Interview with Dustin Winterhalt after his Ultimate Fighter tryout

Ever curious about what it would be like trying out for the Ultimate Fighter. Well, WKR talked to Dustin Winterhalt a fighter out of VisionMMA in Cincinnati Ohio. Winterhalt recently went to Chicago for the Ultimate Fighter 9 tryouts.

Watch Kalib Run: When did you go to Chicago?

Dustin Winterhalt: Sunday

WKR: Who went with you?

DW: There were four of us out of Vision MMA.

WKR: Where were the tryouts held?

DW: A hotel, the Ritz-Carlton.

WKR: What was it like being there with 700 people?

DW: Yeah, they told us it was a record amount. There was a lot of waiting in a huge room. We were all numbered and broken down into grappling then striking.

WKR: Who was watching everyone?

DW: Producers, Executive Producers from Spike and Joe Silva.

WKR: No Dana White?

DW: No Dana White but Sean Sherk was there.

WKR: Were there any other fighters from UFC 90?

DW: I think Sherk was there because he had people trying out.

WKR: How did you feel going into the tryout?

DW: Yeah, I went in there and did what I needed to do. I just need to keep my fingers crossed.

WKR: Good, did everyone from Vision MMA make it through?

DW: Yeah, I mean there was a cut after grappling then after striking and we all made it to the final interview with the Spike producers.

WKR: How did the interview go?

DW: It was different. They wanted to see who you are and stuff, very laid back.

WKR: Who did the interviews?

DW: Spike producers, Joe Silva did the cuts.

WKR: Did they have set partners to grapple and strike with?

DW: No they drew numbers and then we grappled or what not.

WKR: Which did you feel you did the best at?

DW: Both, I think I did really good.

WKR: Do you know what the ratios of lightweights to welterweights were that made it to the interview?

DW: No.

WKR: How many made it to the interview?

DW: 50-75.

WKR: Do you feel that the odds were stacked against you since the half the cast will be from the UK where only 200 tried out?

DW: No I mean we have a bigger talent pool [here in the US] I may have been in the top group. I am just happy for making it to the interview.

WKR: Did they say when they would contact you to see if you made it to the Vegas interview?

DW: They said they would give us a call.

WKR: Did anyone at the tryout clearly not belong there?

DW: Yeah a lot of people -- I mean it is reality show and everyone wants to be on TV.

WKR: What is one thing from the tryouts that you will really remember?

DW: The whole experience, there were so many people. I mean I got home at 5a.m. [Cincinnati Ohio]. I saw a
bunch of people I know from fights from all around the country so that was pretty cool.

WKR: What happens if the worse case scenario occurs and there is no phone call?

DW: Keep fighting keep training, this isn’t the only way into the UFC I just got to keep trying.

WKR: Anyone you saw their stick out and make you think he is the clear favorite?

DW: No a lot of people could’ve made it .

WKR: Anything else you would like to add?

DW: No I am tired but it was a good time.

WKR: Thanks for your time and congratulations.