mama
23-09-2008, 13:49
http://www.stevallicadesigns.com/TQMMA/promo/bulletin_091808.jpg
Soszynski's TUF 8 Blog--Week 1
by Krzysztof Soszynski
TUF: The Beginning
I got the call. I flew to Vegas. I looked for a man holding the number 8. I was told three important rules: (1) don't bring anything with logos; (2) everything will be taken away (i.e. phone, wallet, passport, iPod); and (3) be within 5 lbs of your fight weight. Simple enough. The driver, who was a System of a Down fan, took me to the hotel where I would be held hostage until further notice. I could not leave my room under any circumstances-if I did, I would be off the show. This was not your typical Sunday.
I prepared for a long wait and got ready to relax and watch some TV. Twenty minutes later, there was a knock at the door and it was time to go. I was taken to the UFC training center to weigh in and came in 10 pounds over (see important rule #3). I tried to explain that being 10 pounds over is normal for me and it's a very easy cut. However, the producers would not have it. They must not have heard about my Freedom Fight experience (that's another story!) and so I had to cut the five pounds.
I wasn't exactly thrilled with the idea but I went back to the hotel, slapped on my sauna suit and hit the treadmill for an hour. I dropped the five pounds and went back to the training centre to weigh in. I hit the magic number (210 lbs.) and was brought back to the hotel to have some food. There was water, Gatorade, fruit and protein bars as well as a food menu. I did not want to eat too much as I was pretty sure I would have to fight my way into the house and I would have to make weight very soon.
The next day, around 2:00 PM, I was escorted to a van (they removed the blindfold and shackles) and I noticed the van was full of fighters. This was the first time I had a chance to scope out the competition. This was also the first time the cameras started to roll and I was happy that I had combed my hair that morning. As of that moment, we had to let go of our privacy and get used to cameras following us everywhere.
The 16 of us arrived at the training center and were told to proceed to the gym. Dana White appears out of nowhere (must be the TV magic I've heard about) and tells us to line up. A few minutes later another 16 fighters arrive and it's show time. Within thirty seconds, Phillipe Nover faints. I didn't notice it happen because I was on the other side, but in his defense Vegas is bloody hot and I'm pretty sure he was not the only one who was nervous. I know I was.
As Dana started to announce the match ups, Vinicius Magalhaes (my former teammate from Team Quest in Temecula, CA) and I were getting a little anxious. We did not want to fight each other (at least not yet). Vinny was picked in the first three match-ups and I noticed that Jason Guida was still standing there. We looked at one another and knew that we would be fighting each other.
Weigh-ins were the next day (Tuesday) at 4:00 PM.
I am certain that I was not the only one who arrived Sunday more than five pounds over. I think Guida had to do the same thing I did and that's why he had a problem cutting weight. Having to cut weight for Sunday and again for Tuesday is not my idea of a good time. I had 11 pounds to cut in 24 hours. I was not worried about making the cut but I still felt depleted from the practice run on Sunday. It took a toll on my body.
I arrived at the training center five pounds over and had 3 hours until weigh-ins. It was like an oven at the gym and I could have lost the weight just sitting around looking pretty. Fortunately, I'm not one for just sitting around, so I put on my plastics and did a light jog and bike ride. I made weight with an hour and a half to spare.
All of a sudden, I see Frank Mir walking out of the dressing room with the most disgusted look on his face. Either someone let go a wretched bomb or Guida didn't make weight. It was neither. Frank comes over, half-shaken, mumbling something about legs in the air and a furry coinpurse. After watching the episode, I am sure you know exactly which part I am referring to. Let's just say it wasn't a baby girl. Jason came in 11 pounds overweight that morning and spent the rest of the day in the sauna and in front of the toilet. He was in rough shape.
Frank Mir came out and told me Jason was still overweight and might not make it. I was very shocked at the news and I did not know what would happen if he did not make weight. Would I get a free pass to the house? Do they have a replacement? All I could do was wait and prepare for anything.
