Ahead of the start of The Ultimate Fighter 10, we caught up with cast member Mike Wessel to talk about his time on the show.

First of all Mike, how you doing buddy?

Things could not be better. Just enjoying time with my wife and training.

You’re fresh from the season on the Ultimate Fighter – how did everything go?

Things went really well. I really am not a fan of being cooped up for seven weeks but you got to do what you got to do in this sport.

It must have been a fantastic experience – how different was it from your everyday training?

First, it was not a fantastic experience; it’s like jail with training. But, honestly the training kicked ass. I loved that. It was completely different than my previous training, but it was a good model to how I train now. That was the best thing about this season – how great the coaches were and that they really seemed to care about our training. That made the house seem bearable for a lot of the time.

But, the house was fun too. I need to stop being such a bitch!

The pressure must have been insane – how difficult was it to keep up your training throughout the show?

The pressure was not a big deal, but not having your personal comforts like normal was the most difficult part. It was not hard training two times a day because that was the only thing we got to do, so I looked forward to training and going to the gym. But, that’s how I am normally anyway. It just sucked when you had a bad day because you didn’t have what you are used to having to make it better.

We recently spoke to Roy Nelson and he said it was a case of watching the sun, going the gym and then sleeping. How mentally draining was the whole experience?

Roy is right. That’s how it went till the last week and half of the show. It honestly was just like being in prison. But in prison you get TV, phone, reading material and conjugal visits. We just got to order any food we wanted. So, it was tough and I did things there I would never do. But that’s how reality TV is.

Of course, this isn’t the first time you’ve been chasing the UFC dream – you faced Antoni Hardonk at UFC 92. What are your thoughts on that fight?

I was in Vegas for ten days enjoying my vacation and getting married. As soon as I got off the plane, Joe Silva called and said I need to fly back. I loved the opportunity but I knew I was not in fighting shape.

I really at that time was not training much because I was having problems getting fights. But, I did what I had to do; I gave it my best and went till I could not go anymore. Shit, that’s all I could do.

I wanted to win, but I was not ready. I think I showed that I could fight and that I have what it takes.

A tough fight – on nine days notice – would be hard for the best of fighters. If you were to fight Hardonk again, how different would your preparation be?

It would be completely different. I would have not gone to Vegas to party for ten days previous for starters. But, I would have had time to condition myself and that’s why I lost.

I love the story about how you got picked for that fight. Is it true you introduced yourself to Joe Silva a few days earlier and when you returned home, he’d left you a call?

Yeah!!! At the TUF 8 finale weight-ins I walked up to Dana and Joe and told them that I would fight on short notice if they needed someone and Joe took that and gave me a chance. He called the day I got off the plane and said get your medicals together and you’re in.

You didn’t return to the UFC after the loss – were you cut or was it a case of Dana or Joe asking you to go on the Ultimate Fighter when you got back to the locker room?

Well we talked in February, about when my next opportunity would be and Joe said I would probably not fight till August or September at the earliest. Then a week later Roli Delgado said that he talked to some people and that I need to fly out to Seattle for the TUF 10 tryouts. So that’s how it happened.

Did the loss against Hardonk prepare you for the TUF season?

No, the show and real fights have nothing to do with each other. The show is for ratings but it gave me my opportunity to be on the show. At least a better one than I had if I didn’t fight Hardonk.

Of course, it couldn’t prepare you for the media expectation. Constantly in the limelight – how cool was that?

I am kind of used to it because of football. Plus, the media doesn’t really bother me. I am easy to talk to and tell you how I feel even if you don’t ask. But, I enjoyed it and just ran with it. But it is fun to go eat somewhere and have people ask for your autograph and to take a picture. That’s really fun and cool for me.

One man who has been given a lot of attention is Kimbo Slice. What is Kimbo like in person and what can we expect from him on the next season?

