Jesse Taylor

Jesse Taylor Interview

 

Hi Jesse,

Thank you for taking the time to sit down with MMABAY and answer a few of our questions:

Mmabay - Could you tell us about your background before being on the "Ultimate Fighter" in terms of home and fighting background?

Jesse - I’m from Poway, CA. Have a great wrestling Base. Train out of Team Quest Temecula with the best guys in the world. A great camp, plus I had an impressive record I got the call to do it and jumped at the opportunity from there my fight game has continued to improve.

Mmabay - How much of a shock was it to you, finding out you had to fight to get into the house?

Jesse - Shocked I was but thrilled to get right to business

Mmabay - How much did you take away from the show after being coached for a number of weeks by Forrest and his team?

Jesse – A lot got better, really like Forrest and he doesn’t know it but he’s a very motivating and wise person, learned a lot from him and his training just really really hard all the time!

Mmabay - It looked like there was a lot of pressure in the house at time and a number of guys let off steam by wrecking the house or getting under the skin of other. One fighter to try and get under your skin was Jeremy May. Why do you think this was and what are your feelings towards him now?

Jesse - He’s an ignorant asshole, a horrible fighter, and did not deserve to be on the show, He was there for attention that’s it and there were much better fighter than him the first day, he got lucky beat someone and was on the show.

Mmabay - We witnessed a transformation in you towards the end of the season from Jesse Taylor to an "alter ego" JT Money, could you tell us more about the name and reasoning behind the sudden change?

Jesse - Hah, what could I say. I am JT MONEY, always have been, that’s my fight name and that’s just me IM money, JT Money. check out my website, yojtmoney.com, to find out how it all came about.

Mmabay - Have you looked to add other parts to your game to compliment your wrestling base in order to become a more well rounded mixed martial artist?

Jesse - I’m very well rounded but could always be more. On the show I used my wrestling to get me through. I cannot wait to fight a better wrestler or fight someone who could stop my  wrestling cause I got a lot more, but why use it if one things working. If it aint broke don’t fix it, I have more and the world will eventually see I just chose to play it safe win my fights and to use my wrestling to win all of them. That’s a big contract.

Mmabay - You must get asked a lot since the show about the final episode and your removal from the show. You have since stated that it was the biggest regret of your life and that you are finished with alcohol. How clear are you on what happened that night and are you still renouncing alcohol?

Jesse - I checked it out, I’m definitely not an alcoholic but it was a big awakening moment and I learned a lot. I’m a young kid who fucked up, but don’t consider myself an alcoholic. I think some peeps over reacted. Have you guys ever been to Vegas and just got completely fucked up. Think about living in a house for six weeks then getting let out. Yah I fucked up and have to change some things and have, I’m defiantly taking fighting more serious and not drinking before fights anymore however I do not consider myself an alcoholic.

Mmabay - How has your life changed since doing the show, are you recognised when you go out, ect?

Jesse - Yah things are crazy. I’m recognised everywhere all the time. Its cool, and I enjoy fighting for the people but leave me alone when I’m with my son and baby mama! haha

Mmabay - Could you tell us if you managed to contact Dana and the UFC about your future, a contract and a much rumoured fight with C.B. Dollaway on July 19th?

Jesse - All I’m doing is training very hard so if that fight is true I’ll be ready. we have to wait and see

Mmabay - Finally, with UFC 86 just around the corner and having spent so much time with both Forrest and Rampage, how do you see the fight going between them?

Jesse - Forrest will out work and hustle him, he will keep moving and avoid the knockout. Forest will prevail

Mmabay - Thanks again for the time you have afforded us and I'd like to personally wish you well in moving forward in your career. Would you like to say anything to anyone before we wrap it up?

Jesse - Much love to you peoples and everyone for the matter

Mmabay - Thanks again Jesse

(An exclusive interview for mmabay.co.uk)