The Ultimate Fighter Season 12: "The Dirty Dozen" Part II

Now that the dust has cleared in the aftermath of UFC 118 and what amounted to be an incredible month of August for MMA in general, we can now shift our focus to the month of September. 

While there are many events going on this month across the big name promotions, only one of them of them has a weekly reality show that gives you an inside look at future MMA superstars.

What show could this be, you ask? Well, The Ultimate Fighter, of course. 

The brainchild of UFC President Dana White, The Fertitta brothers, and reality show guru Craig Piligian (American Chopper, Dirty Jobs); TUF started back in 2005 as a vehicle to establish more mainstream acceptance for not only The Ultimate Fighting Championship, but for the sport of Mixed Martial Arts in general.

It was a huge risk for Zuffa, the parent company of the UFC, as they had to finance the majority of the first season; but most of you know the end result, the risk paid off big time, and not only catapulted The UFC into the mainstream popularity that it’s currently experiencing, but it turned average guys into household names nearly overnight.

In part two of our four part Bleacher Report exclusive, we’ll be sitting down with each of the 28 contestants for the upcoming 12th season which premieres Sept. 15 on Spike TV.

During our time with each fighter we’ll put them in the hot seat and ask them 12 thought provoking questions in honor of the 12th season.

This set of “dirty dozen” will help you get a little more insight into what you can expect for what looks to be the best season yet.

Steve Magdaleno

What or Who first inspired you to get into martial arts?

"Bruce Lee films and pro wrestling also played a vital role. If pro wrestling was real, I’d most likely be doing that. Crazy mask and everything! I started with Tae Kwon Do at the age of 10. Wrestling and Jiu Jitsu from age 15."

Who is your favorite fighter right now, and why?

"Myself, not to be egotistical, just because I’m the one walking down this path, day in and day out. I see myself and everything I have to go through in pursuit of this dream of mine.

"I’m not perfect, but I give everything, it’s the only way I can look myself in the mirror with some sense of pride. I also like my fight style; I’m not one-dimensional, I am pretty technical. So I’m definitely my favorite fighter."

Who are you? : A Striker, A Wrestler, or Submission Specialist?

"All of the above. My Jiu Jitsu is probably my strongest element, but I like to be well-rounded and am pretty good ateverything. Everything can improve, though."

If you weren’t a fighter, what would you be doing right now?

"I’d be on the couch playing video games, probably competing in Jiu Jitsu, or maybe screenwriting, since I love movies; it was my major in college."

Quick Pick: Ken or Ryu?

"Got to go for Ken. Ryu is more powerful probably, but Ken has style. You got to have style."

Where did you grow up, and how has it made you the man you are today?

I don’t have any sort of sad story. I have a big family, grew up in a nice
neighborhood. I had a fun childhood. I think my family and those around me influenced me more than my surroundings. I grew up to know right from wrong, and think I turned out all right.

Why should the other fighters on the show fear you?

"Fighters are tough; we don’t tend to fear anyone. They should be cautious, though; I pride myself on my technique and being able to fight from anywhere.

"I also have a loyal following of fans that will come after you if you mess up my face! Jk."

If you’re Joe Silva, and had the power to make any match up you wanted, regardless of weight class, what would it be?

"Don Frye vs. Dan Severn. Actually, Joe Silva does a great job match making and couldn’t think of a serious one. I do miss the early days of MMA, though; that was a trip!"

Who has been the single biggest influence in your life?

"I had this really good friend back in high school. I met him in middle school and when we got into high school, he joined the wrestling team. He kept bothering me over and over to join the team, too, till I finally relented sophomore year.

"He really got me all gung ho about training. He got to be one of the closest friends I’d ever had, and he was so so funny. When training got hard, it was good to have him around, because he always kept me smiling.

"But then a little after high school had ended, he was diagnosed with cancer and as often things go in life, it didn’t turn out well. I was one of the casket bearers at his funeral. It was the single most crushing time in my life.

"He often said he wanted to see me wrestle in College and although I didn’t, I’ve kept competing until now. So I hope if there’s a place in the sky, he’s up there looking down with a smile on his face.

