Issue 159

October 2019

It was a long way back to the top, but the new TUF champion has finally earned his redemption 

Nine years ago, Jesse Taylor blew it. He was a finalist on TUF 7, with one fight between him and a promising career in the UFC. But a wild night of drunken misbehaviour on the Las Vegas Strip got him kicked off the show and into the annals of UFC infamy.

Since then, ‘JT Money’ has traveled around the world on a quest to right the wrongs of his 2008 mistake. He journeyed to Panama, Bahrain, Australia and everywhere in between to fight for promotions you’ve probably never heard of including Smash Global, K-Oz Entertainment and Dragon House MMA. He never stopped. Finally, he was given a golden opportunity – back on TUF – and he seized it.

He won three times in the house to earn a fight with Dhiego Lima in the finale, back in Vegas in July, then choked the Brazilian out to win the tournament title and a $250,000 prize. It’s one of MMA’s definitive feel-good stories.

Q. Jesse Taylor, TUF Champion. It’s been a long time coming. How do you feel about gaining redemption?

The dust has settled a bit, but it was a surreal experience. I feel like I’m in a dream-like state. Everything came together. I have had so many opportunities, in the past I got so close and then fell down.

I just stuck with it. Finally, after all these years and ups and downs I made one of my lifelong dreams into a reality. I would rank it up there just behind having my two boys as one of the best experiences, and best nights, of my life.

Q. What emotions did you have in the Octagon after the fight was over? When I became the champion, it was a feeling of happiness and shock. Wow, it finally happened. After I won, I fell down to the mat – I was that relieved. All of my dreams came to fruition. I was elated; it all paid o ; it was all worth it. It’s hard to put into words how it felt.

Q. You said a chapter is closed and now you’re looking to make a run at 170lb. Who do you want to fight?

I was just looking through the roster of top-10, top-20 guys. I think I can do some damage to a lot of these guys. I can do real well. I put in the work grinding over the past 10 years fighting anyone, anywhere, any time. I am thinking of Tyron [Woodley]. I think he is the greatest challenge to a wrestler like myself. Style- wise, I think Demian Maia and I would be a fun fight. I think a guy like Colby Covington or some of those up and comers would be fun. Another guy I really want to fight is that Mike ‘Platinum’ Perry. He just seems like a bully. I think it’s a horrible fight for him. Plus, he’s just a bully. I have fought bullies my whole life. I love taking out the jerks, so give me that guy.

Q. You said your story is so improbable they should make a movie about it someday. So, who stars as Jesse Taylor in your movie?

You’re looking at him. I want to be a Rocky Balboa. I will write, direct and star in the movie. It will be me or another handsome S.O.B. Maybe Channing Tatum could do it?

Q. Your nickname is ‘JT Money’, so how much did winning the TUF prize money mean to you?

The funny thing is my name is ‘JT Money’ but I was ‘JT No Money’. I wondered if I jinxed myself with the name. It’s ironic that it all came into play and at TUF 25, I finally became ‘JT Money’. It’s funny how the name ended up paying off. It wasn’t about the money. It was about the story. It was about the real redemption. I had the chance to redeem myself and become The Ultimate Fighter like I should have years ago. It makes for a better story, I ended up getting way more money and completed that story of never giving up.

Q. If you could tell your 25-year-old self from TUF 7 one thing, what would it be?

If I didn’t mess up that night, this right now wouldn’t exist. I would tell myself to hang on tight because you are going to go on a big roller coaster ride.

Q. Were there moments where you thought you might never get back to the UFC, no matter who you fought, beat or impressed?

Right before I fought Hector Lombard, I was on a winning streak. I thought ‘They aren’t going to call me now?’ This was seven years ago. I went on a nice run. They never called. I went to Strikeforce. I thought for sure they would call then. Then I messed up. Then I went on another win streak. I figured they would call then. They never called. Come on. That’s why it’s so funny because I thought for sure I was going to get my break a million times and when I least expected it, I finally got the call.

Q. Did you ever lose hope?

I was over in Russia and getting burned out fighting these killers over there.

The motivation was totally gone. I felt like they were trying to set me up, like a sacrificial lamb. I felt I was better than my record showed, and I was over it. I was purely doing it for a payday and when you start doing it for the payday and your heart’s not in it, you start losing fights. That’s what happened and that’s when I got the call. It’s crazy because it’s when I was least expecting it, but that’s how life goes sometimes. I see that picture of the guy digging the hole and he gets so close to the diamond and turns and walks away. It’s just on the other side. That’s a perfect example of my situation.

I just kept digging. I finally got to that diamond and here I am now. I think a lot of guys would have given up. I just couldn’t do it. I love the fight game and competing too much to give up.