At long last, this week has arrived.
In addition to UFC Fight Night 9 and UFC 69 on Thursday and Saturday, respectively, the fifth season of The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) is set to debut at 10 p.m. EST on Spike television.
If you've read this site regularly — or even the Internet for that matter — it's clear that we are in store for one of the best installments of the entire series.
Part of the reason for that is the new format, which features 16 lightweight fighters with a range of experience and skills. And another reason is the bad blood between the two coaches, BJ Penn and Jens Pulver, who will square off in the Octagon for a second time at the conclusion of the program during the TUF 5 Finale.
We've shared a lot of stories and reports on this rivalry and war of words leading up to the season premier later on this week -- just check out the TUF 5 archive for the entire skinny.
In an article in the Honolulu Advertiser today, both fighters weighed in once again on their feelings for one another.
Here's a snip from the "Prodigy:"
"That guy runs his mouth way too much.... I want to retire him. You can watch me train at www.bjpenn.com and there's daily techniques. Jens Pulver should check it out."
And from "Lil' Evil:"
"I respect him — he's a world champion and I know he's dangerous. But I just don't like him. I respect him — he's a world champion and I know he's dangerous. But I just don't like him.... I refused to be in the same room with (Penn) unless I had to be. I can't be around him that long without my blood running."
Good stuff ... real good stuff.
Just a reminder, Jesse Holland is going to check in each and every week during the season to provide all the details, recaps and shenanigans for each and every episode.
It's going to be a good one, so we don't want you to miss a beat ... or a beatdown.
Look for the column late each Thursday night or early Friday morning to read about — and discuss — the episode from the previous evening.
TUF 5 will follow UFC Fight Night 9 this Thursday, airing at 10 p.m. EST on Spike television. Check your local listings or cable provider for the correct channel — you're not going to want to miss a thing!
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