"He’s a memory that will never leave me. I would like to do something that would make him proud."

What is something that people would be surprised to know about you?

"I can speak three languages, I also speak Spanish and Japanese. Spanish because both my parents are from Mexico, and I grew up with Spanish in the house. Japanese because I spent two years in Japan training and teaching English.

"Moral of the story…immersion works, people. Oh, and also I love Karaoke!!"

Favorite walkout song?

"Worth Dying For" by Rise Against

Andy Main

What or Who first inspired you to get into martial arts?

I’ve been interested in martial arts since I was very young. I tried a couple traditional martial arts but lost interest.

"I saw the TUF 1 finale fight between Stephan Bonnar and Forrest Griffin. I was very interested, but it wasn’t till almost a year later that a friend introduced me to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

"That was the beginning of my career in martial arts, and I haven’t looked back since.

Who is your favorite fighter right now, and why?

I’m a big fan of Nick Diaz. I really like his style of boxing and his expertise on the ground. I try to emulate a lot of the way he fights. I also like a confidence he carries into every fight.

Who are you? : A Striker, A Wrestler, or Submission Specialist?

I have taken down almost everyone I’ve fought, I have KO’d two boxers and beaten up a Muay Thai specialist on his feet, and I have submissions to my name as well.

"My base is BJJ, but I just love to fight. If I had to classify myself, I guess I would be a submission specialist, but I like to think I can handle myself wherever the fight takes me…or I should say wherever I take the fight.

If you weren’t a fighter, what would you be doing right now?

I have taken down almost everyone I’ve fought, I have KO’s two boxers and beat up a muay thai specialist on his feet, and I have submissions to my name as well. My base is BJJ but I just love to fight. If I had to classify myself I guess I would be a submission specialist but I like to think I can handle myself wherever the fight takes me… or I should say wherever I take the fight.

Where did you grow up, and how has it made you the man you are today?

I grew up in Rockaway, N.J. It’s a basic suburb of north Jersey. Everywhere we are and everything we do makes us who we are.

The places I’ve been and the people I’ve interacted with made me who I am today.

Why should the other fighters on the show fear you?

They shouldn’t. No one should fear anyone else in this sport especially at our level. If someone does then they probably shouldn’t be fighting.

It takes a certain mentality to fight professionally. I love seeing a situation like when Frankie Edgar fought BJ the first time.

No one gave him a chance and he had full confidence that he would beat BJ and he did. Anyone can beat any person on any given day. That’s what makes fighting so exciting.

However, I do bring a lot to the table, and anyone that may be fighting me had better be prepared.

If you’re Joe Silva, and had the power to make any match up you wanted, regardless of weight class what would it be?

There are so many. A couple that I’ve been wishing could happen are Cain Valasquez vs Fedor and Nick Diaz vs GSP.

Another great fight would be Frankie Edgar vs GSP  if they were closer in weight.

Who has been the single biggest influence in your life?

Probably my Dad; he worked hard to have success, and I try to emulate his work ethic in my own career.

Why should we root for you to win this season?

I feel like I’m a likable person and very easy to relate to. I’m not trying to prove anything other than that I belong with the best and that I love what I do. I think a lot of fans will respond well to my talent, drive, and work ethic.

What’s your favorite way to end a fight?

I love the thrill of getting a KO as much as the next guy, but my favorite way to end fights is by submission. My favorite submission is the armbar.

What is something that people would be surprised to know about you?

I avoid confrontation.

Favorite walkout song?

My favorite walkout song is “No Handlebars” by the Flobots. I really like it because the tune in the beginning is very mellow yet somewhat intense like I think I am.

When I used it, I would walk out slow and stare at my opponent. I don’t “mean mug”. I just like to stare and try to exude confidence.

I like to give the impression that the fight is like a walk in the park for me.

I like to see it in my opponent’s eyes when the cage door closes and for a split second, they reconsider their decision to fight me.

Nam Phan

What or Who first inspired you to get into martial arts?
Ever since I was a kid growing up, my whole family was involved in martial arts. It was only natural that I pick it up as well.

