JESSE TAYLOR PUTTING THE PAST BEHIND

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JESSE TAYLOR PUTTING THE PAST BEHIND
Saturday, July 19, 2008 - by Jeff Cain - MMAWeekly.com

Jesse "JT Money" Taylor advanced to the finals of The Ultimate Fighter Season 7, but was released from the show and kicked out of the finale for his destructive behavior following the filming on the popular reality series on Spike TV.

Taylor makes his official Ultimate Fighting Championship debut July 19 against the man who replaced him in the finals, C.B. Dollaway, in an effort to put the past behind him and prove he belongs in mixed martial arts' premier organization.

"It's a dream come true to come back. And I'm more ready than ever," Taylor told MMAWeekly.com. "I can't wait to get back in there."

After his drunken tirade on the show, Taylor was unsure if he'd be given the opportunity to fight in the UFC. "I was definitely worried, but I'm definitely not one to hold my head down and dwell in self pity," said the middleweight prospect. "I wanted to get back out there... I'll fight anyone. I'm just happy to be back in there.

"It was a good opportunity. I wish that I could have fought for that contract. But I'm happy to be in the UFC," added Taylor. "I had the chance of a lifetime, and I actually did well. It was more of a letdown for myself... The biggest letdown was definitely for myself knowing that it was my contract, and the last night I went out and got a little too wild and I couldn't fight for that contract. I felt that I would have won, so it was definitely tough."

Jesse Taylor's first obstacle in the UFC pits him against a guy who defeated him in wrestling in college. But Taylor doesn't put much stock in college wrestling wins translating into wins in mixed martial arts.

"He beat me in college wrestling. Fighting and wrestling, especially MMA wrestling, are two entirely different things," commented the Californian. "College was a few years ago.

"I have more in my arsenal than I got to use on the show. It's a great test for me. I get to show people the other stuff that I have. I think it's a great stylistic match up and I think it's a great fight for me."

[john55]

I hope jesse kicks some a$$. I did not like CB at all.

Too bad I have to be at a wedding, sweating my butt off in a suit when its 100 degrees outside the same night free UFC is on spike