Episode 7
What are your thoughts on working out with the snorkel and the ice bath afterwards?
Working out with the snorkel was an amazing cardio work out. It's the first time I've ever done anything like that. THE ICE BATH SUCKS!!!
Did you ever talk to Coach Nogueira when he came over to the house?
I talked to coach Nog every time he came over to the house along with all the other assistant coaches. I got along really well with everybody.
What did you think about Jules's tombstone?
I thought the tombstone prank was very cool. Very original and it wasn't dirty. Very cool prank.
Was there ever any doubt that Vinny would win that fight?
There is always a chance to lose a fight. Thats one of the things that makes our sport such a great one. Anybody can win. But everybody knew that Vinny had a very good chance to win.
What are your thoughts on the Vinny-Noguiera altercation?
I was shocked to see the Vinny-Nog altercation. Nog is such a nice guy, I didnt know that he could even be that pissed off.
At this point who gives you the toughest time during training?
I think that Shane Nelson gave me the most trouble in training. He is a very complete fighter.
Reader questions
Hi George, how aggrivating is it not getting much time on TV? It seems like it's Junie, Junie, Junie.
William-Virginia Beach
It doesnt really bother me that Junie is getting all the TV time. If he wants to be a reality TV star than he has succeeded. I was there to fight. I do my talking in the cage.
What were some of the things you missed the most while in the house?
Kay
I missed my family and friends the most while I was in the house. Next I missed my cell phone and TV. I missed the NBA playoffs and championship. I missed a whole lot of other things while there as well.
One thing I do miss about the house is the request list! That is one of the greatest things that I have ever gotten to encounter.
Feel free to ask George anything about the show. Please send your emails to Allen@AroundTheOctagon.com and I'll pass it on to George.
Episode 6
Was Vinny really ticked off at Krystof and Eliott for not including him in their finale plans?
YES! Vinny was pissed when he heard the comment that Krystof and Eliot made about them being the 2 light heavyweight finalists. Vinny felt that he was the best light heavyweight. I think if any competitor hears that they would take some offense to it.
What do you think about Roli's story about how he got his black belt?
I think that Roli is a legit black belt. I'm not saying I understand the story about were he got it, but he was for sure legit.
Did you feel Roli had a chance against Junie?
I knew that Roli was going to give Junie a war. I fought Roli and he is very tuff. I also trained with Junie and knew that it was going to be a hard fight for him. I think if the fight would have went to the ground then Roli would have subed Junie.
What did you think when Junie didn't make weight?
When Junie didnt make weight my first thoughts were what the commision was going to do. We didnt want to lose control that way.
As you watched the fight how did you feel knowing you beat the guy who almost beat Junie?
Junie is just good at talking. I wasnt suprised that Roli almost beat him. Junie isn't as tuff as everybody thinks he is or as tough as Junie thinks he is.
Did you ever think about causing trouble to get TV time like Junie did?
I never thought about acting like an idiot to get on TV. I went into this show telling myself that I was just going to be myself. I was here to fight. Not to make a fool of myself in front of the world.
Episode 5
What did you think about the incident Vinny and Efrain's pillow?
I thought that it was very messed up to piss on Efrain's pillow. I would use other words to describe it but dont know if its appropriate.
Do you feel that Eliot was disrespectful to Nogueira?
I dont think that any of the fighters were disrespectful to Nogueira. Including Eliot Marshal.
Did the pranks have any effect on the matchups that fighters wanted in the house?
The pranks didnt have any effect on the fight match ups in the house. The drama did though.
What did you think about Anderson Silva coming over to train with team Noguiera?
I thought it was very cool that Team Nogueira got to train with Anderson Silva. Silva is an amazing fighter and anybody who gets to train with him is very lucky.
Where you suprised Eliot had such an easy win over Shane Primm?
I was suprised that Eliot dominated Primm so easily. Primm had a very impressive performance to get into the house.
Did you think that you would get to fight or did you know it was Junie's turn after Mir regained control?
Mir was very open with us about the match ups. We talked about the match ups and Mir thought that Junie needed to fight to keep him out of trouble. So I knew that Junie was up.
Hi, this is a question for George. How has your life changed since the show?-James from Tampa
The show has changed the way I train. I used to train 5 days a week. Now I train twice a day 6 days a week. I train 6 to 7hrs a day. I've also relocated up to Vegas to train with Team Mir. In the public view it hasn't changed to much. I'm just trying to keep a low profile right now and concentrate on training.
Episode 4
Being in the house away from TV, radio, etc., how exciting was it to get to watch the UFC with Penn and Sherk?
Getting to watch the UFC headlining Penn vs Sherk was like getting a breath of fresh air. You anticipate watching the fights all day.
What did you think as you watched the Junie-Krystof/Bader situation by the pool?
When the drama with Junie, Krystof, and Bader was going down by the pool, My first thoughts were: where is Junie's medicine. He is insane for trying to fight and provoke Bader and Krystof.
How suprised were you that Dana did not send Junie and Shane home?
I thought that throwing a glass at someone was worse than getting into a fight. The reason being is because of the potential harm that it could cause. Plus Junie assulted more people in that one night than anybody has done all together in the history of TUF. I didn't think Shane deserved to be kicked off!
What were your thoughts on Shane and Efrain's fight when it was announced?
The fight announcement was no suprise because Dana already told Shane he was going to be the first 155lbs.
What were your thoughts when you saw Junie hop into the cage after the fight?
When Junie jumped into the cage after Efrain was victorious my thoughts were: it's the Junie show. He always has to try to steal the spotlight from someone else.
