The Ultimate Fighter 3 Thread

[LWPD]

It's that time again! Tonight it's the 2 hour blockbuster (starting at 10 PM EST) that will set the TUF 3 Finals for both Middleweight & Light Heavyweight. Look for Herman/Singer to be a grudge match filled with bad blood as on tonight's episode Herman 'urinates' on Singer's gear a few days before their fight!

Courtesy of Wrestling Observer

Tonight is a two-hour Ultimate Fighter featuring the three remaining semifinals and the match-ups for the 6/24 finals special live from Las Vegas. Matches are:

*Ed Herman vs. Rory Singer - winner meets Kendall Grove for the championship

*Michael Bisping vs. Ross Pointon

*Josh Haynes vs. Jesse Forbes

Looking at these match-ups, this season turned out as expected. Ratings were much higher due to Tito Ortiz and Ken Shamrock. But the quality of fighters is by far the lowest yet.

LWPD (I'm going with Haynes, Bisping & Herman)

[Darth Turkish]

I think Bisping is pretty decent- a little time and he'll be really good.

I agree that this season does not have the best guys. Given a chance and not wanting to come back? Please- you go there to fight on the big show. I respect Ross for picking it up.

Season 1 guys were the best so far. Griffin is a tough, tough kid, and Diego, all personal feelings aside, is the most talents kid to step foot on TUF.

[LWPD]

Now that the show is over I have to say Tito Ortiz did a tremendous job as a Coach. He drilled his team in a way that improved their conditioning and chose assistant coaches that helped to make his guys better all around fighters. He respected them as individuals and the show ended with the guys thanking him and appreciating his mentorship. A great job by Tito that sees him exit TUF 3 with more respect and star power than ever before.

The Ultimate Fighter 3 Finale: Live Saturday 6/24 9 PM EST

Sam Stout Vs. Kenny Florian
Michael Bisping Vs. Josh Haynes
Kendall Grove Vs. Ed Herman
Keith Jardine Vs. Wilson Gouveia
Ross Pointon Vs. Rory Singer
Danny Abbadi Vs. Kalib Starnes
Luigi Fioravanti Vs. Solomon Hutcherson
Jesse Forbes Vs. Matt Hamill
Wes Combs Vs. Mike Nickels

* Only the first 3 fights are guaranteed to air

LWPD (Dana White said it best when he labeled Ken Shamrock as a guy who's only goal was to 'hang out on TV for a few weeks and then get a fight with Tito'....he couldn't have cared less about the kids on his team which was reflected in the regression of their skill, conditioning and motivation levels while under his leadership)

[LWPD]

Courtesy of Wrestling Observer

Rory Singer Interview
Conducted by Jason Milloff on June 16, 2005

Question: What process did you have to go through in order to be selected for this season of “The Ultimate Fighter?”

Rory Singer: I was lucky enough to have met one of the show’s executive producers. We hit it off real well and she thought my personality would be a perfect fit for the show. We met when Spike TV sent a crew down to my gym in order to tape footage of Forest Griffin training for the Season 1 finale. The recommendation helped get my name noticed but I still had to turn in a resume and go through the tryouts.

Question: Can you give a brief summary of your relationship and history with Forest Griffin?

Rory Singer: Forest discovered me and my brother, Adam, working out at the University of Georgia around six years ago. He didn’t have any prior fighting experience but he was already in real good shape because he was training for a triathlon at that time. His body fat was around 12% while weighing 240 lbs. Forest fell in love with fighting right away. After a few months of training with us, he had his first amateur fight. He had about six amateur fights before making his pro debut against Dan Severn. Forest lived at my house and slept in my living room for about two years while we trained together. He continued to train with us all the way up to the Elvis Sinosic fight. Shortly thereafter, he decided moving to Las Vegas would benefit to his career. His sponsor, Xyience, has a training facility out there. That’s where he mainly trains now. Forest is still one of my closest friends. He still comes back to Georgia to visit his family in Augusta and all of us here in Athens.

