Incase you guys missed the UFC and want to see highlights and clips of the fights etc. You can tune into The Fight Network tonight after UCC 10 and see the post UFC 62 show hosted by myself and Randy Couture.
I just returned from Vegas where I covered UFC 62 for The Fight Network, hosting both the UFC 62 Pre Show and Post Show that covered the events leading up to UFC 62 including the weigh-in's, pre event press conference, the post fight press conference and wrap up show.
It's an honor to be working side-by-side with Randy Couture and with The Fight Network. I've never worked with a group of people and a company with so much genuine passion and love for our sport and combat sports in general, it's very refreshing and look forward to working with them in the future.
Ryan Bennett is, was and will always be the man. It's hard stepping into his spot and trying to be as good as he was, but thankfully I've worked with some amazing people in this sport so hopefully I'll be half as good as he was. He is unreplaceable and will be greatly missed.
Have to say thanks to a few people in no specific order for helping me get here, without them, it wouldn't be happening.
Joe Ferraro, you silly bastard. I vow that we WILL work together again in this sport, things happen, donkey's come and go...some are still here...but we WILL rock it again like NO OTHER team in MMA broadcasting.
Forum brothers JHR, Kellett, Dougie, Crazyhook, Guardbr8kr, the list goes on. You guys are all top notch and keep smiles on my face daily with the things that go on here. Dougie, did you ever get that DVD ? Jason St.Louis for showing me the triangle choke about 6 years ago and subsiquently using it to choke out Canario at the 2005 Showdown Open. Big Frankie, Loaf for yelling at me to "...climb !" during my last fight in TKO before winning by what else ? Triangle/armbar in the first round. If I missed anyone (Which I'm certain that I did...) I'm sorry and I DO love you all as well.
People will laugh, call me nuts, read in disbelief etc, but Stephane Patry was instrumental in getting me The Fight Network deal and bringing parties together. Do people still have issues with him ? Likely, but I'm glad that mine are behind me. Some would even argue that I "...sold out" This is not the case for the basic fact that in order to "sell out" you have to 1) Do something that you don't want to do and 2) Be paid very handsomely for doing it.
Neither of these hold true, I went back to TKO for a variety of reasons, all of which I'm happy about. So, thanks to Stephane for helping me out.
Oh, and thanks to Pete Rodley for consistantly making me laugh very loud everyday. You are the man.
I hope you guys enjoy the show, it was great shooting it and being a part of UFC 62. Now, on to Anaheim for UFC 63 !
Take care,
J.T.