At this point in the show it is fairly early but did you want to fight sooner rather than later or did you have a preference?
I wanted to be the first lightweight to fight. I wanted to get it out of the way and it would give me plenty of time to concentrate and prepare for my semi final fight.
Hey George I really enjoy your Q&A, I live outside San Diego and I was hoping you could tell me somewhere I could start training MMA (I'm willing to travel). I wrestled in high school and I would like to see if I have what it taked to be a mixed marital artist. Thanks-Jim
Hey Jim, whats up bro. I hope your enjoying the show so far. First off anybody with heart has what it takes to be an MMA fighter. If your willing to travel there are a couple gyms that are very good to train at. I'm up in Vegas training at Striking Unlimited with the best in the world and we have a variety of people to train with from beginner to advanced. Tucson, Arizona is were I started and flourished as an MMA fighter. I train at The Ultima Martial Arts Center in Tucson. We have a great family down there and great trainers and training partners. There is a gym in San Diego that is good to train at to it's called Undisputed. Remember bro it's all about heart and consistancy. I wish you the best of luck on your journey
I'd like to ask George about who thinks will win the Mir-Nogueira fight.
Frank Mir vs Antonio Nogueira:
Both of these heavyweights are the best in the world. I've watched them for years in there fighting careers and look up to both of them. It was an honor to be able to train and record the show with both of them. After the show Mir has brought me up to Vegas to train. I don't only train with Frank; I live with him. Mirs preperation for this fight is like no other fighter I've seen. Mir works very hard and his family and trainers are the backbone to his success next to the heart Mir possess. FRANK MIR WILL WIN THIS FIGHT!!!
Episode 3
Did you have a preference as to who picked you?
I really wanted to be picked by team Mir because of the great cornering I got in my fight to get into the house.
Did you use being picked last as motivation?
Being picked last bothered me for a very brief moment, but then I started looking at the positive aspects of it. It took all the pressure off of me and people would under estimate me. We'll see who gets the last laugh!!!!!!
What were your thoughts when you saw Roli in the house? It had to be a little awkward.
It wasn't awkward when Roli came back. Roli is a great fighter and deserved to have another shot.
What were your thoughts as you watched Junie's melt down by the pool?
When I saw Junie melt down by the pool my first thoughts were, wow this is going to be good TV and then I thought, what a little girl.
Who was your pick to win the Bader-Lawlor fight?
My pick was Lawlor. But if I had to put money on it my pick would have been Bader.
George, what's the story with the Dopey tattoo? submitted by Richard S.
Richard this was the last tattoo I ever got and I was 15 when I did so. I don't regret anything I've ever done because it is what made me who I am today. This tattoo was a gang tattoo. Like I said I don't regret anything I've ever done. I've been able to change my life when I was 18 yrs. old and MMA has helped. I'm a well rounded person and that makes me a well rounded parent for my twins that just turned 3 yrs. old. That was a great question and I hope to get more from ya.
Episode 2
What were your thoughts when you heard you where fighting Roli Delgado?
My thoughts when I found out that I had to fight Rolando Delgado were shock. I've never fought or even seen a lightweight fighter as tall as me. I was also excited because the fights were now set and I'm ready to go.
What did you think when you heard Frank Mir yelling instructions for you?
I've always been good about listening to my corner. The thing that seperates me from all the other fighters is that I have an open mind and and will never stop learning even when I become champion.
Did you think Eliot Marshall got robbed? Or was the fight close at all?
I'm sure that Eliot Marshal got robbed! The first round was close, but I still gave it to Eliot hands down. The second round Eliot dominated and in the overtime round Eliot destroyed him.
Which lightweight impressed you the most in their fight during episode 2?
Shane Nelson impressed me more than any other lightweight fighters. I thought he looked the most well rounded and was always going for the finish.
Which light heavyweight impressed you the most in their fight during episode 2?
Out of the light heavyweights, Ryan Bader impressed me the most. The reason I say this is because I've seen Kingsbury fight several times and he has destroyed his opponents.
Did John Polakowski try to hug you too?
Yes John Polakowski hugged me. It didnt bother me at all. John is a very nice guy and a great fighter. It brings a whole other attitude to the sport.
Feel free to ask George anything about the show. Please send your emails to Allen@AroundTheOctagon.com and I'll pass it on to George.
Episode 1
When you first walked into the training center were there any guys there that you knew?
When I first walked into the training center I knew two other fighters there. I knew light heavyweight Kyle Kingsbury from the local shows that we did together in AZ. I also knew lightweight Efrain Escudero. I also know him from the same local show. Efrain and I were supposed to be eachothers very first MMA fight ever.
What was the biggest upset from the first episode?
I think the biggest upset of the episode was Nover beating Duarte. The only reason I say this is because Nover passed out and everybody thought he was going to be weak for his fight.
What were your thoughts when you saw Phillipe pass out?
When Nover passed out I really didnt even know what was going on. I was so focused and had all the competitive juices going because the match ups for the fights to get in the house were about to be made.
Did you want to fight him?
I didn't want to fight Nover when he passed out. There were a lot of other guys who did. I was ready to fight anyone they locked me in that cage with.
What were your thoughts on Junie after watching him fight?
I was very impressed with Junie's fight. He looked very good and hand a great ground and pound and sub deffense. I thought that he would be one of the lightweights to compete with in the house.
After a fighter lost and didn't make it in the house where they allowed to stick around and watch the fights or did they leave immediately?
After a fighter lost they were allowed to stick around and watch the rest of the fights. After the fights were all said and done he made everyone leave the gym.