Question: While the show was being taped, Tito Ortiz used some of that time to prepare for his fight against Forest Griffin. Were you uncomfortable being coached by Tito due to your friendship with Forest?

Rory Singer: No, not at all. I wanted to be on Tito’s team. I wanted the opportunity to train alongside Dean Lister and Saul Soliz. I don’t want this to come out wrong but I had to make this opportunity all about me. It wasn’t about Tito fighting Forest. It wasn’t about Tito fighting Ken Shamrock. I focused all my attention on improving as a fighter and competing for a UFC contract. A few days after Tito selected me I felt that I should bring the subject up and let him know where I stood. I let him know that I wasn’t there to spy or get involved in his business. I was there strictly for me and the opportunity to advance my career as a fighter. Tito was an excellent coach. He did a good job preparing us for our fights. We had our differences afterwards but I can’t complain about the training I received while I was there.

Question: How did you score the fight between Tito Ortiz and Forest Griffin?

Rory Singer: It was very close. I had the 1st round scored 10/8 for Tito. I think Forest did enough in the 2nd and 3rd rounds to win both 10/9. I had it as a draw but I can’t really argue with anyone who scored it for Tito. Forest will be the first one to tell you that he did just enough to lose that fight. I know he wishes that he let his hands go more during that fight. When you’re up against a legendary fighter like Tito Ortiz in his own backyard, you have to pretty much stop the fight in order to win. If they ever have a rematch, I think Forest wins hands down.

Question: What are your thoughts concerning the comments Tito Ortiz made after your semifinal fight against Ed Herman?

Rory Singer: Tito made reference to me having a lot of tools but thought I could mentally defeat myself. I can’t fault him for making those comments because that’s something I already knew. I did feel like he abandoned me after I loss the fight. It made me question some of his motives for winning. Was it about us winning as fighters or him beating Ken Shamrock as a coach? I fought hard and felt like I was left out to dry afterwards.

After the fight was over he gathered the team together and told them not be like me. That’s adding insult to injury. If anyone felt like they failed and let someone down it was me feeling like I let myself down. I felt terrible afterwards. He didn’t need to reprimand me in front of everyone. Tito was lecturing me before I even got to the dressing room. I hadn’t even been checked out by the doctor yet. Maybe he didn’t care about me as much as he was letting on. It just didn’t seem like the appropriate way to handle things and it left a real bad taste in my mouth.

Question: What concerns did you have leading up to your fights against Solomon Hutcherson and Ed Herman?

Rory Singer: The editing made me look real nervous before each of my fights. I had my concerns but I was mentally and physically ready before each of those fights. I was real confident going into my fight with Solomon. The only thing that worried me was the possibility of getting stuck on the bottom. I didn’t want him laying on me the whole fight and picking up the decision.

I have real strong Jui Jitsu and standup skills. Wrestling would be the area I need the most work on. I’ve lost some fights in the past but I don’t feel like I have ever been beaten up. I started to panic when Ed got on top of me and started working his ground & pound. I definitely didn’t want to be in that position. Looking back on the situation, I realize it wasn’t a big deal. If I would have just worked from the bottom like I am capable of doing, everything would have been fine. It bothers me that I let him break me down like that. What I anticipated was a lot worse than what was actually inflicted. It made me aware that I am more than capable of defending myself against a strong wrestler without taking too much punishment. Ed is a great fighter. He beat me on that particular day but I definitely feel like I’m in the same league as him.

Question: Was there anything misleading about the way you were portrayed during the show?

Rory Singer: I am definitely not the neat freak that everyone made me out to be. It was just a matter of not wanting to live in complete filth. There was food being left out and bugs were crawling all over the place. People were actually getting sick because of it. After three or four weeks of nothing changing, I just gave up on commenting about it.

Question: Is there bad blood between you and any of the other cast members from this season?

Rory Singer: I maintained good friendships with Ed Herman and Josh Haynes. I talk to Mike Stine and Noah Inhafer on occasion. I really didn’t care for a lot of the guys on the show. Maybe it was just the situation we were all put in. We were placed in an environment where we had to live with and compete against each other for six weeks. I try to keep things cordial when we run into each other. I’m just glad to be home where I am surrounded by positive people that care about me.

