Dollaway on episode No. 11 of "TUF7"

pa99fighter · 06-13-2008, 07:59 AM

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Team Rampage blog: C.B. Dollaway on episode No. 11 of "TUF7"
by C.B. Dollaway on Jun 12, 2008 at 8:49 pm ET
Welcome back to my blog for the latest episode of “The Ultimate Fighter 7.”

The show is winding down, and the best fighters are in the semifinals. I wanted to thank all of you for the time you have taken to read my blog. I try to bring a little behind-the-scenes stuff to you and share with you what it was like living a life on a reality show that is aired on national TV.

This episode started with the coaches’ challenge, which was a game of H.O.R.S.E. (UFC-style), and Rampage Jackson got smoked. That was not editing; he really sucked that bad at basketball.

Rampage is lucky he has a UFC contract and that making baskets and fighting do not have anything to do with one another. Forrest Griffin, on the other hand, was on the money. He made easy work of Rampage, and he has some serious basketball skills.

After the game we hung out in the suite and ate sushi, and the guys who were out of the tournament were drinking and enjoying themselves. Team Forrest loved the extra $2,000 they each just won due to their coach. Everyone was pretty excited, and these little breaks from the house really helped us all get our minds right.

Then inspired by Forrest "Chuck Taylor" Griffin, Dante Rivera challenged Dan Cramer to a game of hoops. Dante said he would spot Cramer five points and bet $100 (we are poor, so $100 to us was like $10,000 to Dana White) -- a bet that Cramer gladly accepted. Surprisingly Dante had some serious game and made a real run at Cramer, but the five points he spotted Cramer cost him the game and the $100. Still, Dante has some good skills on the court.

JT Money. That was Jesse Taylor's alternate personality. We all called him "Little John" (as in "Little John McCarthy"), but he was all about the JT Money. When they show Jesse getting his hair cut and ranting about JT Money, that perfectly captured life with Jesse. He was a constant source of entertainment for all of his housemates. His poetry will hopefully be on a bonus disc when the “TUF 7” DVD is released.

Jesse is a great wrestler and, as it was shown in his fight with Tim, he has some pretty effective ground and pound. I think Jesse is one of those anomalies in the sport. He can party like a rock star and still find a way to cut the weight and show up fight ready. For me I have to cut all that crazy stuff out of my life months before I fight. I don't know how he does it, but as you saw on this episode, he does -- and it does not affect him when he fights.

When he was in the hot tub all drunk, he asked for "one more drink." I figured I would add fuel to the fire, and I headed in and grabbed a bottle of gin and handed it to him. He didn’t look at it or anything; he just grabbed it and started chugging it. As the bottle emptied into his body, he got a strange look on his face and stopped drinking and said "YUCKIE" and then started throwing up in the hot tub. He then jumped into the ice-cold pool to rinse the puke off him. Yes, they had to drain the hot tub after this incident.

This party happened right after the quarterfinals, and almost everyone was ready to blow off steam. We all had a week until we had to fight again, so the party got pretty out of hand.

Tim Credeur and Dante Rivera seemed to take care of Jesse when he went on his journeys. They were always right there with him trying to get him to drink a little less and party a little less. They were his handlers. As you saw on the show, Tim is just one of those guys that seems to really care about everyone he comes into contact with. He and Jesse really formed a bond that will last beyond the show.

When Tim and Jesse were getting ready for their fight, they chose to train together. They felt that they had trained together this long and a few days apart wouldn't make that much of a difference. I was training for my fight with Amir Sadollah as it was the same day as Tim and Jesse's fight, and I was glad none of them came over to our side. If I advance, I am fighting one of them, and I wanted as much focused attention as I could get.

We all four weighed in on the same day. I know I am seen in my underwear a lot; I want to assure you I am not trying to get an Under Armour underwear contract or anything like that. I am sure my fellow cast mates will tell you I was not walking around fulltime in my skivvies. I never -- and I mean NEVER -- sparred or play-fought anyone in my underwear.

When they showed Jesse and Tim checking their weight they were about 10 pounds over. Most of us were walking around at 195, and when we would finish practice. I would be about 190. I do not think anyone really had any troubles making weight.

A lot of people ask me if Jesse was like that or whether he was the product of outrageous editing. Jesse was what we saw. Initially I thought it was an act and he was BSing us all. Over time it was apparent that that was and is Jesse Taylor. I think everyone really enjoyed Jesse and his antics.

The fight was pretty lopsided between Tim and Jesse. Jesse was too strong for Tim, and Tim waited too long to figure out his butterfly guard was effective against Jesse. When Tim had Jesse in his guard, he was eating punches the whole time. Tim had some great submission attempts, but overall, he was just overpowered and took too long to impose his game plan on Jesse.

I am heading into a battle with Amir. Just in the few clips they showed at the end of the episode, I saw things I did not recall in the fight. Our bout is an all-out war, and it is a fight you do not want to miss.

