The Ultimate Fighter 10 - Episode 11 Recap with Roy Nelson

TUF 10 contestant Roy Nelson discusses the Quarterfinal & Semifinal fights from Episode 11

Pro Fighting Fans' Editor-in-Chief Scott Dryden interviews The Ultimate Fighter Season #10 member Roy "Big Country" Nelson in what has become a weekly column here at ProFighting-fans.com, your source for UFC news. In addition to being a contestant on The Ultimate Fighter 10 heavyweights, Nelson is also a former IFL Heavyweight Champion. In this edition, Nelson discusses Episode 11 of The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 10 which originally aired on December 2, 2009 which included Nelson's Semifinal victory over James McSweeney to advance to the TUF 10 Finale. For past and future TUF 10 updates, continue to look to ProFighting-fans.com each week.

SD- What were your thoughts seeing Kimbo turning down a possible fight?

RN- My thought on Kimbo turning down the fight was that he knows what is best for him.

SD- What was the feeling around the house leading up to the McSweeney vs. Meat Head match-up?

RN-The house was weird because everyone did not like Matt but we all started not to like James for picking on Zak, so we did not know who to cheer for.

Roy "Big Country" Nelson - TUF 10 Finalist

SD- Wow how about the injury to Junk.  Do you have an update on him?

RN-Scott's eye is doing great he is training and looking for his next fight.

SD- Wow Big Baby exploded.  What were your thoughts as you stood by him?

RN-When Marcus exploded all I could think was what did you do now Matt...

SD- Wow, your thoughts on Meat Head’s tap out.  It didn’t look tight?

RN-He shouldn't have tapped, it wasn't tight; he should have gotten out and not quit.

SD- What was the consensus in the house leading up to the Schoonover vs. Jones fight?

RN-We wanted Darrill to win because he was on our team but wanted Marcus to win because we all liked him.

SD- Impressive power by Jones.

RN-Marcus, is the strongest guy that I know as a heavyweight.

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SD- You drew James McSweeney.  What your initial thoughts and the additional stabs by Dana White?

RN- My thoughts on James was he is a K-1 guy so I should have the advantage on the ground, so I took it there.

SD- Your thoughts coming in on Brendan vs. Marcus?

RN-I thought Brendan had the better stand up and Marcus has the better ground, so it was really who ever controlled the fight.

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SD- More Rashad/Rampage theatrics.  Got to love it.

RN-I thought it was old so I waited in the van.

SD- Did you ever see Rampage without Tiki by his side?

RN- No, everywhere Rampage was, he was assisting. I mean assistant coach.

SD- How about the pink room?

RN-The room was pink, but not funny. I felt bad for the guys who had to waste their time painting.

SD- Wow Zak finally exploded.  Do you think the guys took it a little too far?

RN- Yes, but I thought they took it too far about day four with Zak not five weeks in.

SD- How were your nerves coming into the fight?

RN- The same as the other fights except I wanted to go home.

SD- Very impressive Roy.  Smart victory.  You seemed to turn it on once he started talking trash.

RN- I just knew when we both connected with our hooks he was hurt. That is why he acted cocky so then I hit him with the right hand and that was it.

SD- You even got praise from Dana White, wow!

RN-I won all three fights in 5 weeks - that is impressive for anyone's standards.

SD- How long was it after your fight when Brendan fought Marcus?

RN- We fought ten or so minutes apart. So I watched Brendan fight Marcus and was ready to go home right after to my real bed.

SD- You face a surprising opponent Brendan Schaub.  Talk about the challenges he brings as you compete for the six figure contract.

RN- The challenges with Brendan are he comes from a great camp, (Greg Jackson's), he trains with some of the most talented fighters out there with Shane Carwin, Rashad, GSP, Keith Jardine, and the list goes on and on. He was a professional athlete before, he has power in his hands, he can grapple, and he could be the next Ultimate Fighter, but he has to get past me first.

SD- Good luck Roy.  We look forward to seeing you on the Finale.