The Pit Report: A Day in the Life of a UFC Champion

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The headline below says it all.

RACHELLE MAKES MY PENIS HAPPY

UFC Octagon Girl Rachelle Leah hosted a new show on Spike TV last week called UFC: All Access. The half-hour show took us behind the scenes of a day in the life of UFC Middleweight Champion Rich “Ace” Franklin, preparing for his upcoming fight with David Loiseau at UFC 58.

I love the concept of this show. This is something I always wanted the WWE to do, back when they had carte blanche with programming at Spike. This format is perfect for UFC though, because there’s no bullshit kayfabe to get in the way of a good show. Simply take one of your top guys, and spend the day with him while he trains for his upcoming fight. Throw in the goddess Rachelle to look cute and giggle, and you have a f*cking winner.

The show, which was filmed in Franklin’s hometown of Cincinnati, starts off at the Champ’s house. Well, it actually begins with Rachelle in her bra and an unbuttoned pair of jeans in her hotel room. Note to Dana White: if you make this a regular series, start every show with this. Moving on…

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I offer this in lieu of screen caps.

Ace kicks off his day at 8:15am by putting himself through an insane treadmill workout, for a half-hour. He has trained his body to get his heart rate down from 180bpm to 130bpm in about 45 seconds; perfect for that 60 second break you get in between rounds. Next we get to see Franklin in the kitchen. It’s interesting to watch him measure food, and talk about eating healthy, but it’s not the kind of thing that translates well to text. Like most athletes, Rich does take one day a week to splurge on junk food. His obsession with Krispy Kreme borders on frightening.

Next we’re off to the Powerstation Gym for an intense hour-long workout, from 11am to noon, with no break. This guy works out more in one hour than I do all year. One of the most remarkable things is Rich’s body fat percentage. The average male is about 15-20% body fat (I would say that number is probably higher in the U.S.). Rich Franklin is 5.9% body fat. That takes hardcore discipline; something most people just don’t have in them. Seeing the determination and dedication that Franklin has just goes to show exactly why this motherf*cker is the Champ. After the gym, it’s off to Sacan Martial Arts for, you guessed it, another workout. Rich works with Neal Rowe on his Muay Thai skills at least once a week.

Then it’s off to Spade Kreations to pick up Franklin’s tricked out H2. All the coaches from The Ultimate Fighter receive one after the show is over. It’s nice to know I’m in good company with these guys, as far as what they drive, but mine sure as hell doesn’t have a bunch of TVs and shit.

After picking up the Hummer, it’s off to Jorge Gurgel’s Mixed Martial Arts Academy, where Rich is joined by his wife, Beth. After a final workout, Rich and Beth head over to the Youtsler Chiropractic Center for some adjustments. Finally, Rachelle ends up at a local sports bar for some much-needed R&R with Rich and Beth. Unfortunately the show does not end with Rachelle in her bra again, but it was still a damn good show. Man, I don’t know how the TV recappers here at IP do this crap. I absolutely stink at this. I should’ve just said, “Watch this show, it’s cool,” and left it at that.

I seriously hope that they continue this show on a monthly basis. What I would really love to see is an hour show, featuring two fighters. I would’ve loved to have seen how Loiseau was preparing for this fight. They could split the hosting duties between Rachelle and fellow Octagon hottie Amber Miller.

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Mmmmm, implied lesbianism.

UFC: All Access will air again tomorrow night, March 2nd, at 11:30pm (EST), following an episode of UFC Unleashed at 10pm, and a replay of UFC 58: USA vs. Canada Countdown at 11 (which actually premieres tonight at 11:30).

BREAKING NEWS…A DAY LATE

It was announced on Tuesday that The Ultimate Fighter 1 winner Diego Sanchez was forced to withdraw from his bout at UFC 58 due to illness.

From UFC.com: “Due to illness, welterweight contender Diego Sanchez has been forced to withdraw from his match with John Alessio on this Saturday’s UFC 58 card at the Mandalay Bay Events Center. There will be no replacement opponent for Alessio, and the UFC 58 – USA vs Canada card will go on with eight bouts.

According to Sanchez’ manager, Reed Wallace, Sanchez was stricken with a virus ten days ago that not only rendered him ill, but forced him to drop down to 162 pounds. Tuesday, Sanchez took himself to the emergency room as he had still not recovered, and needless to say, was in no condition to fight on Saturday. The season one winner of The Ultimate Fighter’s middleweight division is expected to be visiting a gastro internist Wednesday for further diagnosis and treatment.”

Alessio spoke with MMAWeekly.com late Tuesday night. “I trained harder for this fight than any fight in my life,” Alessio said. “It’s very disappointing.”

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“Ooooh, the burrito was a bad idea.”

I mock Sanchez a lot, because of his faith, and his last name, but I do love watching the guy fight. Hopefully UFC will reschedule this fight for UFC 60, or one of the many upcoming live events on Spike TV.

FIRST SANCHEZ, NOW FLORIAN

It was announced earlier today that Kenny Florian is now out of UFC 58, due to a bad back. Spencer “The King” Fisher has stepped up to the plate to face Sam Stout.

Photos courtesy of UFC.com, RachelleLeah.com, Sherdog.com.