Mixed martial arts is world like any other, and making it big in the cage can be tougher than one can imagine. One springboard that has helped to launch the sport into the mainstream and acted as the main channel for many fighters to be seen is The Ultimate Fighter. It’s a gruelling process even making it onto the show, and then you’re forced to fight your way to infamy.

While many fighters have had the experience of travelling down The Ultimate Fighter road, many have disappeared shortly after their experience. As the show moves into its nineteenth season, Josh Clark, a contestant from this season, has dedicated himself to not becoming a casualty like so many other alumni from the show. With a “go at it attitude”, he’s destined to leave his mark on the sport at any cost.

Josh recently sat down to talk with us here at Last Word on Sports to give us his thoughts on his time on this most recent season The Ultimate Fighter, and what the future holds for him.

What got you started in the MMA game in the first place?

Well you know, about 8 years ago I won a 6 month gym membership back at home, and at the end of the 6 months I told myself – ‘I’ve done all this work, I’m at least going to fight’. So, at the end of 6 months I fought twice in one night and I actually one both fights and I’ve just been doing it ever since. The competitive nature of it, you always challenge yourself to be better.

In terms of fighters out there today is there anyone you look up to? Or style yourself after?

You know, I’ve always been an Anderson Silva fan. Since I’ve gotten started in the sport, I’ve always watched Anderson Silva – I was even watching some of his old footage last night. I’ve got to get back to moving like him. I think he can beat anybody at any time. I know that he’s had a couple of bad breaks, but when he comes into the ring to fight, you know sometimes he plays with guys and get criticized, but he’s a monster. He’s one of my favourites, though.

“Bones” Jones too – he’s another one that I think is really talented.

You’re on Season 19 of The Ultimate Fighter. What pushed you to try out for this season of the show?

I was kind of toward the end of my career and I didn’t know what to do, and my buddy called me up and said that there were try-outs in Indianapolis, about 6 hours away – and I was like, ‘you know what, I’m going go’. I’d only been back in MMA for awhile, I’d missed a couple of months, and I ended up making the show. The show basically saved my career. Financially it was expensive going back to the gym and I’ve been doing this for 8 years now.

I tried out 3 years ago and I made it through all of the qualifications, but I didn’t end up catching my weight class, so I came back around again.

You first fight on the show (the “get into the house” fight), you laid down a nasty submission – was that a planned technique you wanted to lay down, or did you just improvise on the spot?

Being tall and stuff, the triangle choke, I always seem to get there – what with my long legs. It’s just something that I always hit in practice. You know the triangle choke it wasn’t available as he was posturing up, and then I just transitioned over to the arm-bar.

What was your experience like in the Ultimate Fighter House?

It was definitely an experience, man! We’re not allowed to have any TV or radio, or anything like that – it was kind of like take the bible and read the bible, that was pretty much all I had on hand. Then you’ve got all of these different personalities in the house. Some people just weren’t getting along, you know I’m pretty good at getting along so it wasn’t too difficult for me to get along with guys. However, there was definitely a lot of testosterone. Everyone was pretty cool until the first fight in the house, and then you could feel the tension between the teams – you’ve got to expect that though – guys fighting each other and living in the same house.

Let’s talk about your second fight on the show. What did you take away from your loss to Corey Anderson?

It’s definitely motivating me! Every fight I’ve ever lost has been because of wrestling. So, when I came back home I gave up everything, and I decided that I wasn’t going to let wrestling dictate my career and be the reason why I lose again. It was definitely motivating, I was upset, but you know Corey is a good wrestler and that’s just something I need to work on. Definitely though, it motivated me.

How did the psychological factor play into everything – being on the show, the additional pressure?

It definitely affected me. However, I think what really affected me, and there are no excuses, but I had my camp to get into the house and then before that I had another camp, so I’d been training for 12-13 weeks when I fought. To be honest man, having gone to practice everyday, we fought everyday, I just didn’t have a lot in me in terms of fight when the fight actually did come. I still performed and put everything on the line, but I wasn’t peaking – you know what I’m saying? As a fighter you’ve got to be peaking when you’re getting ready to fight.

You had a great experience to get close to two of the most elite fighters in the sport of MMA in Frankie Edgar and BJ Penn. Any early predictions as to how that fight might play out?

I don’t know, you know? I guess it all depends on how hard BJ trains. Frankie, you know, he’s definitely a competitor. BJ, I don’t even know if he really needs this fight – you know, he’s already been retired once, and now he’s making a comeback. I think it really all comes down to how hard BJ trains. If BJ trains hard, and puts together a solid camp… he’s not “The Prodigy” for no reason. Yeah, I definitely think it all comes down to how hard BJ trains.

Everything aside – if you could kind of go toe-to-toe with ANYONE out there in the world of MMA today, who would it be?

Jon Jones – best in the world. I’m sure you hear that all the time, but why not? He’s the best in the world, why not see how well you can stand against him?

We want to thank Josh Clark for sitting down to talk with us, and really look forward to seeing him move forward in the world of MMA. We’ll be watching him closely, as he moves forward. Please give him a follow on Twitter @joshclarkmma

We also want to give a proper shout out Jay over at Fresh Start (@jayfreshstart) for his continuing support. Check out www.mmajam.ca

For the latest in sports injury news, check out our friends at sports injury alert.

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