This
blog is going to be very different than any of the other
blog’s from the show. During the show I kept a day
to day personal journey about my experiences on the show.
It is very personal but will give you insight into the mind
and feelings of a fighter going through this very difficult
process that we have come to know and love as the Ultimate
Fighter.
"Crazy" Tim Credeur’s Ultimate Fighter
7 Journal Episode 4
Day
10
Today
I really miss my wife. She is really just an emotional and
mental rock in my life. Seeing her in tears at the airport
really crushed my heart but at the same time it inspired
me to do my thing for real.
I
am weighing 188 and I have to make weight at 186 tomorrow,
which is really no problem for me. I just feel amped up
and ready to go. I know that I have made all the sacrifices
it takes to get myself the W against Matt Riddle. I know
the kid is talented and will one day soon be a great fighter
in the sport but I am going to smash him in our fight and
there is just no doubt about it at all. I train with bigger,
stronger guys and with better wrestlers. The kid is in for
a really tough day at the office no doubt. I worked really
light in the gym after I called him out at the fight announcements
today. I just want to give my body the opportunity to rest
up and fully heal itself.
We
watched the UFC tonight at the house and it was really awesome
to watch all of the jiu-jitsu guys prevail so heavily. I
was really sad about my friend Kyle Bradley’s showing
against Chris Lytle. It just looked like something was really
off with him and he kept tricking his knee out or something.
Regardless I have to put that behind me and go do my thing
in 2 days. Beauseant!!!
Day
11
Today
we weighed in for my fight at 4 pm. I only had about 2 or
3 pounds to cut to get at 186. It was an easy cut for me.
At morning practice I mentioned to Forrest that I was planning
on either working out a deal with ATT in Fort Lauderdale
or even coming to Vegas to prepare and get ready for the
finale in June or July. He actually offered for me to come
and stay with him in his house and train fulltime with him
for the finale. There were about 5 of us sitting there but
he only offered me that specific opportunity. I was really
once again taken aback by the offer and by Forrest’s
kindness. He really seems to like and respect me a lot as
well as all of the guys on the team. I am so appreciative
and I am pretty sure I am going to go to Vegas to train
with him and his team for the big show. If I do that I could
always make weekend runs to San Diego to train with my master
Rodrigo Medeiros.
At
the weigh-ins I stared down Riddle pretty good and he seemed
to be letting the mental game get to him a little. Eventually
he could not look at me in the eyes any more. I can just
tell I am in his head a little bit and I plan on using that
and be aggressive and go out there to destroy him from the
first bell until the end of the fight. I know I can do five
five-minute rounds if need be so just two or three will
not be a problem for me at all. Of course I know the kid
has awesome power in his hands but I won’t put my
hands down and I will not make the same mistake that Dan
Simmler made in his fight. I did kind of befriend Simmler
before this whole thing so I also look at this fight as
getting one back for him and for Jiu-Jitsu guys as a whole,
even though Riddle has some Jits I consider him a wrestler
mostly.
I
plan on striking until he wants to wrestle and then I am
going to wear him out. When he is really tired I do plan
on picking up the pressure and forcing him to make some
serious mistakes that will allow the opportunity to capitalize
on them by knocking him out or submitting him. If I get
the submission, then I do, but I want to keep it standing
and bang on him a pretty good first to be honest. I am really
excited and amped to just show the world what I have been
training to do for most of my life. This kid is awesome
but he is nowhere near my level and when I get him into
the deep water late in the fight I know my experience and
technique will finish him off. Tomorrow I intend to prove
to myself and everyone else that I am no lucky fighter,
I am a contender and I plan on winning this whole show and
I am going to prove that.
Day
12
I
woke up pretty early at about 8 am and I made myself my
traditional pre-fight breakfast, which consists of eggs
sunny side up, bacon and whole-wheat toast. I felt good.
I left for the gym at 11:30 to be with the team during their
practice and then I just stuck around for my fight. I took
Forrest’s advice and did a really killer 30 minute
warm-up that completely blew my first wind out in the locker
room and had me ready to fight. The Legendary STITCH wrapped
my hands and I swore I would keep them after the fight.
I
was amped up and when they said it was go time I was ready.
I got into the ring first and then came Riddle. The fight
was just surreal. We went back and forth over and over.
I thought he was finished at the end of the first round.
I was landing some heavy punches and elbows but that kid
is all heart and he never quit. I was very proud of his
warrior spirit and the way he fought, the kid is a beast
and mark my words he will be a force in MMA in a couple
years. The bell saved him from the punishment at the end
of the first round.
The
second round was more back and forth with him catching me
pretty good standing and trying to finish but he took me
down and I got my sweep and then mounted and finished with
that armbar in direct disobedience to my coach Forrest’s
advice. I just knew I had it. I could feel that his spirit
was a little broken and he was tired, I felt him hesitate
for just one second and that is when I took it. The arm
was about to explode. I was sure he was going to let me
break it and I was going to but he tapped at the last possible
second.
Matt
Riddle is a real warrior and a real fighter. He earned my
respect in this fight and I will always be a Matt Riddle
fan after this, I hope we can train and work together one
day. He made some cool comments to me that meant a lot to
me. He said, “Tim I wish you were my coach”,
that comment meant more to me than that kid will ever know.
In fighting it is about respect and that is probably one
of the most respectful comment’s someone could say.
That
brought a tear to my eyes and I appreciated it for what
it was, respect warrior to warrior. I was so shocked that
I had actually done it and won the fight. It was an amazing
battle and all of the people in the gym were on their feet
going crazy cheering for us. Matt Riddle and I brought it
and everyone was impressed with the fight. I was so proud
of Riddle’s performance that I swore to buy him an
XBOX 360 when I got home as a reward for his heart and warrior
spirit.
I just needed a battle like that and to get to have it on
Spike TV in front of millions of people is just amazing.
When I got home my pictures of Mamie were on my bed and
I instantly started to cry. I was just having an emotional
time knowing how proud of me she is going to be when I get
home. The money is going to help us out so much it is unbelievable.
I went to the night training session just to be with the
guys. Today besides my wedding day ranks up there as the
best day of my life. I only wish I had Mamie here to share
it with me. Thanks again Matt Riddle for being a warrior.
"Crazy" Tim Credeur
This
blog is my personal opinions and personal experience from
the show. I cannot speak for anyone else but this is how
Tim Credeur see’s it so enjoy it. If you have any
questions concerns of comments please hit me up on www.myspace.com/crazytimbjj
or crazytimbjj@yahoo.com.
Don’t
miss the party every Wednesday night at City Bar Downtown.
Please attend if you can it will be a great time to support
your local UFC fighter and I am down to earth and cool so
feel free to come introduce yourself and ask me any questions
you have or discuss fights. I am the guy that looks like
a wilder beast. I will also be selling the new "Crazy"
Tim T-shirts that you can view on my myspace page. Until
next week keep on fighting.
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