Question: You have an upcoming fight against Ross Pointon on the TUF 3 finale card. How are you preparing for this matchup?

Rory Singer: I’m not doing anything too different. I want to make sure my cardio is strong. I’m lifting weights and working on my standup, wrestling, and Jui Jitsu. Ross is going to come out looking to strike. I know he has been training in Dallas with Saul Soliz for the last 6 weeks. I have a lot of respect for Ross as a fighter but I do feel he is one dimensional. I plan on dictating the pace of the action and want to control where the fight takes place within the Octagon.

Question: Several fighters from this season of TUF will be competing on the 6/24/06 finale card. You spent about six weeks living and training alongside these men. Can I get your predictions for the matchups involving this season’s cast?

Rory Singer: Sure.

Question: Danny Abaddi vs. Kalib Starnes?

Rory Singer: I obviously have to choose Kalib. He has more experience and is an all around great fighter. He was one the best middleweights on the show this season. Kalib is just too big and strong for Danny to handle and he pretty much outmatches him in every area.

Question: Solomon Hutcherson vs. Luigi Fioravanti?

Rory Singer: Luigi trains with the American Top Team which is a very tough school. I’m friends with Charles McCarthy and a lot of the other fighters on that team. Ricardo Liborio is an excellent coach. Luigi is a game fighter who has taken fights on short notice before. He was able to hang in there with Chris Leben not that long ago. Because of his affiliation with ATT, I’m going to have to pick him over Solomon.

Question: Matt Hamill vs. Jesse Forbes?

Rory Singer: Matt is definitely the stronger wrestler. I know he has been training with Tito Ortiz up at Big Bear. I’m sure he has been working on his standup and ground & pound. I have to give the edge to Matt.

Question: Mike Nickels vs. Wes Combs?

Rory Singer: I don’t know too much about Wes Combs. I know he has had some success fighting for the “King of the Cage” promotion. I wouldn’t be able to give an educated prediction on that fight.

Question: Mike Bisping vs. Josh Haynes?

Rory Singer: Josh is one of my good friends to this day. I know he has his hands full with this fight. Over the past four months, Team Quest has been getting him ready and fixing any holes he might have in his game. My heart is telling me to pick Josh.

Question: Ed Herman vs. Kendall Groves?

Rory Singer: That is going to be a really good fight. Kendall has a lot of heart and has really gotten himself into great shape. He is well-rounded and always comes to fight. Ed is back to his normal routine training with Team Quest so he will be prepared. I think Ed is going to be able to take Kendall down and strike from the top. The only way I see Kendall winning is if he can keep the fight standing. Kendall might be able to stand back up but Ed will probably keep working his takedowns and win by ground & pound.

Question: Before the show began, you were pursuing a degree in Nursing. A lot of the fighters who have appeared on TUF have gone on to compete full-time for the UFC. Do you plan on continuing your education or will you focus more on your MMA career?

Rory Singer: I’m definitely going to finish my education at some point. School will always be there for me but the opportunity to compete in the UFC has a limited window. Some doors have been opened for me and I want to see where they lead. In two months from now, if everything is going well, I might decide to take another year off from school. The plan right now is to continue fighting full-time.

Question: You and your brother Adam co-own and operate “The Hardcore Gym”, located in Athens, Georgia. Are there any fighters affiliated with the gym that we should keep an eye out for?

Rory Singer: David Mewborn is a new member of our fight team that I have very high hopes for. He is currently at 205 lbs. but we are going to get him down to 185 lbs. I think he has all the tools needed to be a champion. Brian Bowles and Stephan Ledbetter are two top prospects that I think you will be hearing about in the future as well.

Question: Thank you for your time. Do you have anything you would like to say in closing?

Rory Singer: I want to thank all the fans who have stood by me. After I lost in the semifinals, it really meant a lot when I saw there were fans out there who continued supporting me. I’ll be fighting Ross Pointon at “The Joint” in Las Vegas, Nevada on 6/24/06. Hopefully, I will be picking up my first UFC victory that night.

