Iaquinta Nation

Photo by UFC

Sleep Eat Train, Sleep Eat Train, Sleep Eat Train. When this and basically this alone is all your life consists of for thirteen to fifteen weeks it can be a true test on any persons patience. Mix in the stress of national television, seclusion from the real world, and put a six figure contract on the line, and you’re going to have a person that’s on his way to driving himself crazy, assuming he hasn’t reached that point all ready.

With all that in mind in lies the biggest challenge of them all. Staying focused while boredom begins to take over. When you set a goal for yourself, it’s easy to stay on track and put in the hard work because of how important that goal is. When the goal is as big as a contract for the UFC that drive and determination intensifies dramatically. Yet at the end of the day were all human and need a day to relax and blow off some steam. When Al and the rest of the guys in the TUF House want to do that they have no where to go but their own backyard. A backyard they share with the same people trying to knock their heads off for that six figure contract. As important of an opportunity this is for Al and the rest of the TUF contestants it’s easy to understand how anyone could become distracted in this situation and be searching for any form of entertainment.

As I’ve discussed before Al is one of the hardest working, dedicated, and determined people we all know. Yet at the same time if you know Al if he starts to get bored and is seeking some entertainment, watch out because thing’s may get interesting. Yesterday Al left a comment on his twitter yesterday saying “Got reprimanded for starting the wine bottle smashing championships last night, and for hunting imaginary deer in the backyard two minutes ago.” I think most of you would agree the hunting of imaginary deer is the more concerning of the two. Never the less there’s a perfect example of what can happen when boredom sets in. Well all have to watch Friday and see exactly what has been going on in that house this week.

As for Al, with a fight at least a month away he needs to continue to work hard and stay focused. Make no mistake about it he want’s to win that UFC contract more then anyone else in the house, yet within that goal lies several obstacles. One of the biggest obstacles outside of the gym is going to be staying focused in a house living with the same guys you’ll be fighting, not being able to see friends and family, and not having any real contact with the outside world.(See an “interview” HERE with Mike Chiesa and Sam Sicilia jokingly going into detail about that.) Those issues are only going to become more difficult as time goes on. It’s important that Al stays himself and continues to stay focused and on the right path. Having some fun to get your mind off things is great, and definitely necessary, but when all the fun and joking is over with there’s only one thing that matters. Working hard and becoming the next Ultimate Fighter.

-Matt Pellicane