The Ultimate Fighter Season 10 Profile: NFL 1st Round Pick Marcus Jones

The UFC’s signature reality series The Ultimate Fighter returns for its 10th season on Wednesday, Sept. 16 on Spike TV.

Marketed as the "heaviest" season ever, this is the first time in the show’s history that it will feature an all heavyweight cast.

The gold team will coached by Rashad “Sugar” Evans, while the silver team is led by Quinton “Rampage” Jackson.

This article is part of a 16-part preview of each of the 16 cast members.

The fighters are ranked on a one to five-star basis. A five-star rating means you are one of the favorites to win the show, while a two-star rating means you are a dark horse to make the finals.

The following rankings were originally posted at ultmma.com. 

Marcus Jones

6'6"

Three Star

North Carolina

4-1 HW

Signature win: November 10, 2007 TKO win versus Eduardo Boza

Marcus Jones owns by far the most decorated pro football resume of all his cast mates. The 6’6" Jones won the 1995 ACC Defensive Player of the Year while playing defense end at North Carolina University. A first round draft pick of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Jones played eight seasons with Tampa before retiring in 2002.  

Jones has only been training MMA for two years. Win or lose, none of his five fights thus far have made it past the first round.  With five pro fights to his credit grappling is Jones strength. Jones admits submission defense will always be a work in progress for him.

Jones currently trains at Gracie Tampa under Rob Kahn. He last competed on the February 2009 XCF-Rumble at Racetown card where he defeated John Juarez (0-1) via TKO due to strikes.

The 36-year-old has father time against him as well as dealing with the wear and tear of a NFL career has already put on his body. A good camp, natural size and athletic ability gives Jones a shot in the TUF house.

Tommy Messano is the editor-in-chief of www.ultmma.com . His MMA articles have appeared on www.sherdog.com , www.wcl.com , Fight Ground Magazine and www.espn.com

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