Ok lets face it, The Ultimate Fighter season 13 hasn’t quiet lived to expectations as of yet. We all expected for the big bad heel seen by most in Brock Lesnar to completely trash talk his way onto the hype train that will eventually lead to UFC 131. On board the other side of the track will be Junior Dos Santos. Surprisingly though, Lesnar has been quiet the respectful guy. What gives?
Maybe it is an attempt at PR control or maybe the big bad brockness monster is just some dormant WWE creature that only comes out at the highest of stress point for Lesnar. Needless to say the most drama filled moment of this season has not been between Lesnar and Dos Santos but Dos Santos’ wrestling coach Lew Polley. Two weeks back, Polly was asked to leave by Dos Santos in a odd bit of story telling. It came across weird and I am sure you at home thought the same way. According to movie magic editing, Polley was thinking about going into the TUF house with out the permission of Dos Santos and thus irked him and his team.
Polley a good friend of Fight Hub TV lets us in on the background leading up to that event. He reflects back on the season and expresses regret at what happened. The one time San Diego based fighter believes things will come full circle and expects to be friends with Dos Santos once more. See what he had to say and more!
FHTV: We just saw in the last episode of TUF where JDS asked you to leave the show, what was going though your mind as he is telling you you are done?
LP: I was thinking that I don’t get to see the guys realize their dream. I was hurt and disappointed. I also thought my a friendship has just ended.
FHTV: What was the root of the conflict between JDS and yourself?
LP: I believe it was just human nature. No one is perfect and we all succumb to weaker emotions at times.
FHTV: Did you see that coming or where you caught off guard?
LP: I was caught off guard completely, but I knew something was going to happen eventually but not that.
FHTV: Do you have any regrets about what transpired?
LP: Yes, we all have regrets. I regret letting something as trivial as attention from strangers or the allure of fame damage friendships.
FHTV: Can you talk about the experience of getting to coach on TUF?
LP: It was an honor to be privileged enough to help others and have America get a glimpse at what we do and deal with. I enjoyed meeting the people from Zuffa and Spike.
FHTV: Have you spoke to JDS since?
LP: No I haven’t. Not yet any way.
FHTV: If so are you going to reach out to him eventually or is he going to have to contact you?
LP: I can’t say for sure but I know myself and I will eventually reach out to Junior and Ed Soares. Life is short and holding on to grudges and not letting things go will not help you find peace of mind.
FHTV: What were your feelings watching the shows that led up to the episode were you leave and knowing that maybe the editing that was done wasn’t really how it was in real life?
LP: I was worked up a bit (laughs). I know what happened and how much they left out. It was like the scene in The Running Man when they showed the edit version of what happened when Arnold was in the chopper supposedly killing innocent people. It didn’t happen that way but the way it was edited made the average viewer believe it did. I know they were trying to tell a story and create drama so it is what it is not to big of a deal.
FHTV: It seems like all of the fighters looked up to you. What did they tell you when they found out you were leaving?
LP: Nothing, Junior made sure he kept the guys away from me so I couldn’t say good by or anything like that. They didn’t know what was going on until much later. Junior told them I left on my own free will.
FHTV: While filming did you ever talk to Brock Lesnar? If so what was said? What did you think of the two different coaching styles employed by Brock and JDS?
LP: Yes I did speak to Brock a few times. We talked about fishing, hunting, North Dakota, Minnesota and casual stuff. Despite what people think Brock is very cool and normal. The coaching styles are very different! One is more aggressive and in your face, to get you ready for competition. The other is more laid back and casual, like team mates helping each other instead of a coach to athlete relationship.
FHTV: Who are you picking to win between Brock and JDS?
LP: I’m not. It doesn’t really interest me because I am a big Cain Velasquez and Alistair Overeem fan. I don’t really see either guy touching Alistair or Cain right now. I’m not being a prick when I say that, I just think the skill sets don’t match-up well.
FHTV: How do you see the fight playing out?
LP: I can say that it favors Brock. It’s only three rounds so you can grind someone out for two of the three. I think it all depends on the 1st round. If Brock can’t handle Juniors speed and combinations during that round then he is in trouble. If he can smother Junior in the 1st, then he can control the remaining rounds, junior tends to fade a bit. The key will be to get Junior to slow his primary weapons which is his movement and hand speed.
FHTV: So when can we expect to see you back in action?
LP: Late June. I have people cementing a booking for me around that time.
FHTV: You are very accessible through Twitter and Facebook can you talk about how you use that as a tool to get the Lew “The Titan” Polley brand out?
LP: (laughs) I primarily use it to talk with anyone and everyone who wants to talk. I don’t see very many high profile guys interacting with their fans, so I wanted to take a more hands on personal approach. I want my followers and fans to know me through chatting with me, not by going on a forum and reading rumors or speculations. I am always on and I am an open book. I am a private dude but I feel its necessary to show my fans an openness that others don’t.
FHTV: Who are some of your favorite people to follow on twitter?
LP: (laughs) There are too many to name but I do like reading what the adult film stars post, believe it or not they are some of the most honest people.
FHTV: Is there anything else that you would like to tell the supporters and fans of Lew Polley?
LP: Simply, Thank you and to my sponsors, thank you dollamur mats, performance mma, prodject discipline, island TaT, Disciple Armour, SNAC, scrap soldier, Nutrabolics and wild dragon energy drinks.