Good Read

KcMizzou · 06-13-2008, 08:22 AM

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I am heading into a battle with Amir. Just in the few clips they showed at the end of the episode, I saw things I did not recall in the fight. Our bout is an all-out war, and it is a fight you do not want to miss.

Really looking forward to that fight. Last ep. was a bit of a dud.

I kind of wish Amir and CB could have fought in the finale.

Clint · 06-13-2008, 08:28 AM

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Originally Posted by KcMizzou

Really looking forward to that fight. Last ep. was a bit of a dud.

I kind of wish Amir and CB could have fought in the finale.

Who knows depending on this whole someone getting kicked out thing they might still.

pa99fighter · 06-13-2008, 08:37 AM

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Ten TUF Questions: Week No. 11 eliminated cast member
by John Morgan on Jun 13, 2008 at 9:15 am ET
This week's episode of "The Ultimate Fighter: Team Rampage vs. Team Forrest" revealed the first finalist for this season's UFC contract and "TUF" title.

Jesse "J.T. Money" Taylor advanced by a mixture of ground-and-pound and lay-and-pray, as Tim Credeur was unable to work successfully from underneath the larger Taylor. Despite being eliminated, Credeur performed admirably, earning three submission victories along the way before falling one step short of the tournament finals.

Find out Credeur's thoughts on his time on the show, his final fight, and whether or not the promised ending will truly shock you in this week's "Ten TUF Questions" feature.

MMAJUNKIE.COM: How did you make it on to the show? Were you recruited, or did you go through the normal tryout process?

TIM CREDEUR: It was kind of an accumulation of both. I saw that they were casting for "The Ultimate Fighter 7," so I called one of the guys I train with, Rich Clementi, and he had been on season four. He knew the producer, so he called her up and gave her my information. I guess they did a little background work on me, and sent me an application. I filled it out and sent it back in, and that was it.

MMAJUNKIE.COM: Your first three fights ended with three submission stoppages. How much impact did $20,000 in prize money have on your life?

TIM CREDEUR: Well, we only get half of it, and then we get half of it at the finale. It didn't really impact my life at all because without a job, all that really does is just pay my bills for the three or four months up until the finale. To be honest, I have a wife and a house and a car payment -- all kind of stuff. Having to quit my job, me making some of that money was a necessity.

MMAJUNKIE.COM: The editing of the show led us to believe that Jesse's wild drinking binge was quite possibly the night before the semifinal fight. Was that the case, and what were your thoughts as you watched your soon-to-be opponent become more and more intoxicated?

TIM CREDEUR: That wasn't really the case. That actually happened after my fight with Dan Cramer, stuff that they alluded to not last night, but the episode before. And really that was the end of that same night. It was before the semifinal matchups were even announced.

Me, C.B. (Dollaway), Amir (Sadollah) and Jesse, we all kind of agreed to have a couple of drinks. If all four of us were going to do it, then what difference does it really make? I set my benchmark at C.B. and tried to drink only as much as he had, or maybe less. But Jesse, he just went crazy.

At one point, once it started to get bad, my concern was more for Jesse, just as a friend. I was just concerned with making sure he was going to be OK, not hurting himself. They didn't show it on the show, but he hurts himself a lot. He gets a cut on the eye, and then he punches himself on the eye, and then rips it out. The doctor tells him he's not going to be able to fight because he tore all of his stitches out. He can just be so crazy. He's very self-destructive sometimes.

It got a little more nuts than they showed, to be honest.

MMAJUNKIE.COM: Because you were both from Team Forrest, you and Jesse continued to train together leading up to the fight. In fact, you were even seen in this episode giving Jesse submission-defense advice during training. Any regrets about not keeping a few secrets to yourself?

TIM CREDEUR: I don't really think like that. I guess I should think more about myself sometimes. The things I said to Jesse were just off-hand, some mistakes he was making in the week we were training for the fight, not necessarily me saying how to get out of my submissions. We were all just trying to help him, and that was me putting my two cents in. But, I don't regret it all.

Jesse's going to move on after this. And if some of the things I said help in life, or help him in his fighting career, he's a friend of mine. He's got a son, and he's got to make money for him. I'm going to do what I can to help him.

MMAJUNKIE.COM: Throughout the fight with Jesse, your corner was imploring you to utilize the butterfly guard. And it seemed as if your best moments came as a result of that strategy. Dana White even said your lack of more butterfly-guard use was what cost you the fight. Why were you unable to utilize the position more frequently and effectively?

TIM CREDEUR: They didn't show much of it, but in the Dan Cramer fight, I went to do a judo throw or something, and Dan Cramer and I land kind of sideways. He kind of lands on top of me, but on to my left shoulder. So I was sent to the hospital to get it checked out, and my shoulder was pretty messed up, to the point that I couldn't take off and put on a T-shirt. I was icing it every day, and I missed a whole lot of training in the week leading up to the fight

The only way for me to get butterfly guard is to use my hands to create some separation between Jesse and I so I can insert my hooks in. Without having a lot of mobility and power in that left shoulder, I really couldn't create too much space. I had to kind of wait for Jesse to move for me to put my feet in there. And he knew that as well as I did, and he worked really hard to keep his hips as close to my hips as possible.