Who is your favorite fighter right now, and why?
Man this is a tough question, there are so many fighters that I like. If I had to pick one it would have to be Demian Maia, because he shows a lot of class as a fighter and as a person, plus his jiu jitsu technique is off the charts. 

Who are you? : A Striker, A Wrestler, or Submission Specialist?
I would consider myself a Jiu Jitsu practitioner who is always trying to improve on his striking. 

If you weren’t a fighter, what would you be doing right now?
I would probably be working for some corporate company pushing buttons in my cubicle.

Why should the other fighters on the show fear you?
There is no need to fear me because I am just a martial arts instructor.


If you’re Joe Silva, and had the power to make any match up you wanted, regardless of weight class what would it be?
Jose Aldo vs. BJ Penn.


Who has been the single biggest influence in your life?
My parents.

What is something that people would be surprised to know about you?
Not a lot of people know this about me, but the character RYU from street fighter was based on ME. :)

Favorite walkout song?

UM... I'm not sure, but I like Wild Boys from Duran Duran .

Quick Pick: Ken or Ryu?

Ryu all the way !!

Quick Pick: Bruce Lee or Chuck Norris?

Hey man this fight already happened, watch "Return of the Dragon" and you'll know what I'm talking . Lets just say the Asian guy prevails.

Are you going to be the resident bad boy this season?

I am just a Martial Arts Instructor, in other words NO.

Dane Sayers

What or Who first inspired you to get into martial arts?

"I always loved watching MMA ever since UFC 1. Early on as a fan, it crossed my mind that I might be a person that would be good at the sport.

"I was in sports most of my life, but it wasn’t an actual realistic thought in my head that I would really participate in MMA anytime soon until after high school.

"When I rolled for the first time after meeting some fighters at a local gym, I found that I appreciated how much skill was involved. I wrestled for a few years in high school,so that helped me transition easily into the feel of things.

"Ethan Boyle is the local ex-fighter that showed me the fundamentals of fighting and even lined up my first fight for me.

"After a few fights I joined the Academy of Combat Arts in Fargo, N.D., and I’ve trained with them ever since."

Who is your favorite fighter right now, and why?

"My favorite fighter has always been Genki Sudo, because of his unorthodox style and personality."

Who are you? : A Striker, A Wrestler, or Submission Specialist?

"I think I could have been considered a mix of all three starting out. But as I have been developing, I think I am turning into more of a striker."

If you weren’t a fighter, what would you be doing right now?

"I’d either continue where I left off with my career in the computer field, or go to school to become a teacher."

Where did you grow up, and how has it made you the man you are today?

"I grew up in Fargo, N.D. It allowed me to experience school athletics and graduating from a decent-sized high school.

Having more people to compete against growing up probably made me the competitor I am today."

Why should the other fighters on the show fear you?

I never give up and I am dangerous at any point of the fight.

If you’re Joe Silva, and had the power to make any match up you wanted, regardless of weight class what would it be?

I would line up GSP vs. Anderson Silva.

Who has been the single biggest influence in your life?

"The biggest influence in my life would probably be individuals like Muhammad Ali, Michael Jordan, or Jim Thorpe. People that achieve excellence at what they do and inspire others motivate me."

Why should we root for you to win this season?

"I think that people should root for me because I am not just another guy fighting for himself. I fight for a cause and I am not cocky or arrogant. I am a serious competitor and I want to put on a good show while I do what I love to do most–Fight."

What’s your favorite way to end a fight?

I would think a clean knockout would be the most satisfying, wouldn’t it?

What is something that people would be surprised to know about you?

I am an excellent chess player.

Favorite walkout song?

My favorite walkout song would have to be Lil Wayne – Shoot Me Down.

Ariel Sexton

What or Who first inspired you to get into martial arts?

Ever since I was a kid I loved martial arts; it must have been the first time I saw a Bruce Lee movie, then got into karate and jumped around through different styles.

Who is your favorite fighter right now, and why?

My favorite fighter right now is GSP!! Most complete and down to earth fighter, I can relate a lot of my talents to his style.