*Rory Singer would like to thank “iFight Athletics” (ifight.tv) and FightResource.com for their support and sponsorship.

[LWPD]

Tonight is the night. TUF 3 Finals: Spike TV 9 PM EST

Weigh In Video::

tinyurl.com/z845e

Courtesy of Pinnacle Sports
Betting Lines Snapshot

Sam Stout -135

vs.

Kenny Florian +125

Stout made a name for himself in March when he defeated highly regarded Spencer Fisher. Stout brings quick hands to the octagon as he has won six of his nine fights with strikes. Stout has trained with Georges St. Pierre for this fight which should result in an improved ground game for him.

Florian is BJJ black belt who made a name for himself in the first season of the Ultimate Fighter when he made it to the finals before being stopped with strikes by the much bigger Diego Sanchez. Florian has a lot to prove here as a win will put him in a 155lbs. title fight and a loss would result in near certain obscurity.

Sands Says: I like Florians elbows and I think that if he can keep the fight close he will be able to sneak in some shots which may lead to a stoppage. Stout is on a mission though and training with GSP is going to make a huge difference. I think these two are going to try and show the new UFC fans what the lightweight division is all about.

Michael Bisping -500

vs.

Josh Haynes +450

This fight may be huge for the future of Mixed Martial Arts in Europe. If Bisping wins this fight he will be the poster boy for the UFC's expansion in to Europe during 2007. Bisping has a tremendous amount of talent and looked to be a step above the rest of his castmates during the entire show.

Haynes is a tough guy who will stand in front of you and trade. He is short for a light heavyweight at 5'9 but has a big frame as he fought at heavyweight in the past. To be successful in this fight he is going to have to keep the fight standing and hope that he can catch Bisping off guard with one his haymakers.

Sands Says: Bisping should dominate this fight. I look for him to come out and please the crowd with some stand up before the fight hits the ground and he submits Haynes. This will be Bispings chance to shine. Haynes does have a punchers chance though so an upset is not out of the equation.

Ed Herman -190

vs.

Kendall Grove +180

Ed Herman was one of the last fighters picked on the show and let us know about it every chance that he got. He impressed many with his take no prisoners attitude and came out of the show looking like a future force in the UFC.

Kendall Grove may turn out to be a phenom at this weight class. At 6'6 he is a mismatch for most guys in the and his game has continued to improve as he gets older. At only 23 you can attribute many of his losses to youth and I look for him to come in to this fight more prepared than he ever has,

Sands Says: This may be the Forrest Griffin/Stephan Bonnar fight of this season. Herman is going to to try and take off Groves head which may hurt him more than it helps him. Grove is going to have to work his jab and wear Herman down. I will be very surprised if there are not fireworks in this one.

Keith Jardine -405

vs.

Wilson Gouveia +365

Keith Jardine shocked the world at the last Ultimate Fight Night when he gave Stephan Bonnar all that he could handle in one of the closest decisions in company history. Jardine brings a well rounded game to the octagon and he may need to utilize all his skills in this one. This will be a huge test for Jardine as expectations of him have never been so high.

Gouveia is a Brazilian Jit-Jitsu expert who loves to brawl. Although he is better off trying to get the fight to the ground, Gouveia loves to stand in the middle and slug it out. A win in this fight would give Gouveia instant credibility in the division

Sands Says: Jardine goes in to this fight as a huge favorite and it will be interesting to see how he responds to being the guy who is supposed to win. Gouveia may be a decent underdog play if you think that he can take Jardine down and submit him.

LWPD (should be a good card...I'd go with Bisping and Jardine with Herman/Groves being a war...but I'm pulling for a Kendall victory)

[gatekeeper]

Great to see Bisping win. This guy is just plain awesome. Can't wait to see him in the real UFC.

Couldn't believe that the judges scored against Ed Herman. I thought for the most part, he dominated. I couldn't believe any judge scored the bout for "The Spider."

