Naked truth: Title in Nijem’s reach
Before entering “The Ultimate Fighter” house, Ramsey Nijem didn’t have to look far to get advice from someone who had been through the grueling six-week experience.
His friend and teammate in Orem, Utah, is former “TUF” champion Court McGee.
“When he went through the house, I saw what he was able to accomplish,” Nijem said. “I just took his advice and did what he did and had the same results so far. He told me to be myself and stay relaxed and try to stay out of drama. But it wasn’t really what he said, it was more as an example he helped a lot.”
Nijem will look to follow in McGee’s footsteps when he fights Tony Ferguson for the Season 13 title on an Ultimate Fighting Championship card tonight at the Palms.
“He was the last guy to show up for me before I went into the house, and so I was the last guy to show up for him before he went in,” McGee said. “I told him to stay focused and keep his eye on the prize. He has the ability to do great things, especially when he’s focused.”
Nijem, 23, didn’t look focused during early episodes of the reality show when many of the other fighters viewed him as little more than a goofball who was on the cast for entertainment value only.
Dubbed “Stripper Ramsey” for his habit of shedding his clothes in the house for no reason, Nijem quickly proved himself in the cage with two submissions and a knockout in the semifinals to reach the title bout.
“He showed up and finished fights, and that’s a big thing, especially with him having less prior fights than a lot of the guys in the house,” McGee said. “It goes to show how intense he is when it’s time to be, and when he’s ready to fight, it’s time to fight.”
While Nijem was among the most lighthearted personalities in the house, Ferguson was probably the most despised. The 27-year-old drew the wrath of the entire house with a drunken tirade during which he taunted a fellow castmate who has been dealing with a custody battle.
“He made an idiot of himself,” Nijem said. “He went out there and said some very inappropriate things about someone’s family, which is always a line you shouldn’t cross.”
Ferguson, who has spent time training at Brock Lesnar’s camp in Minnesota since he left the house, said he hopes that his actions serve as a positive in the long run.
“I hope that people actually look at themselves and they can dig deep in their own selves and kind of figure out something about themselves and not just make it about me,” he said. “I figured out a hell of a lot of things about myself, especially watching that episode. I figured out that’s not the person I want to be. That’s not the example I want to set for kids. I said I wanted to make some changes, and I have.”
Nijem is more comfortable with his behavior on the show, even the nudity.
“I’ve been embarrassing my mom since I was born, so it was just another opportunity to do that,” he said. “That’s what she expected.”
The welterweight title fight headlines a card that also features a pivotal lightweight bout between Anthony Pettis and Clay Guida.
Also, middleweights Ed Herman and Tim Credeur will meet in a matchup of fighters who have been out of action since late 2009.
The main card will air tape delayed on Spike (Cable 29) at 9 p.m. The entire undercard will air live on Facebook at 3:30.
Contact reporter Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com or 702-224-5509.