Who are you? : A Striker, A Wrestler, or Submission Specialist?

I would say that I’m submission man but recently I have been standing and fighting more a striker's lifestyle!

If you weren’t a fighter, what would you be doing right now?

If I wasn’t a fighter i would be playing some type of pro sports, baseball, football..also I like acting, so maybe I would be in the movie industry.

Where did you grow up, and how has it made you the man you are today?

I grew up in Vancouver, B.C., then moved to San Jose, Costa Rica, where I live now.

I have been traveling a lot all my life and that has made me adapt to my surrounding very easily...I don’t get homesick that easily!

Why should the other fighters on the show fear you?

Because I’m a wild man from the jungles and there is no quit in me. Plus, I’ll give even the best a run for their money!

If you’re Joe Silva, and had the power to make any matchup you wanted, regardless of weight class what would it be?

I think I would like to fight Alistair Overeem, because he thinks he is pretty tough and I would like to beat him down!

Are you going to be the resident bad boy this season?

Will have to see. I'm not much of a rebel...more of a leader!!

Who has been the single biggest influence in your life?

Very hard, but it has to be my role model, Jim Carrey!

What’s your favorite way to end a fight?

I like to leave my opponent hog-tied up and not knowing how or where he is!! TKO or submission, it’s all gravy for me!

What is something that people would be surprised to know about you?

I’m funny and like to make people laugh!  I should be in some movies or a total prankster!

Favorite walkout song?

Tango & Cash! Toledo

Marc Stevens

What or Who first inspired you to get into martial arts?

my first inspiration to fight was josh koscheck after a successful wrestling career, I was sitting at home watching the first season of the ultimate fighter and saw josh on it and immediately began my MMA training

Who is your favorite fighter right now, and why?

I think jon jones would have to be my favorite fighter right now. he's staying humble while climbing the ranks he's exciting to watch and is the future of the sport

Who are you? : A Striker, A Wrestler, or Submission Specialist?

I would have to say as a fighter i'm all 3. i have good striking and have had KOs.. but i come from 20 years of wrestling and have good submissions skills as well

Quick Pick: Ken or Ryu?

Ryu!!

Where did you grow up, and how has it made you the man you are today?

Growing up in the country in middle-class northern New York has made me a humble very hard working man. i come from a very hard working family and had work ethic instilled in me at a young age

Why should the other fighters on the show fear you?

Other fighters should fear me because i'm very well rounded and have a lot of fight experience with 17 pro fights i've been around the game and i can take the fight wherever i want it. and end it!

If you’re Joe Silva, and had the power to make any match up you wanted, regardless of weight class what would it be?

Dream match up right now would be myself vs frankie edgar orrrr i guess anderson silva and gsp. or jon jones vs shogun"

Are you going to be the resident bad boy this season?

I'm not going to be the resident bad boy this season i have a lot of students who look up to me so trying to be a bad boy on tv is not something i'm trying to do.. if i come across as a bad boy then so be it.

Who has been the single biggest influence in your life?

I would say my father has been the single biggest influence in my life. he has been an amazing person and taught me that hard work can take u places and shown me how to be a man and take great care of a family

Why should we root for you to win this season?

You should root for me to win this season of the ultimate fighter because i've paid my dues.. i've been in big fights.. i've fought my way to where i'm at; i've fought tough guys and not padded my record. i'm very hard working and just love to fight. i'm not doing this for any other reason of the love of the sport. and loving to entertain the fans

What is something that people would be surprised to know about you?

Something that people would be surprised to know about me is that i am currently a union plumber and pipefitter as well as a professional fighter.

Favorite walkout song?

Drake - over

Kyle Watson

What or Who first inspired you to get into martial arts?

That is not an easy answer. I have been asked this many times, but it’s hard to put a finger on. Growing up, I was always intrigued by that universal struggle between good and evil, and the hero versus the villain.

It started with G.I. Joe and He-man when I was young and carried over to comic books through grade school. Then from high school to college it went from Bruce Lee and Van Damme movies to the UFC.

I know that many kids read comics and watch fighting movies and never become professional fighters, but for me those things seemed to lay the foundation for an interest in the combat arts.