Jason finally came out of the back to weigh in. Silence. You could have heard a pin drop. He was 207lbs (one pound too much). We were all shocked. I could not believe someone would ruin their chance at such a big opportunity. Jason pleaded with the doctor and athletic commission, and several of the fighters even tried to appeal his case. Jason was escorted out and within a minute, Mike Stewart walked through the door. I had never heard of Mike and tried to find out more. Some of the East Coast fighters told me he was a wrestler. Game plan set-stand and bang.
Fight day was crazy! We arrived about 2 hours before the start of the fights and knew this would be a long day. There were 16 fights, six coaches to warm you up, two change rooms and a partridge in a pear tree. Honestly, I did not even warm up for the fight, just hit a bag for a bit and did some jumping jacks to get a light sweat. I was so nervous walking to the cage. You can't help but think that in the next 10-15 minutes my fate with the UFC will be decided. You train, sweat and bleed for this opportunity. It has been a long road of sacrifices.
Next thing I know the ref yells, "Bring it on!"
OK, let's fight. Inside leg kick to start, he does nothing. Right hook, left cross, ‘bang,' connects, ‘let's go for the kill!' I jumped right on him with straights and hooks, he dropped to his knees and I finished with uppercuts and hooks. Just like that. 20 seconds of work and I was in the house.
I could not control my emotions-what a great feeling! As soon as I walked out of the cage, I went to the back and walked outside. I yelled so loud I scared the neighbors.
The rest of the day was spent talking to people and watching fights. I was impressed lightweights Junie Allen Browning and Phillipe Nover. Vinny put on a sweet kick clinic and every kick he threw landed on his opponent's ribs. I was disappointed my fellow Canadian Ryan Jimmo didn't make it, as he was so close to pulling out a win. He had a great fight with Antwain Britt and I felt the fight could have gone either way.
Be sure to tune in to next Wednesday's episode of The Ultimate Fighter, where we'll find out who I'll have to room with for six long weeks.
Krzysztof
Soszynski's TUF 8 Blog--Week 1
by Krzysztof Soszynski
TUF: The Beginning
I got the call. I flew to Vegas. I looked for a man holding the number 8. I was told three important rules: (1) don't bring anything with logos; (2) everything will be taken away (i.e. phone, wallet, passport, iPod); and (3) be within 5 lbs of your fight weight. Simple enough. The driver, who was a System of a Down fan, took me to the hotel where I would be held hostage until further notice. I could not leave my room under any circumstances-if I did, I would be off the show. This was not your typical Sunday.
I prepared for a long wait and got ready to relax and watch some TV. Twenty minutes later, there was a knock at the door and it was time to go. I was taken to the UFC training center to weigh in and came in 10 pounds over (see important rule #3). I tried to explain that being 10 pounds over is normal for me and it's a very easy cut. However, the producers would not have it. They must not have heard about my Freedom Fight experience (that's another story!) and so I had to cut the five pounds.
I wasn't exactly thrilled with the idea but I went back to the hotel, slapped on my sauna suit and hit the treadmill for an hour. I dropped the five pounds and went back to the training centre to weigh in. I hit the magic number (210 lbs.) and was brought back to the hotel to have some food. There was water, Gatorade, fruit and protein bars as well as a food menu. I did not want to eat too much as I was pretty sure I would have to fight my way into the house and I would have to make weight very soon.
The next day, around 2:00 PM, I was escorted to a van (they removed the blindfold and shackles) and I noticed the van was full of fighters. This was the first time I had a chance to scope out the competition. This was also the first time the cameras started to roll and I was happy that I had combed my hair that morning. As of that moment, we had to let go of our privacy and get used to cameras following us everywhere.
