headlock and snaps his opponent back to the mat. He moves from full mount then to side control, but doesn’t really mount any offense. Zein slides out and even takes Elias’s back. Zein tries to finish the rear naked choke, but he’s doesn’t have the hooks in deep enough. Elias shrugs him off, moves to side mount and scores a couple short elbows and body punches. Zein

Elias clearly wins the decision. Cote credits Elias’s pace and conditioning as the key to victory. Coach Noke blames Zein’s lack of experience and his inability to capitalize on opportunities. Elias is quite proud of himself and claims he was able to do “whatever I wanted to do.” We quickly move to the fight announcement which will feature Team Canada’s Chad Laprise against Team Australia’s Chris Indich. Cote calls Chris “not very mobile” and thinks that he has no chance of taking down Chad. Noke hints at a not so friendly rivalry between the tow fighters and is happy Chris we’ll be able to get his hands on Chad.
The episode wraps up with a preview into next week. Does Team Canada continue their dominance? Who is the Team Australia mystery coach? On a scale from 1-10, how awesome are didgeridoos? Find out this and more next week on The Ultimate Fighter!
Season at a Glance:
Team Canada
Welterweights
Olivier Aubin-Mercier
Matthew Desroches
Kajan Johnson (First-round submission win over Brendan O'Reilly in episode 1)
Chad Laprise
Middleweights
Luke Harris
Nordine Taleb
Elias Theodorou (1-0, decision victory over Zein
Sheldon Westcott
Team Australia
Welterweights
Chris Indich
Jake Matthews
Brendan O’Reilly (Lost to Kajan Johnson via first-round submission in episode 1)
Richard Walsh
Middleweights
Vik Grujic
Daniel Kelly
Tyler Manawaroa
Zein Saliba
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