Actually losing flat out sucks.  As you know I was picked as one of the 32 guys for The Ultimate Fighter Season 1.  All 32 of us had to fight last Friday night to earn a spot in the TUF house.  The 16 losers were sent home on Saturday.  I felt so good going into the fight and I felt my that my matchup agains Chris Saunders was a favorable one for me.  The fights were only one five minute round so I new that wasn't much time at all.  It started off well, I stunned him with a head kick and I was able to get him to the mat but he worked up to his feet.  In transition, he pulled guard with a guillotine.  It was tight.  I had been in that position before and I knew I had to keep my composure and work my defense.  I'm not sure how long he worked the choke but it felt like an eternity.  When I was finally able to escape the choke I was absolutely exhausted and my body was starved for oxygen.  Chris worked back up to his fight but I felt like I was in quicksand and I wasn't able to recover in the remaining minutes of the round.  This is the only time I have ever wanted a fight back....or at least one more round.

It was the longest night of my life and I was dreading coming home.  When I finally got my cell phone back (we had to give up our phones when we got there on March 1st) I had received so many texts, facebook messages, voicemails, tweets, etc. it was unbelievable.  I called my mom and she told me how many people came to Fox and Hound that night to watch the premiere and my fight.  I was so overwhelmed with emotions, coming up short in the biggest fight opportunity in my life but then feeling the support and love from so many people at home.  At first, I was feeling that I let all those people down but as time went by I was starting to realize its quite the contrary.  So I just wanted to write this to tell all my friends and family thank you from the bottom of my heart.  You all are my inspiration and motivation to fight and compete.  Even though losing is not fun, having so many people behind me is just the same as winning a fight!

I am so proud of what I have done and I know that this is still just the beginning.  I can't wait for what the future holds and I am honored to have such incredible people there to support me, win or lose!