Then combine this with my intense competitive nature, and I feel that I was destined to be a fighter. Lastly, there were no martial arts in the small town I grew up in, so I was unable to test the waters until college.

Maybe the unavailability made me desire it more. Who knows? Maybe if I had taken Karate or Tae Kwon Do as a youth, I might not be interested fighting the way I am today.

Either way, I am very glad I found the path I did even if I can’t quite explain it. At this point, I wouldn’t trade it for anything!"

Who is your favorite fighter right now, and why?

My favorite fighter is one of the coaches this season, which I might not be able to discuss at this point. So another fighter who I am a big fan of is BJ Penn.

First off, I am always a little more biased towards BJJ guys because of my background and love for the sport. But BJ, despite some of the drama about steroids and greasing, is one of the pound-for-pound best in the world.

He can do everything well, and you can usually tell by his walkout whether he will win or not. He has this extreme look of focus and seems unstoppable.

And before Frankie Edgar, every No. 1 contender he faced seemed to be a tough matchup, and then he destroyed them, like they weren’t even in his league.

I love his well-roundedness and his ability to put you in danger at any point in the fight. There are so many other fighters who I am a fan of, it’s hard to pick just one.

Who are you? : A Striker, A Wrestler, or Submission Specialist?

I am all three. Anyone that looks at my record and pedigree would probably argue that I am a submission guy, but to reach the top these days you have to be good at all three.

I am constantly working to tighten up any holes in my game and to be as well-rounded as possible. I want to be comfortable wherever the fight goes and be able to bring constant pressure.

When you are versatile enough to adjust your game mid-fight, then it is much easier to take your opponent out of their element. I feel that I am more than just a submission guy, and instead, I am a true mixed martial arts athlete.

If you weren’t a fighter, what would you be doing right now?

Before fighting full time, I was the Operations Manager for a Kaplan Center. They provide prep-courses and tutoring for people who want to excel on standardized tests that will get them into college or gradschool (i.e. GRE, ACT, MCAT).

I was responsible for running the business which included managing teachers, advising students, paying bills, and a host of other administrative tasks.

It was very busy and sometimes stressful, but it was also very rewarding. And oddly enough, my opportunity to join the H.I.T. Squad presented itself at an awkward time and forced me to make one of the toughest decisions of my life.

The very same week that I was contacted by the gym to interview for the coaching position, Kaplan offered me a big promotion that would place me in downtown Chicago.

That position would have been much more stressful but a lucrative career move. So I had a few days to decide between an office job that would provide me with a stability and financial security, and my dream job with a less than certain future. I quit my job and took a chance.

It’s not every day that you get a call from a former world champion, asking you to come do your dream job full-time.

I made a lot of sacrifices like leaving my friends and everything I had known for the past 10 years, but it was the best decision I could have made.

My life is stress free, and I literally wake up every day and love to go to my job. But, if I hadn’t taken this opportunity or if I wasn’t fighting, I would probably still be working for Kaplan and living in the suburbs of Chicago.

And while that would be an okay situation, it couldn’t compare to what I get to experience now.

Where did you grow up, and how has it made you the man you are today?

I grew up in small farming community in central Illinois (Raymond) with a population of about a thousand people.

I had a modest upbringing with both parents being teachers, but my childhood was great. It was a stable family life with two supportive parents and two siblings.

My mother and father were very caring and they always made me feel like I could do anything I set my mind to. And while being in a small town limited my options for sports and extracurricular activities, I feel that it was a great place to grow up.

Everyone was friendly, helpful, and overall, it was a safe place. I feel like this type of upbringing has made me the outgoing, confident person I am today.

Why should the other fighters on the show fear you?

My rugged good looks and striking resemblance to Walker – Texas Ranger. All jokes aside, they have many reasons to fear me. I am one of the most experienced guys on the show, and I have been in the cage with some great lightweights.

Also, I am very well-rounded and I continue to sharpen my skills daily at one of the best camps, the H.I.T. Squad. I train day and night with several UFC veterans and talented up-and-comers.

