Dolloway says he's looking forward to TUF finale
by Ariel Helwani, MMARated.com
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CB Dolloway: Las Vegas. Actually, [UFC President] Dana [White] had us call back up there, me and Tim Credeur. We were talking about just having a meeting. We didn't know why we were coming back up there and basically, I thought I was the only one who got called back up and as I am walking in, I see Tim walking in out of another car into the UFC Training Center so I figured something was up at that point.
MMARated: How long after your semifinal fight against Amir Sadollah did this whole meeting take place?
CBD: About one week.
MMARated: So, you're still in Las Vegas, Dana calls you up, brings you to the office and then just pretty much lays out the situation?
CBD: No, I had already went home back to Arizona and then I was partying and stuff for about a week and then Dana flies us back up to Las Vegas but we have no idea why he is flying us back up there. I get there and he breaks the news to me and Tim at the same time basically.
MMARated: Obviously, people have gotten kicked off the show but nothing of this magnitude where the guy is actually kicked out of the finale. Did you think for a second that this might be a rib they were playing on you or could you tell from Dana's demeanor that this was legit?
CBD: I knew it was legit when he said it, but it took a second to sink in that I was actually going to get a second chance.
MMARated: Was the entire cast around when Jesse Taylor lost it on that infamous night?
CBD: Not all of us. There was only like a good portion of us...some of the guys went home already. This is two days after we have been out of the house. Everyone went out the first night and then some guys went home and a few of us stayed after for one more night to go out again. But yes, I was with him in the limo.
MMARated: Can you describe exactly what went down?
CBD: He (was) getting a little crazy actually up here in the night club and we had to leave there and once we got him outside and into the limo, he was still going crazy and we are trying to tell him to settle down and he was still being crazy Jesse starts kicking the window and we were like stop that. He kicked it one too many times and it shattered and fell out and he just basically hops out of the limo and runs into the casino. Then I guess, what Dana said once he got into the casino, he went down to one of the bars and was terrorizing some of the female guests. When security was called on him, they came down there and he started getting almost violent with them and telling them that he is a UFC fighter and stuff like that. I think that is what pissed Dana off the most.
MMARated: That he was misrepresenting the company?
CBD: Yes, misrepresentation of his company.
MMARated: You weren't around for all the casino craziness, right?
CBD: No, I went back up to my room to sleep.
MMARated: Smart move.
CBD: So it was like 3:00 in the morning when the limo incident went down and he was still going crazy after the limo incident.
MMARated: Since that infamous moment, have you spoken to Jesse?
CBD: Yes, I talked to him on MySpace. He said that he might get a shot back in the UFC. As you saw on the episode, Dana tells him, "Give me a call in a few months when you get your [stuff] together." Dana is just basically telling him, you are not ready for the UFC right now mentally. Physically, yes you can fight but mentally, what are you going to do when you actually do become famous?
MMARated: What was it like when you realized you really lost to Amir and were not going to advance to the finals?
CBD: I was just blown away for the moment like I cannot believe it just happened. (In) mixed martial arts, crazy stuff like that happens. (You) lose your concentration for a minute and do not do something right and the fight can be over.
MMARated: Is it possible that you underestimated Amir?
CBD: Yes, I did underestimate his ground game a little. In the beginning of the rounds, any of the submissions that he really went for, I could just pull it right out of him. But I think in the third round, I was pretty fatigued and got lazy and left my arm in there and was still trying to punch and he did the right thing and pulled an arm bar. I was just too tired to really do anything about it.
MMARated: Truthfully, did you ever expect to be fighting Amir in the semis?
CBD: In the beginning, I did not really see him as a threat. I was more looking at Paul Bradley, Gerald Harris, other wrestlers I thought would be my toughest competition or maybe like Tim Credeur, he is a good jujitsu guy. I did not really see Amir as a threat to me until he knocked Gerald out. Just from that fight, it showed a lot of his stuff, a lot of heart. He (was) getting slammed a lot and he kept his cool, never broke and then landed that big knee that knocked Gerald out and he kept getting back to his feet so yes, after that fight, I knew he would be dangerous.
MMARated: Will you look to do anything differently on Saturday that you didn't do in the semis?
CBD: Yes, one part on the ground is being a lot more technical, secure the position before I go to strike. I think I would burn up a lot of energy trying to pass through his guard without doing things right, just trying to scramble through it and not doing things right, throwing a punch too soon. I think I just need to calm down, secure the position and then do damage from there. Make sure I always get a good position.
MMARated: Does it feel weird that you made it to the finals in this fashion?
CBD: It does not really matter to me. The contract is the contract no matter how you get it. Yes, I think anyone in my position would do the same thing. If you get offered a second chance, you are definitely going to go all out and put all your focus towards that.
MMARated: By the way, how good does it feel to finally talk about this whole situation? That was a pretty big secret to hold onto.
CBD: Yes, it was pretty tough. Everyone is asking questions and the craziest thing is everyone assumes I was in the finals. From watching the show, they were like, "No one could have beaten you."
MMARated: Quick thoughts on Saturday's finale?
CBD: No doubt it should be another war. Amir is a tough guy. I am just looking forward to it. It would be a great show for the fans and I am definitely looking to come out on top this time
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