Herman was in control and had the spider on the mat for most of the fight. I don't see how the judges scored it for Kendall Grove.

But glad to see both guys get contracts.

[LWPD]

Great show from top to bottom last night. I had it 29-28 Herman as he controlled the Octagon for most of Rounds 1 & 3...but I could see where Kendall may have been given the third due to aggression and leaving the lasting impression that he was closer to finishing. Bisping has a very bright future and past TUF contestants Jardine and Florian have really come into their own. An outstanding performance by all involved.

Courtesy of Wrestling Observer

Preliminary results:

Mike Nickels b Wes Combs via choke in the first round in an upset

Matt Hamill b Jesse Forbes via ref stoppage in the first round

Luigi Fiorvanti b Solomon Hutcherson via knockout in the first round

Kalib Starnes b Danny Abaddi via first round choke

Rory Singer b Ross Pointon in 44 seconds with a triangle

Main Card

Keith Jardine vs. Wilson Gouveia is the first TV match.
Gouveia dominated the stand-up, mostly with low kicks and opened Jardine up for a few punches. He also scored a takedown late to take the first round. Jardine has a bulleye above the knee on his lead leg.

Second round was the opposite of the first. Jardine scored on a lot of leg kicks and opened Gouveia up for punches. Gouveia tired in the middle of the round. There was a time out for a brief time out when Jardina kicked Gouveia low. It's 19-19 going into round three.

Jardine won the third round. Gouveia did well early in the round, but Jardine connected with a lot of punches and dominated the last few minutes, also getting a takedown with some ground and pound. Good fight, a lot of fans gave it a standing ovation when it was over, but not all. Jardine bled a lot from his nose but I've got him 29-28.

All three judges have it 29-28 for Jardine.

Randy Couture will be inducted into the Hall of Fame later tonight.

We had one of those quotes of the year tonight. Sticky Jones, who is the star of Spike's "Blade" series, which debuts Wednesday, playing the Wesley Snipes role, was talking about how UFC was going to eat boxing alive. He then said, "All they need is a Don King." I'm sure Dana loved that one on his own show.

The first match was good, but we're an hour into the show and have only had one match. The show feels as slow as molasses.

Ed Herman vs. Kendall Grove is up next. Grove seems like the big crowd favorite.

Herman controlled it, with almost all the match on the ground. Herman did ground & pound. Grove went for an armbar early and a weak triangle late, but Herman was never in real trouble. Herman scored with a lot of strong elbows late in the ground. This was close to a 10-8 round, but Herman didn't do quite enough damage even though he was totally dominant.

One hell of a round two. Crowd is going crazy for Grove. Both guys are exhausted. First part was Grove on the bottom going for triangles and armbars coming close. Late it was Herman nearly getting a triangle. I'd give the round to Grove overall due to more damage, but Herman came back great at the end. 19-19.

Third round was even better than the second. Herman was dominant, got Grove's back, went for a choke and later an armbar. Grove escaped, got Herman's back and over the last 30 seconds was working a choke. Herman escaped with about 20 seconds, and Grove was getting him back in just as the bell sounds. This is a razor thin round. Herman had more advantage time but I think Grove's submission was closer to winning. I'll go with Grove but a draw is probably the fair verdict. With a draw, because there must be a winner, there will be an overtime, but judges are encouraged not to vote draw. Excellent ground fight. All three had it 29-28 for Grove. I will say I was the only person here who had Grove winning, and everyone here was rooting for Grove and thought Herman really won.

Dana White just gave Herman a six-figure contract. With the money they've taken in on these last PPV shows, those decisions are a lot easier to make.

Dana White and Joe Rogan presented Couture with a Hall of Fame plaque. Rogan noted that it says something because more fighters will say Couture is their personal hero and that MMA could never have a better role model. Couture was in tears at what Rogan said.

Michael Bisping vs. Josh Haynes is next.

Haynes lasted the round. He was close to being out from a knee, but threw a knee to the chin while Haynes was down, which is illegal. John McCarthy deducted a point. Bisping got Haynes' back twice late for chokes but Haynes did two good escapes. With the penalty point, it's actually even 9-9.

