TUF Nations Finale results, photos: Laprise outworks Aubin-Mercier for split

QUEBEC CITY – Chad Laprise is the first Canadian to win “The Ultimate Fighter.”

Laprise won “The Ultimate Fighter: Nations” in the reality show tournament’s welterweight bracket by outstriking a game Olivier Aubin-Mercier over three rounds.

The “TUF Nations” welterweight final was part of the main card of today’s TUF Nations Finale event at Colisee Pepsi in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. It aired on FOX Sports 1 following prelims on FOX Sports 1 and UFC Fight Pass.

The final scorecards were 29-28 and 30-27 in Laprise’s favor while one judge dissented for Aubin-Mercier with a 29-28 score.

Laprise, who defeated Chris Indich and Kajan Johnson to earn a spot in the reality show finals, was the busier fighter early on, waging a hit-and-run attack against grappling specialist Aubin-Mercier, whose early attempts at a takedown were unsuccessful.

Aubin-Mercier, who bested Jake Matthews and Richard Walsh prior to the finals, managed to get Laprise to the ground in the second frame and gave up position as he attempted a guillotine position. Laprise gamely scrambled out of danger and returned to his feet, stinging his opponent with a dig to the body.

Laprise turned up the tempo as Aubin-Mercier faded in the third frame, landing a variety of strikes and escaping after a well-timed takedown put him on his back.

Aubin-Mercier, whose four pro bouts all ended via submission, certainly wasn’t outgunned in the striking department. But Laprise was more accurate over 15 minutes and secured two of three judges scorecards to win the reality show tournament.

Despite telling MMAjunkie he would immediately drop to the lightweight division at the show’s conclusion, Laprise (8-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC) said post-fight that he would accept bouts at 155 or 170 pounds. He extends his unbeaten streak to eight while Aubin-Mercier (4-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC) suffers the first setback of his pro career following two amateur wins on the show.

Up-to-the-minute TUF Nations Finale results include:

• Chad Laprise def. Olivier Aubin-Mercier via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 30-27)
• Dustin Poirier def. Akira Corassani via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 0:42
• K.J. Noons def. Sam Stout via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 0:30
• Sarah Kaufman def. Leslie Smith via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• Ryan Jimmo def. Sean O’Connell via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 4:27
• George Roop def. Dustin Kimura via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 29-26)
• Mark Bocek def. Mike De La Torre via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
• Nordine Taleb def. Vik Grujic via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• Richard Walsh def. Chris Indich via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• Mitch Gagnon def. Tim Gorman via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

For complete coverage of the TUF Nations Finale, stay tuned to the UFC Events section of the site.

Mike Bohn contributed to this report on-site in Quebec City.