Team Rousey blog: Jessica Rakoczy on 'The Ultimate Fighter 18,' episode No. 5

So after beating Roxanne Modafferi, I also helped nurse her back to full health. I think I’ve always been like that, even before I had a son of my own. I’ve always been a motherly type of person. Roxanne was definitely in need of some obvious attention, and as a friend, you just want everyone to feel better, right? She actually became a good friend, and I knew she was hurting, so I wanted to be there for her.

Roxanne and I have actually stayed in contact after the show. Her birthday was this past week, and we went to the park and had cupcakes and hung out. It was nice.

To see Roxanne so emotional after the loss was very difficult. I think for everybody there, especially the girls who had been doing it a long time like Roxanne and Shayna Baszler, they felt like true veterans of the sport, and this almost feels like a last opportunity to make it big and you have to capitalize on it. You almost feel like all of that was taken away from you. I’ve had that happen to me in boxing, too, so I know how it feels. I think that moment of disappointment, especially at the highest level and being on TV – you’re almost there – people don’t realize how tough that can be. It’s a very emotional moment.

I couldn’t believe that Davey Grant didn’t get any time on screen before this episode because he was hilarious. I loved him. He’s really like the best guy, and I could relate to him because we would talk about our kids. He’s got two little boys, and he’s such a genuinely great guy. And he actually kept the house laughing. You know, when everybody is so serious and intense, he’ll just start talking, and you can’t help but laugh because he’s so funny. He’s a great person.

It’s still probably weird for people to see two opponents, like Davey and Louis Fisette were, sleeping in the same room and talking before their fights. It was that way for Roxy and me, too; she was just across from me. The thing is, you know they are there to do the same thing. We’re all there to fight for this top spot. It’s like we’re all on the same grind, so you have to get in there because if you don’t do it, she’s going to do it. If I don’t fight my heart out, my opponent is going to fight her heart out because she wants it just as bad as me. So your egos go out the window, and it’s your alter ego in that ring duking it out. You just forget about it, and you have to turn that switch.

The big drama-filled truth or dare game, I don’t remember having anything to do with. I just tried to stay out of all of that. I was probably off either cleaning or in my room organizing something. I know; it’s sad.

Of course, I didn’t get to avoid Ronda Rousey‘s mom. She kind of got on me for not participating in drills. Unfortunately, the thing was Ronda and Edmond Tarverdyan told me, “Do not do anything.” I just wanted to be there to at least see what was going on and watch practice, but I’m listening to what my coaches said about not participating, and then Ronda’s mom chewed me out. I knew I just had to take it, though. I was really irritated, but I have to just listen to my coaches. They wanted me to take the day off, so I just did what they told me to do.

That said, meeting her mom definitely helps you understand Ronda a little better. You see where she gets her edge. Ronda can be very cold at times, but it’s a “tough love” kind of thing. That said, on the “Breaking Ground” special with Ronda, I saw a sweet side to her mom, too. So you can see both sides of her mom are there. She has a real soft, tender and motherly side, but she also has this really aggressive side of her, too. It’s cool to see both.

As for the fight, we were proud of Davey. I was screaming my head off because I was so in to the fight. For us to be tied up as a team with two wins each felt great, too. We were just like, “Let’s keep this ball rolling.” We were very charged up. This is ultimately an individual competition, but you want everybody feeling up and happy because it gives you more energy to fight. Sure, you’re in the by yourself when it’s time to fight, but it helps to have a supportive team around you, and it was nice to be on a roll.

“The Ultimate Fighter 18? cast member Jessica Rakoczy (1-3) blogs each Thursday exclusively for MMAjunkie.com. The women’s bantamweight prospect takes readers behind the scenes of the FOX Sports 1-broadcast series, which airs Wednesdays at 10 p.m. ET.