The 16 of us arrived at the training center and were told to proceed to the gym. Dana White appears out of nowhere (must be the TV magic I've heard about) and tells us to line up. A few minutes later another 16 fighters arrive and it's show time. Within thirty seconds, Phillipe Nover faints. I didn't notice it happen because I was on the other side, but in his defense Vegas is bloody hot and I'm pretty sure he was not the only one who was nervous. I know I was.
As Dana started to announce the match ups, Vinicius Magalhaes (my former teammate from Team Quest in Temecula, CA) and I were getting a little anxious. We did not want to fight each other (at least not yet). Vinny was picked in the first three match-ups and I noticed that Jason Guida was still standing there. We looked at one another and knew that we would be fighting each other.
Weigh-ins were the next day (Tuesday) at 4:00 PM.
I am certain that I was not the only one who arrived Sunday more than five pounds over. I think Guida had to do the same thing I did and that's why he had a problem cutting weight. Having to cut weight for Sunday and again for Tuesday is not my idea of a good time. I had 11 pounds to cut in 24 hours. I was not worried about making the cut but I still felt depleted from the practice run on Sunday. It took a toll on my body.
I arrived at the training center five pounds over and had 3 hours until weigh-ins. It was like an oven at the gym and I could have lost the weight just sitting around looking pretty. Fortunately, I'm not one for just sitting around, so I put on my plastics and did a light jog and bike ride. I made weight with an hour and a half to spare.
All of a sudden, I see Frank Mir walking out of the dressing room with the most disgusted look on his face. Either someone let go a wretched bomb or Guida didn't make weight. It was neither. Frank comes over, half-shaken, mumbling something about legs in the air and a furry coinpurse. After watching the episode, I am sure you know exactly which part I am referring to. Let's just say it wasn't a baby girl. Jason came in 11 pounds overweight that morning and spent the rest of the day in the sauna and in front of the toilet. He was in rough shape.
Frank Mir came out and told me Jason was still overweight and might not make it. I was very shocked at the news and I did not know what would happen if he did not make weight. Would I get a free pass to the house? Do they have a replacement? All I could do was wait and prepare for anything.
Jason finally came out of the back to weigh in. Silence. You could have heard a pin drop. He was 207lbs (one pound too much). We were all shocked. I could not believe someone would ruin their chance at such a big opportunity. Jason pleaded with the doctor and athletic commission, and several of the fighters even tried to appeal his case. Jason was escorted out and within a minute, Mike Stewart walked through the door. I had never heard of Mike and tried to find out more. Some of the East Coast fighters told me he was a wrestler. Game plan set-stand and bang.
Fight day was crazy! We arrived about 2 hours before the start of the fights and knew this would be a long day. There were 16 fights, six coaches to warm you up, two change rooms and a partridge in a pear tree. Honestly, I did not even warm up for the fight, just hit a bag for a bit and did some jumping jacks to get a light sweat. I was so nervous walking to the cage. You can't help but think that in the next 10-15 minutes my fate with the UFC will be decided. You train, sweat and bleed for this opportunity. It has been a long road of sacrifices.
Next thing I know the ref yells, "Bring it on!"
OK, let's fight. Inside leg kick to start, he does nothing. Right hook, left cross, ‘bang,' connects, ‘let's go for the kill!' I jumped right on him with straights and hooks, he dropped to his knees and I finished with uppercuts and hooks. Just like that. 20 seconds of work and I was in the house.
I could not control my emotions-what a great feeling! As soon as I walked out of the cage, I went to the back and walked outside. I yelled so loud I scared the neighbors.
The rest of the day was spent talking to people and watching fights. I was impressed lightweights Junie Allen Browning and Phillipe Nover. Vinny put on a sweet kick clinic and every kick he threw landed on his opponent's ribs. I was disappointed my fellow Canadian Ryan Jimmo didn't make it, as he was so close to pulling out a win. He had a great fight with Antwain Britt and I felt the fight could have gone either way.
Be sure to tune in to next Wednesday's episode of The Ultimate Fighter, where we'll find out who I'll have to room with for six long weeks.
Krzysztof