The Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights finalist Brendan Schaub was on Wednesday’s TUF 10 Finale conference call and fielded questions from the media on a multitude of subjects.
Being that TUF 10 cast member Justin Wren was one of the most talented fighters in The Ultimate Fighter house (and had blogged for us this entire season), I was curious to know how he ultimately ended up at the same gym with Brendan (Grudge Training Center in Colorado), how they benefit from one another, and what it has been like training with him.
Here is what Brendan had to say about his training partner Justin Wren (at the 27:00 mark if you want to hear it):
So, Justin after the show, we were friends in the house, and after the show was looking for camps, and I think he was trying out different camps and stuff like that, and he came to Colorado and just fell in love with the team and what we’re about, and what we do and moved out there and he lives in Golden, Colorado now.
You know, Justin brings an aspect to the team with his wrestling and just his work ethic that you know, you can’t find anywhere else. I think he does some stuff really well, and other stuff not so well, and that’s why he’s with us. It’s great. He’s a great addition to the team.
Justin’s addition to the Grudge Fight Team places him in the midst of training daily with fighters such as Shane Carwin, Nate Marquart, Brendan Schuab, Elliot Marshall, and Alvin Robinson. It also gives him access to coaches Trevor Wittman and Greg Jackson, as well as Jackson’s team of fighters, Rashad Evans, Keith Jardine, any many more.
As we first reported last week, Justin will be fighting friend, and fellow cast mate, Jon Madsen this Saturday night at the TUF 10 Finale. Although not part of the main card, and will likely not be shown on the televised portion of the event, it is a very important fight for both competitors.
Some of the UFC’s best fighters have been participants who did not win, or even make it to the finals of The Ultimate Fighter. And for 22-year-old Justin Wren and 29-year-old Jon Madsen, a good performance on Saturday night could go a long way toward securing them a spot in the UFC heavyweight division.
Like the other TUF 10 fighters on the card, Kimbo Slice, Matt Mitrione, Marcus Jones, Darrill Schoonover, and James McSweeney, Wren and Madsen have their foot in the door, now they just need to make the most of it.
By: Jack Bratcher