In my fights, I push the pace and I am always looking to finish the fight. I guarantee when Dana asks the other contestants who they want to fight, I will be at the bottom of everyone’s list.

Quick Pick: Bruce Lee or Chuck Norris?

While Chuck does have a sweet beard and deadly roundhouse kicks, that outcome is impossible to decide. Such an epic battle would probably destroy the world as we know it, and there would be no survivors to see who won.

Are you going to be the resident bad boy this season?

No bad boy here. I might tell some awful jokes and sing out of key, but other than that I am pretty tame.

I have been doing this a long time, and I am well past the chest puffing, tough guy act. I feel at this point in your career if you get intimidated by someone trying to play the bad boy role, then you probably don’t belong on the show.

I am older and more mature (I use that term loosely), than a lot of the guys, so I don’t feel the need to play those games anymore. I definitely understand the psychological warfare and the attention a little drama might get you, but I feel like it’s a waste of energy.

I would rather get along with everyone, and save my energy and focus for training and the fights themselves.

Who has been the single biggest influence in your life?

"Of course I wouldn’t be anywhere without the support of my parents, but aside from them I would saythe biggest influence in my life has been my jiu-jitsu coach, Jack McVicker.

He has greatly impacted my life in many ways, and he has been a great role model for the last 11 years that I have known him.

Obviously, he molded my jiu-jitsu ability, but much of what I have learned from him wasn’t from what he said, more from what he did.

He as always led by example and served as inspiration for setting goals and achieving them. He has always been a fantastic instructor as well as an amazing competitor.

And most importantly, he shows great integrity in everything he does. Jack is one who gave me the passion formartial arts and ultimately influenced me to make it into a career.

Why should we root for you to win this season?

You should root for me this season for several reasons. Besides being hilarious, tough, and totally awesome, I am also very modest ... haha.

Obviously I like to joke around, but to be honest I feel that the fans will be able to relate to me. I am an average guy from an average background who decided to put in the work and dedication it takes to become above average.

Unless I am in the cage, I always try not to take myself too seriously. Some fighters get caught up in their own hype and their heads inflate exponentially.

I try to stay humble and treat everyone with respect. And to get others’ respect, I work hard, lead by example, and always act with integrity.

I may not give the fans some crazy drama, but usually with me you can at least count on a laugh and an exciting fight.

What is something that people would be surprised to know about you?

I am a little obsessed with Family Guy, to the point that I have three puppies (two Pugs and a Boston Terrier) named Brian, Stewie, and Quagmire.

I am trying to teach the latter one to say “giggity,” but I haven’t had much success so far.

Favorite walkout song?

I have come out several times to “Natural Born Killers,” by Ice Cube and Dr. Dre. It’s probably not a song you would ask your mother to listen to, but it gets my mind ready.

In the beginning of my career, I would usually come out to some kind of heavy rock like Korn or Godsmack, etc.

But I noticed that that kind of music gets me too pumped up and my heart rate rises, which can affect your breathing.

So after a while Ichanged to hip hop. I noticed that I when I come out to something like Jay-Z, I get into a better groove and I am able to relax a lot more.

Don't Forget To Tune In Sept.15!

The Ultimate Fighter Season 12 premieres Wednesday, Sept. 15 on Spike @10P/9c

For more information on the show, go to www.spike.com

To see part 1 of this series click here:

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/444349-tuf-season-12-team-gsp-vs-team-koscheck-the-dirty-dozen-pt1

Follow Will Anderson on Twitter

Will Anderson is growing into a juggernaut on the MMA media scene. While his articles are both thought provoking and entertaining, it's his drive to share his passion of the sport with others by creating a platform for other aspiring writers to display their work. 

Will is a contributor to both RealSportsNet.com and Bleacher Report; in addition, he has also made guest appearances on The Sprawl N Brawl internet radio show ( http://www.blogtalkradio.com/sprawlnbrawl ), as well as creating the fast growing facebook group: The MMA Writer's Block. 

On top of all that, he still finds time to study Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under Eduardo Santos of Lotus Club. 

To keep up with this rising star, follow him on Twitter: 

@CageCrusader