Episode 7 opens with the fight selection: Junk vs. Mitrione.  That leaves Wessel and me as the final fight.  It was a feeling of euphoria for me, as I finally knew I was going to fight, but more on me next week. 

Back to the first fight selection.  First reaction, advantage Team Rampage.  Scott Junk is an experienced fighter with excellent wrestling and a brutal ground and pound attack, while Matt is more of a standup fighter looking to exchange punches.  It is a great matchup for our side.

It is unbelievable how much Rashad and Rampage dislike one another.  Each episode there is an on-screen blow up and the tension made it seem like at any point blows would be exchanged.  I am sure I can speak for each guy in that house (and MMA fans) when I say that this fight NEEDS to happen.  I am disappointed that it may not ever happen.  C’mon Rampage … Get back into the octagon. 

Back to the episode.

As usual, Mitrione brought drama into the TUF house.  He did an outstanding job of rubbing everyone the wrong way.  Besides maybe Brendan Schaub, it was really Mitrione vs. everyone else in the house. 

Even before getting into the house, I was aware of his antics.  During tryouts back before the show, Matt and I got to talking and exchanged numbers.  He seemed like a likeable enough guy and we exchanged texts every now and again.  Huge mistake. 

It wasn’t before long that he was broadcasting to every potential cast member that I didn’t like to get punched in the head.  Although true, it is part of the sport and it comes with the territory.  Who likes to get punched in the head?! 

Cameras don’t lie.  The guy is an ##### and a terrible teammate.  Between the note about Wessel not wanting to fight Junk, to his training shenanigans with Madsen, and then flexing on his coach, it is easy to see why he was so disliked.  In the end, only one fighter is crowned The Ultimate Fighter, but you still have to respect your teammates and each person in that house.  Matt seemed to always be angling for his own benefit. 

Back to Scott Junk.  Scott was an unbelievable team captain.  I have never met anyone who enjoys the sport of mixed martial arts more than Scott.  This is how he makes a living and he would absolutely fight for free. 

I remember a conversation that we had during the early stages of the show that stuck with me.  He told me that he would love to fight me in the finale.  It was not out of disdain or dislike, but rather just love for his job.  He wanted to step into the octagon with me and just bang, because he felt I would be a great opponent.  I took that as the greatest of compliments. 

And let me tell you, that boy can cook.  Between him and Kimbo, we were always taken care of in the house.

On fight day both fighters seemed ready to go.  Matt seemed excited to finally exercise his demons, while Scott seemed calm and collected.  As I mentioned earlier, Scott was the favorite in my eyes. 

The bell rings and the fighters exchange blows.  Despite his lack of experience, Mitrione does own very powerful hands to go along with an unusual fighting stance.  He stuns Junk right off the bat and I don’t think he ever fully recovered.  He shot in for a few take downs, but Mitrione was able to block them.  End of round 1. 

At the beginning of round 2, it is easy to see both fighters are gassed.  Matt from all the punches he threw and Scott from absorbing those punches.  Not much action but Scott does score a takedown and controls Matt with his wrestling and ground and pound, but for some reason the ref stands them up.  From that point on it wasn’t much of a fight and Matt wins by decision.  All the pressure falls on me now to get Team Rampage a win.

Through the magic of television, many people don’t realize this, but I was actually in the locker room getting ready to fight during Rampage’s explosion following the loss.  I fought on the same day. 

All I heard was this thunderous noise that made it seem like everyone was fighting.  Rampage came into the locker room pissed and sweating.  I walk out and see the door.  It was insane.  It was a stressful situation, considering it was my first-ever fight in the UFC.  It messed a little with my pre-fight mind state. 

We will see if I was able to get over it next week during episode 8.