Bristol Marunde’s Ultimate Fighter Blog: Week Twelve

What a long adventure it’s been!

With the last fights finished, the conclusion of the TUF experiment has finally arrived. I served my time and freedom is near. The light at the end of the tunnel was fast approaching.

The time spent in the TUF house was a roller coaster of ups and downs full of fighting, cutting weight and surviving the constant threat of practical jokes.

Looking at my time spent in the house, was it worth it? Leaving my family for seven weeks, putting ‘life’ on hold for a chance at fighting in the UFC?

I answer by saying: I did it, I survived and did well, but you couldn’t pay me enough money to go back and do it again. I’ve been there and there’s no looking back. I’m moving forward in my career. I learned the lessons I was meant to and took what I needed from it.

The friendships and the time spent with my teammates made it survivable. Without them, I wouldn’t have been able to do it.

The physical aspect was nothing compared to the mental strain of being away from my family. I refuse to be away from my son and girlfriend ever again. I won’t let that happen.

I enjoy fighting and I’m good at it, but I can’t be locked up.

I look forward to my next fight. I hope it’s in the UFC, because that’s where I belong.