Second round was Bisping totally overwhelm Haynes. Haynes did escape one submission after another, different types of armlocks and chokes. Finally he just overwhelmed Bisping with punches and knees that put him down and threw a few more punches on the ground and it was stopped late in the round. Haynes lost but outperformed all expectations.

They just announced Jens Pulver returning to the 155 pound division.

Sam Stout vs. Kenny Florian is the main event. The reason this was the main event is they want to establish they can put 155 pounders on top.

Stout bragged Florian could never take him down. It took seconds for him to be wrong. Florian took him down, got a full mount, got his back and then got a choke and it was over.

LWPD (here are post fight interviews with Light Heavyweight Winner Michael Bisping and a very pleased UFC President Dana White...a great night for the sport)

[Darth Turkish]

I was very impressed with the card as well.

Grove/Herman was the best fight I have seen in a long, long time. It had good stand up, good ground work and submissions and several near attempts. I thought each guy had tapped at least once. Better than the Bonnar/Griffin slugfest. I was surprised at the decision for Gorve, as I thought that Herman was the more aggressive one, but I had no problem at all with Grove winning. Dana did the right thing by giving Herman a contract.. He will get a lot of mielage out of both of these two.

I like Keith Jardine- He is a tough dude. Better outcome than the horrible judging during the Bonnar/Jardine fight.

I was wrong about Josh Haynes- he showed a great deal of heart and did not give up one bit. I really figured Bisping was going to walk through him. I am glad to say I was wrong. He is going to do much better at 170.

Bisping is good- very tough, has a good killer instinct, and likes what he is doing. Charasmatic too. I would like to see him against so established talent.

Kenny Florian is so much better at 155. I knew that Sam Stout was done when he turned his back. Florisn still needs a better nickname than "KenFlo".

Lil Evil will eat Florian.

[pikemojo]

I actually felt that Grove was far more aggressive and had more serious submission attempts and had at least 2 really strong knees to Herman's midsection that you could feel the impact.

I wasn't impressed with Jardine during TUF but I am quickly growing to like him.

Bisping picked Josh Haynes apart and really showed how truly talented he is.

Florian also looked reallly impressive.

Mat Hammmil is also really impressing me. He is a phenomenal wrestler and is showing that he is turning into a good ground and pound guy. He is really far from being at UFC level but he seems to be a quick learner and has all the physical tools to make it at some point. I am sure Tito will continue train him and with that how can he not make it big.

[habbalah]

Just my quick personal thoughts. Ken Flo is being over estimated just a little at the moment. I'm glad people relize Bisping will be one of the best (some day) and don't think he is already. Matt Ham. could be ready for the big show. I wonder if they'll build up a match between him and Bisping in due time.
I think Jardine got the wink and the nodd at the final this time. It was close and I think they handed it over to the fighter who's done more time with the ufc. That's kinda funny sence that's what screwed Jardine last time. Can't wait for U. fight night 5 now.

[Mad Dog]

It's great to see the lightweights back in the UFC.

[LWPD]

Courtesy of Kokonut Pundits

An Interview with Matt Hamill

Matt Hamill: How are you mike?

Kokonut Pundits: Hey, Matt. Nice talking to you. and congrats and beating the crap out of Jesse.

Matt Hamill: Yeah, I was disappointed that I didn;t make it to the finals.

Kokonut Pundits: Yeah...that's a real shame.

Matt Hamill: But I was happy about my performance that i beat jesse. I'll be back.

Kokonut Pundits: I was happy that I was able to watch live tv in the last 12 minutes of the show. So, where are you now Matt?

Matt Hamill: I'm at upstate NY in Utica. I promised my daughter that I will be here for a while she gave me a special card for late father day. I haven't seen my daughter for five weeks due to training. It was a hell of a training at Big Bear Camp.

Kokonut Pundits: Aw, how nice!

Matt Hamill: She know what I do for living.

Kokonut Pundits: How old is your daughter?