Kimbo is such a kick ass guy. He is really funny and such a good cook. The guy is making his money just like everyone else but he is good at what he does. That’s sell tickets and hype. Kimbo has his shit together and knows exactly what he needs to do to get his. I have a lot of respect for him. He has more to lose than anyone else by being on the show. Shit, if I lost, people would expect that, but if he loses its really bad for him publicly. So he has some BIG BALLS to take this chance.

How surprised were you wish the level of fighters that got picked for that show? There were some pretty tough guys in there after all…

I am not surprised at all how they picked us. They needed legit fighters and they got 16 of them. Not one of the fighters was bad or slufs. Plus, most of us were (going) to fight each other at one time or other. I knew about five guys previous to going in, so I knew the calibre of fighters in the house. Plus TUF needed better fighters to get the ratings they are seeking.

Trust me, after this season they will get whatever they want. It’s a great season and every fight is awesome. I promise.

Was there anyone you looked at on the first day and wished you were on the same team as?

No, I knew it would be a tough cast and I really never cared who I fight. If I do what I do and am healthy I win. So, I was not worried about teams. I was worried about which coach I had though.

Interesting you say that – Rashad Evans and Quinton Jackson were the coaches on the show. How were both guys to work with?

Rampage is really cool off camera, but when the camera is going I don’t like him too much because it’s a loud mouth act and I don’t like acts. If you’re a loud mouth then be one but don’t act like something you’re not.

Rashad was just chill. He seemed to care about his team more and wanted to teach rather than to boost his own career from the show. Rashad wanted everyone on his team to have the opportunity that he had and to learn from his coaches and what to do after the show.

Rampage was more concerned about his acting career and what was happening after his practice than what was happening during it. But, I like Rampage – when the cameras are off.

Of course, the season has yet to start for us to watch yet – we were wondering if we could ask for your opinion on the following:

Who was the toughest guy on the show?

Toughest guy at a BBQ is Kimbo. Toughest guy to beat on is Darrill. Toughest Guy to figure out is James Mcsweeny. Toughest guy because of his size is Wes Shivers – he’s huge.

Toughest head is Scott Junk‘s. Toughest to get under is Brendon. Toughest on the ground is Roy. That should cover it all!

Who was the most dedicated fighter in training?

We all were but probably John Madsen, Brendon Schaub or Scott Junk. But everyone hit it hard the whole time. At least on my team.

How about the least dedicated fighter in training?

I can’t call him out but he shouldn’t be fighting anymore.

Who was the joker in the house?

Brendon, Wren, Darrel, James, Scott were all hilarious. I don’t think I have laughed so hard but those guys made the house fun and funny to watch.

Who drank the most beer in there?

Darrill, that guy can drink and compete too. He is a beast in the cage and in the liquor cabinet.

Who had the best dress sense?

Shit, we all wore Tapout or UFC gear. We all dressed the same all the time. They gave us the same clothes, so we would wear the same shit!

How about – who had the worst taste in music?

We were not allowed to listen to music…EVER. So, I really would not know. That sucked – we didn’t even know MJ died.

Who was the biggest moaner?

I can’t say that, but watch it and you’ll know right away.

Looking ahead, you could be a UFC fighter in the coming months. Who would you love to fight on their roster right now?

Hardonk, I want that one back. But, I would also like to fight the Duffee kid. I went to ATT and he did not like me much.

That would be an awesome fight – let’s hope Joe Silva is reading. Finally Mike, what can we expect from you for the rest of the year and why should people watch you on The Ultimate Fighter?

Man, look for me to make an impact one way or another. I am training my ass off and ready to prove that I am a killer and deserve to fight the best. But you should watch the show because I am a crazy fucker when I am locked in a house and don’t have my wife. Haha! The world should be glad she keeps me at bay.

You’ll have to have a beer with us next time you’re in the UK! Thanks for your time Mike and all the best on The Ultimate Fighter!

Definitely, I love beer and I want come to the UK. Thanks!

The Ultimate Fighter 10 premieres Wednesday, September 16 on Spike TV in North America and in the United Kingdom and Ireland on Saturday, September 19 on FiveUSA.

Martin Smith
martin@ifight365.com