Bailey on the Bayou: TUF wrestler looks to earn a spot

Photo via Sherdog.com

On Season 13 of the hit series, The Ultimate Fighter, the 16 talented fighters that gave viewers premium drama had also put on some good fights. Amongst all of the athletes in the house, some were clearly superior to others. There were scrappy fighters like Chuck O'Neill and Chris Cope who displayed some impressive ground skills and were surprising in victory, Len Bentley who proved to be tougher than given credit for, and Ramsey Ninjem who was secretly a mixed martial artist. Although it was striking that prevailed for heavy-handed Tony Ferguson who won six-figure contract, I spotted a cliffhanger when the season came to an end. The explosive wrestling talent of Shamar Bailey, who had lost a decision, and was out of contention for the rest of the show, had seriously impressed me.

From the first episode of tryouts when Bailey's quickness and athleticism stood out above the rest, there was promising potential in the Delaware native that he wasn't able to attain on the show. His back problems limited him during competition, and I can say from experience that with back pain, limited is an understatement. After winning on the finale against Ryan McGillivray via Unanimous Decision, Bailey has begun working to cement his spot in the UFC. 

The former 170-pounder is dropping the fifteen pounds, as he will face UFC veteran Evan Dunham in a lightweight showdown in the Battle on the Bayou. Despite the all too familiar wrestler smothering opponents to squeak out a win, as ground talent tends to avoid the stand up game, Bailey is way more three-dimensional than that. The first picked for Team Dos Santos had no problem exchanging blows on the show; he just never saw knockout success as his hands lacked the necessary power.

When looking through The Ultimate Fighter alumni, there are a number of fighters who dropped divisions following the show. Some had competed on the reality television show at a foreign weight wanting to seize the opportunity, and others used the show as an indicator they should move out of a weight class. Either way many TUF veterans moved up or down in weight. Kenny Florian, Josh Koscheck, Michael Bisping, Rashad Evans are only a few of the familiar names that, with the help of the show, and a new weight class, paved their way to becoming top level fighters. All of the mentioned fighters are extremely familiar with title shots in their past, present, or near future, which profoundly credits the decision to move down a weight class in this situation. Whether Bailey knew his TUF history or not, by going to lightweight, he is following the path of championship UFC fighters.

Upon leaving the reality show, and returning home, Bailey has since been training hard for his chance at a spot on the UFC roster.  

This powerful, athletic, and now lighter wrestler is out to prove everyone wrong. Bailey has been doubted and believed to be undeserving of such a highly respected opponent in Evan Dunham who has faced the likes of Diego Sanchez, Sean Sherk, and Efrain Escudero. Dunham has learned the hard way from his bout with Melvin Guillard, that speed is incredibly important. Now with a hungrier and improved mindset, Evan Dunham wants nothing more than to avenge that loss. 

Bailey is no less prepared.

With a chip on his shoulder, Bailey has more than enough fuel in his tank of motivation. He now comes into this fight with one mission: to finish the fight. Come Ultimate Fight Night 25; be looking for a young and revitalized Bailey to stop Evan Dunham anyway he can. Shamar Bailey has little to lose, and everything to gain.