TUF Nations Finale Results: Patrick Cote Employs His Wrestling to Best Kyle Noke

Patrick Cote vs. Stephen Thompson Added to UFC 178

The Ultimate Fighter Nations Finale was all-Canadian for the competition stemming from the reality show, but there would be no such problems with the coaches’ fight, as Canadian Patrick Cote and Aussie Kyle Noke squared off in the co-main event on Wednesday night in Quebec City, Quebec.

Both 34-year-old fighters had been out of action for quite some time. Cote had been on the shelf for just over a year, while Noke hadn’t fought in more than a year and a half. Both men were also trying to get established in the UFC’s welterweight division.

Noke started strong, landing a variety of kicks to the legs and body of Cote, but Cote somehow found a way to get Noke on his back and work a ground and pound attack from inside Noke’s full guard.

The second round was particularly intense, Noke catching Cote early with a knee to the head, staggering him and following up with several punches. Cote survived to again get Noke to his back, chopping away with punches and elbows.

The final frame saw both men go back to the well, Noke trying to land kicks, while Cote would only throw hands and shoot for takedowns. They were in a stalemate for the better part of the round, but Cote finally caught a kick and put Noke on his back again inside the final two minutes of the fight.

Cote ground and pounded Noke for the majority of the remainder of the fight, opening a cut on the Aussie’s forehead in the final minute.

At the end of the day, it was Cote working his magic in the latter half of each round, winning the fight on the judges’ scorecards. It was unanimous with two judges scoring the fight 29-28 for Cote, while the third saw all three rounds in the Canadian’s favor.

“Wrestling has been always my weakness. I knew it,” said Cote after the fight. He showed that he has been working on his wrestling, however, as his takedowns are what set up the ground and pound that won him the fight.

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