• TUF Smashes

Team UK's Bradley Scott makes TUF Smashes final

Ross Pearson has a man in the TUF finals © Getty Images

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Team UK's Bradley Scott is the first to secure a place on the UFC on FX: Sotiropoulos v Pearson fight card, taking victory in a three-round war against Australia's Benny Alloway during episode nine of TUF: Smashes - UK v Australia.

After three intense rounds inside the Octagon, Alloway came agonisingly close to glory over the Brit, losing a split decision. The result devastated the Aussie from the Gold Coast, who said in defeat "it hurts like hell to lose, but that's the way it goes in this game. You've just got to try and come back better."

Prior to the fight, Team UK's Mike Wilkinson was ruled out of finals contention following an injury sustained during training. An accidental poke in the eye left Wilkinson with a torn retina, requiring surgery.

His withdrawal paved the way for renowned Maroubra local Richie Vas to take his place in the semi-finals - a decision that disappointed Team UK coach, Ross Pearson.

Wilkinson's replacement was announced by UFC president Dana White, who revealed all semi-final match-ups after interviewing each of the finalists:

Welterweights
Bradley Scott (UK) v Benny Alloway (AUS)
Robert Whittaker (AUS) v Xavier Lucas (AUS)

Lightweights
Norman Parke (UK) v Brendan Loughnane (UK)
Colin Fletcher (UK) v Richie Vas (AUS)

The series resumes at a slightly later time next Thursday morning, November 22, at 2am on ESPN. In episode 10, George Sotiropoulos and Ross Pearson go head-to-head outside of the Octagon in the Coaches Challenge. Team UK's Norman Parke and Brendan Loughnane fight out the 'Battle of the Brits' in the first lightweight semi-final.

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