The series was officially announced by the UFC in May 2012.[3] The nameThe Smashes is a play on the 130-year-old cricket rivalry between England and Australia called "The Ashes."[1] The UFC held open tryouts during June 2012. The casting call was forLightweight andWelterweight fighters who are at least 21 years old and have a minimum of two wins in three professional fights.[4]
On 12 July 2012, Dana White announced that the coaches for the season would beRoss Pearson andGeorge Sotiropoulos to represent the UK and Australia respectively.[5]
All 16 fighters moved into the house, based in Australia, and were introduced toDana White and their respective coaches.
Team Australia won the coin toss, meaning they got to pick the first fight; however, Team UK gained the right to state which weight class would compete.
Team UK's Michael Pastou sustained a bicep injury in sparring and was later told that the injury would most likely need surgery
Benny Alloway defeated Valentino Petrescu via TKO (punches) at 0:42 of round 2.
Episode 2: Freak or Unique
The fighters got a surprise visit from UFC Heavyweight ChampionJunior dos Santos.
Team UK's Michael Pastou was forced out of the competition due to his bicep injury, and was replaced byBrendan Loughnane.
During training Team UK's Colin Fletcher decided to climb the scaffolding and put a fake mustache and eyepatch on George Sotiropoulos poster.
With Team Australia in control, George puts Ben Wall against Colin Fletcher.
Colin Fletcher defeated Ben Wall via unanimous decision.
Episode 3: Wasabi
Team Australia retaliate to Team UK by cutting out the head of the Ross Pearson poster and sticking it on the body ofArianny Celeste.
Ross Pearson took Team UK outside to train to get in touch with nature in the rain.
Colin Fletcher and Ben Wall are persuaded to snort lines of Wasabi and Peri Peri Sauce.
With Team UK in control, Pearson puts Luke Newman against Robert Whittaker.
Robert Whittaker defeated Luke Newman via KO at 0:19 of round 1.
Episode 4: Pick Me!
Team Australia tackle the outdoors by undertaking a long jog on the beach and doing some uphill sprints.
Team Australia are fed up with Team UK's lack of cleanliness.
With Team Australia in control, George puts Richie Vaculik against Norman Parke.
Colin Fletcher does naked laps around the tennis court.
The pranks get out of hand when Team Australia effortlessly put training mats against Team UK's changing room door. Team UK respond by tying a bucket full of coffee, water and honey to the doorknob so that it is poured onto an unsuspecting victim. Team Australia get back at them by pouring a bucket of smelly water onto Team UK's couches.
Norman Parke defeats Richie Vaculik by unanimous decision.
Episode 5: Fight for Your Family
Colin Fletcher defaces a poster of George Sotiropoulos in the house.
Team Australia are not impressed with the house antics from Team UK which include food fights and more naked runs.
With Team UK in control, Pearson puts Bola Omoyele against Manny Rodriguez.
Luke Newman has thoughts of leaving the show and returning home as he can't train with his current medical suspension. With his friend Bola Omoyele due to fight next, he needs convincing from his teammates and coaches before finally deciding to stay on and support his team.
Manny Rodriguez defeats Bola Omoyele vianorth-south choke at 4:07 of round 1.
Episode 6: True Warrior
Team Australia's Manny Rodriguez was forced out of the competition after suffering a fractured leg in his previous bout, and was replaced by James Vainikolo.
With Team Australia in control, George puts Patrick Iodice againstBrendan Loughnane.
Colin Fletcher dresses as the new replacement for Team Australia.
Brad Scott defeats Xavier Lucas by unanimous decision.
Episode 8: Phone Home
The final lightweight quarter-final is announced, Grant Blackler vs. Mike Wilkinson.
Dean Amasinger (a UK assistant coach) walked in on an Australian training session to find a book with valuable info on all members of Team UK. Sotiropoulos begins ordering Amasinger to leave, Pearson then walks in to defend Amasinger.
The book is then revealed as stolen by members of Team Australian and is given back to the Team UK coaches.
It is announced that James Vainikolo will not fight a member of Team UK, but instead, would fight Xavier Lucas, which angers UK welterweight Valentino Petrescu.
Dana White scolds Team UK for using a cell phone to call home, and send text messages of fight results.
Vainikolo could not make weight and the fight was called off, causing Xavier Lucas to move into the semifinals.
Mike Wilkinson defeats Grant Blackler via Submission of round 1.
Episode 9: Easy Route
Brad Scott defeats Benny Alloway via split decision after 3 rounds
Episode 10: Smash it UP
Norman Parke defeats Brendan Loughane via unanimous decision after 3 rounds
Episode 11: Friendly Fire
Robert Whittaker defeats Xavier Lucas via TKO (punches) in round 1
Episode 12: Little and Large
Colin Fletcher defeats Richie Vaculik via submission (keylock) in round 2
*James Vainikolo was due to fight Xavier Lucas for a spot in the next round to replace the injured Manny Rodriguez. Vainikolo did not make the weight therefore Lucas advanced to the semi-finals.
The event featured the final bouts ofThe Ultimate Fighter: The Smashes.[11][12] This was the firstUFC event held inQueensland, and the first event inAustralia to be held outsideNew South Wales.[13]
Joe Martinez was the ring announcer in what would be his UFC octagon debut.[14]
Australia'sGeorge Sotiropoulos and Britain'sRoss Pearson headlined the card in a five-round main event. The pair had been coaching opposite one another on the hit reality TV series The Ultimate Fighter: The Smashes.[9][15]
A bout between Ednaldo Oliveira andKrzysztof Soszynski was originally scheduled for this event.[18] However, Oliveira was forced out of the bout with an injury and Sosynski was pulled from the event as well.[19]
Eddie Mendez was expected to make his promotional debut at the event against Nick Penner. However, Mendez pulled out of the bout citing a shoulder injury and was replaced by fellow newcomerCody Donovan.[20]
Hacran Dias was expected to faceChad Mendes at the event. However just days before the event, Dias pulled out of the bout citing a shoulder injury and was replaced by promotional newcomerYaotzin Meza.[21]
^The Ultimate Fighter: The Smashes Welterweight Finals.
^The Ultimate Fighter: The Smashes Lightweight Finals.
^Originally ruled a Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) victory for Beltran, result was overturned due to testing positive for a banned substance.
Team Australia
Team UK
