'TUF 21: ATT vs. Blackzilians' blog: Michael Graves on episode No. 5

Michael Graves

Thank you for checking out the latest edition of my weekly MMAjunkie blog for “The Ultimate Fighter 21: American Top Team vs. Blackzilians,” which airs Wednesday nights on FOX Sports 1.

From the American Top Team perspective, there have been a lot of early disappointments to reflect on this season. In fact, from an ATT point of view, this season so far has been almost entirely a disappointment – and at times very hard to watch.

And it has definitely so far been, I assure you, a disappointment from a personal perspective.

Getting chosen to participate in this season of “The Ultimate Fighter” – a show that really introduced me to MMA – was the biggest honor of my professional life. However, falling short in my long-awaited UFC debut has to be the biggest disappointment of my career.

I admit that I didn’t respond well to my loss. That was my first-ever defeat in MMA, and it was very tough to deal with. It’s even tougher, I’d say, to see it play out on television.

But I’ve put that loss behind me, and I’m training harder and more efficiently now than I ever have before.

That’s in the past, and I’m moving forward, one step at a time.

Seeing my teammates fall short in their respective matches has been equally heartbreaking, if not more so, than my own shortcoming in the octagon.

Finally – at long, long, long last – ATT had its collective arm raised in victory last night, when my brother Hayder Hassan, a man who truly embodies the spirit of the academy, did what he did best.

And not a minute too soon.

To say that Hayder’s victory is a relief would be the understatement of the year. I firmly believed that ATT would steamroll our competitors in each and every fight this season. But as time marched on, there was a chance the exact opposite could happen. It makes me sick just to think about it.

It pains me to admit that, because I know ATT is the much better team, guided by much better coaches. But there was still a chance we would fall short in every fight. Ouch. That hurts just thinking about it.

Thankfully, Hayder put an end to that in a major way last night. Damn.

There’s no reason Hayder can’t have an amazing career in the UFC’s octagon. He’s got the natural ability to be one of the all-time greats. And he’s spent his whole career learning from the best of the best at ATT.

He’s dealt with injuries in the past. Had it not been for those, I’m sure he would’ve been in the UFC a long time ago.

Regardless, he’s making up for lost time now. I can’t wait to see him fight again. The production of the show this season has been top-notch. Although it’s impossible to match the intensity that was felt during filming, it’s been thrilling to watch the fights – even though they’ve mostly been bitterly disappointing so far.

Thank you, once again, for taking some time to check out my thoughts on how the season has played out so far. I’ve really enjoyed writing these blogs and look forward to writing more as the season progresses.

Also see:

• ‘TUF 21: ATT vs. Blackzilians’ blog: Michael Graves on episode No. 4
• ‘TUF 21: ATT vs. Blackzilians’ blog: Michael Graves on episode No. 3
• ‘TUF 21: ATT vs. Blackzilians’ blog: Michael Graves on episode No. 2
• ‘TUF 21: ATT vs. Blackzilians’ blog: Michael Graves on episode No. 1

Michael Graves (4-0), an American Top Team fighter on “The Ultimate Fighter 21,” blogs about the season each week exclusively for MMAjunkie. Follow him on Twitter at @gravesmma.

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ATT and Blackzilian fighters discuss their rivalry:

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