Matt Hamill: She's 5

Kokonut Pundits: Nice.

Matt Hamill: I'm looking at your blog. My ex wife mention about you.

Kokonut Pundits: How did you ex wife find out about my blog?

Matt Hamill: From her deaf friends.

Kokonut Pundits: Of course. Oh, by the way, I also want to congratulate you on beating Mike Nickels. Can you tell me some of the things that happened during the filming of TUF3?

Matt Hamill: The show had some interesting twists and turns but it was a great experience for me and I wouldn't give it up for anything else. I made it to the semi-finals and won. But I wasn't allowed to move on to the finals because yes, I got injured during a practice session where I hurt my elbow but still fought in the semi-finals. I fell into "unconciousness" at some point during the fight and don't remember it at all, not even winning. I arrived to the hospital after the fight where I was in a "semi-coma" for 13 hours. They didn't say that on the show. When I was released from the hospital, I still had no idea what had happened and I didn't know I had been eliminated until I came back to the practice session. It was a big upset for me. I was ready and willing to fight in the finals. I was injured and I did win the semi-finals, even with my injury. If the doctor had okayed me to fight in the finals I believe I would be holding the contract in my hands right now instead of Mike Bisping.

Kokonut Pundits: But you don't remember the fight with Mike Nickels at all??

Matt Hamill: Nope.

Kokonut Pundits: Do you remember saying "I'll be back" when they put you in the ambulance?

Matt Hamill: No

Kokonut Pundits: Wow!

Matt Hamill: I couldn't believe I can't remember. I woke up the hospital. I thought I was in heaven.

Kokonut Pundits: Boy... that's scary, Matt. Not remembering.

Matt Hamill: Yeah rise from the dead.

Kokonut Pundits: What was the last thing you remembered before fighting Mike Nickels?

Matt Hamill: I was in warm up room with Saul and Tito.

Kokonut Pundits: Wow.

Matt Hamill: It was embarrassing. I didn't do well on the show after I fought Mike. One arm, no takedown and alot of dizziness.

Kokonut Pundits: You did well Matt with Nickels. One thing you have to remember is that you bashed him with one good arm. It may have been sloppy but you were preserving your injured arm.

Matt Hamill: Did you know that i was in a "coma" for 13 hours a week before I fought Mike? Thats why Danny gave me sandwiches. I couldn't walk good. I threw up everyday. UFC wanted to send me home but I refused. After Josh hit my jaw every fighter was happy and found my weakness.

Kokonut Pundits: That took guts for refusing to go home. So, you were not in a real coma but lost consciousness in a way?

Matt Hamill: Yes. 13 hours. They didn't show all of it. I didn't show up to watch Rory against Dagger guy fight.

Kokonut Pundits: So, Danny woke you up from heavy sleep?

Matt Hamill: Yeah its weird.

Kokonut Pundits: How did that injury happen?

Matt Hamill: It happened during spar when I front head lock with Josh. And his elbow hit my jaw.

Kokonut Pundits: Is that why you were so tired out after fighting Nickels and went to the hospital?

Matt Hamill: Yes.

Kokonut Pundits: Now it was Josh that hit you during the spar, and not Kendall? Right? Kendall did a "sucker punch" with his foot. Right?

Matt Hamill: It was Josh.

Kokonut Pundits: But did Kendall also hit you in the face with his foot like a "sucker punch" ??

Matt Hamill: Yes, kick to my neck but the jaw was from Josh.

Kokonut Pundit: Oh, I see. That clears it up. So, you were throwing up for how many days after you got hit by Josh in the jaw?

Matt Hamill: I was voitiming after Josh til after the fight with Mike Nickels. It got better after the hospital.

Kokonut Pundits: On the show, lot of the guys did jokes on each other. Did they play jokes on you, too? I remember the steak scene where they hid your steak in the oven.

Matt Hamill: They were playing around. Its cool.

Kokonut Pundits: No mean jokes?

Matt Hamill: ha ha. I knew they took the steak.

Kokonut Pundits: What is your favorite meat?

Matt Hamill: Chicken.