The Ultimate Fighter 9: Episode 12 Recap with Jason Dent

TUF 9 Team USA member Jason Dent recaps Episodes 11 & 12 and looks ahead to the TUF 9 Finale

Pro Fighting Fans' Editor-in-Chief Scott Dryden interviews The Ultimate Fighter Season #9 member Jason Dent in what has become a weekly column. Dent discusses the final episode, Episode 12, of The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 9 which originally aired on June 17, 2009 and saw James Wilkes of Team U.K. defeat Frank Lester of Team U.S. to advance to The Ultimate Fighter 9 finale on Saturday night, June 20th. Dent also discusses Episode 11 where Dent fought Team U.K. member Ross Pearson and lost a Unanimous Decision.

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SD- What happened in the (Episode 11) loss to Pearson?

JD- I think the fight was shaping up to be a really good war. Ross was a little more athletic than me. I didn’t get to do as much striking as I would have liked. The 1st & 2nd rounds were awesome. In the 3rd round I completely gassed. I have never gassed in my life. All of my muscles were just swollen and I was exhausted.

SD- What were your thoughts regarding Cameron Dollar losing to Andre Winner via a Triangle Choke?

JD- I would have liked to have seen one of us U.S. guys in the finals. As much as Dollar and I don’t get along I was rooting for him because he represented the US.

SD- What is it like when leaving the show in terms of Henderson, your teammates and Dana White?

JD- Dana takes everyone out to dinner and a night out on the town. It was our last night so we wrapped it up and everyone said their goodbyes. Dan Henderson and I talked after the cameras were turned off. He said you know Dent you are pretty cool when the cameras aren’t on you.

SD- Who are you picking between Ross Pearson & Andre Winner in the Lightweight bout?

JD- I have to pick Ross. I always want to see guys who defeat me do well.

SD- Who do you pick in the Welterweight final between James Wilks and DaMarques Johnson?

JD- You know as a person I like James better but I would like to see a U.S. guy win a title. Training with them and seeing both of them I just don’t think James can compete with DaMarques Johnson’s boxing skills plus he leaves his chin up. Plus DaMarques is good on the ground as well.

SD- Now you are competing at The Ultimate Fighter Finale versus an unnamed opponent, although many sources say it’s Cameron Dollar. Talk about the thrill of competing in the UFC and facing your nemesis Dollar.

JD- It is awesome fighting for the UFC. They are the #1 organization in the world right now and have been for years. It is an honor and I’m excited. Obviously I want to win and continue to fight in the UFC and earn bigger paychecks. This is kind of like the Junie Browning situation. I really don’t want to lose to Dollar but it’s a fight so I just got to roll the dice in Vegas on Saturday.

SD- Are there any stated contingencies on the fight meaning if you win you get X amount of fights with the UFC?

JD- No not really. They just tell you to win. If you win the better chance you have. It is really a per fight basis. You obviously know you will be around if you win. Being on the Ultimate Fighter they take really good care of you but you have to win the first couple.

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SD- How has your game evolved since leaving the show?

JD- My wrestling defense is a little better. My takedowns are a little bit better. I learned some new conditioning techniques and drills.

SD- You and I discussed your nutrition and conditioning some time back. Do you feel you are in the best shape of your career?

JD- I feel better. I’m physically in better shape for the fight on Saturday than I was for the fights on the show. I do think I can go a lot further in terms of nutrition and lifting.

SD- Thanks a lot Jason for giving us an inside look at this season. We wish you the best of luck.

Visit Jason Dent's gym online at www.griffonrawl-ohio.com.

By Scott Dryden
ProFighting-fans.com Editor-in-Chief

> Find all of our The Ultimate Fighter 9 recaps & reviews online with Pro Fighting Fans and check out The Ultimate Fighter 9 results!

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