MMAJUNKIE.COM: You mentioned during the episode that six months ago, you were considering calling it quits. Has your performance on the show encouraged you to keep chasing your dream?

TIM CREDEUR: I'm 31 years old, and at my age, chasing isn't reality. I've got a bachelor's degree, and I've been accepted into a master's program. I've got a bunch of great job offers. But screw corporate America. I ain't going to do that.

As for sacrificing everything for menial paychecks, sub-par shows, getting in two fights a night -- one in the ring, and one with the promoter backstage -- it was getting to the end of my ability to do that.

Am I ever going to go back to fighting on menial shows across the country for little to no money? The answer is abso-[expletive]-lutely not. I will continue fighting for the UFC, and I will continue fighting at the "A" level for as long as I can.

MMAJUNKIE.COM: Fewer and fewer fighters are being asked back to the UFC. As a semifinalist, has the UFC given you any indication as to whether you will return?

TIM CREDEUR: I will be on the finale, but I can't talk about an opponent at this time. I'm extremely excited about this fight, and I'm ready to fight.

MMAJUNKIE.COM: We hear stories of many fighters utilizing newfound connections on the show to change their training routines. Have you become associated with any other camps or training partners since the show's taping?

TIM CREDEUR: I've been out here in Las Vegas for about eight weeks now. The training out here is phenomenal. As far as moving out here, I don't know if it's the place for me. I'm a little different than the Vegas crowd, I would say.

MMAJUNKIE.COM: We would be remiss if we didn't ask this season's mandatory question. What was your opinion of Jeremy May?

TIM CREDEUR: If you're Jeremy May, that's a tough pill to swallow, that the whole world knows what type of guy you are. I don't want to say anything bad about Jeremy May. I know stuff has been said. I don't hate the guy. I feel bad. I think he's a kid from probably a tough past, and he hasn't learned some of the life lessons he needs to learn.

MMAJUNKIE.COM: Obviously your contract prohibits you from sharing details from the unaired portions of the show. But many hardcore fans are concerned with Zuffa's tendency to over-promise and under-deliver on big surprises. Is next week's show going to be "the most shocking ending in ‘The Ultimate Fighter' history?"

TIM CREDEUR: I've watched every single episode of "The Ultimate Fighter." I'm a huge fan of the sport. I've watched every season. By far and away, this is going to freak everybody out. You're not going to believe what happens. It is the biggest shocker, in my opinion, in UFC and "The Ultimate Fighter" history.

I was completely shocked, blown away and amazed, and I think everybody else will be, too. It's going to be something that you do not want to miss. It's going to be something that all of the fans are going to be super excited about, and it's going to go down in history. For sure, it's one of the most craziest things that has ever happened on "The Ultimate Fighter." I would say, if anything, Zuffa has under-hyped what's about to happen.

MMAJUNKIE.COM: Based on your previous answers, this may seem obvious. But now that you're through this experience, would you do it all over again?

TIM CREDEUR: "The Ultimate Fighter" is a phenomenal experience for your career. It's one of those things that can make you, and really get you out there, whether you're going to fight in the UFC or not. It gets your name out there. It was a great experience for me.

Would I do it again? It would take a lot more money.

It won't be Tim at least

KcMizzou · 06-13-2008, 08:48 AM

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TIM CREDEUR: I've watched every single episode of "The Ultimate Fighter." I'm a huge fan of the sport. I've watched every season. By far and away, this is going to freak everybody out. You're not going to believe what happens. It is the biggest shocker, in my opinion, in UFC and "The Ultimate Fighter" history.

I was completely shocked, blown away and amazed, and I think everybody else will be, too. It's going to be something that you do not want to miss. It's going to be something that all of the fans are going to be super excited about, and it's going to go down in history. For sure, it's one of the most craziest things that has ever happened on "The Ultimate Fighter." I would say, if anything, Zuffa has under-hyped what's about to happen.

Wow.... Sounds like a hell of a lot more than just a busted car window.

Palma · 06-13-2008, 09:07 AM

God damn it... it sounds like CB is going to win.

Thor's Hammer · 06-13-2008, 11:41 AM

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Originally Posted by Palma

God damn it... it sounds like CB is going to win.

Why do you think that? I read the whole article, but maybe I didn't pick up on something.

carbondioxide830 · 06-15-2008, 09:00 AM

uhhh because cb is the fuckin shit! after the first two episodes, i named amir, cb, or gerald harris to win this whole thing. ironically enough, one of my pics, amir, knocked out another in gerald and now amir is fighting my number one pick, cb. if anyone has a chance of beating cb on the show, its amir i think. i can not wait for this week's episode. 90 minutes!

Killinginthenameof · 06-16-2008, 09:35 AM

who knows.....i just hope that the CB/Amir fight is as good as CB says it is. Is there any foreshadowing there with him saying "he saw things that he did not recall" in the tape? did he miss some submission opportunities? i don't know.....just wondering what anyone else think he meant.