This will be the final TUF 10 column with Zak Jensen. Starting with this week’s show, Mike Wessel will take over and give us his personal insight into each episode.
BumpyKnuckle.com: Were you guys surprised at how good Marcus looked on the ground?
Zak: No I was not, he has great hips and his armbar is his bread and butter. He would go for that all the time when we rolled or did full MMA sparring.
BumpyKnuckle.com: Is Marcus’ expertise on the ground? Up to this point we know he’s big, but they haven’t mentioned much on his overall skills.
Zak: He is really good on the ground; it is by far his strong suit.
BumpyKnuckle.com: How much damage was done to Mike Wessel’s arm?
Zak: It was messed up; he just had to rest and ice. It was his whole arm not just his elbow, his shoulder was messed up also.
BumpyKnuckle.com: Were you thinking about training with Rashad when he offered to help you guys train?
Zak: No I would never disrespect my coach like that. Any other time or scenario I would have jumped at the opportunity to train with Phil Nurse and all the other coaches that Rashad had brought in.
BumpyKnuckle.com: Did anything change in terms of training now that the quarterfinals were set?
Zak: No not really. We still practiced; it was just more focused on Marcus.
BumpyKnuckle.com: Do you think Rampage has been portrayed as the “bad guy?”
Zak: No, just a bad coach, and by his own admission he is not a coach.
BumpyKnuckle.com: Was it hard continuing to train and be in the house after being eliminated?
Zak: Yes but you just have to get all you can out of the rest of the time and also be ready if the opportunity arises to get a second shot.
BumpyKnuckle.com: How did the experience affect the way you look at the UFC and MMA in general?
Zak: It showed me that I need a lot of work. I knew I needed work on my ground but it showed me how much work I really need to do. I have to go back to the drawing board and do the work I need to do.
BumpyKnuckle.com: Anything you’d like to say about the experience or anything in particular you want to say to those watching the show?
Zak: It was a great opportunity and I would do it again in a heartbeat even though all the BS with Sims and the seclusion. It was a once-in-a-lifetime thing and I will always remember it.
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