Just days out from the new “biggest fight of his life,” a familiar ghost paid him a visit.
“It’s always wrestling,” Arroyo said. “Every injury I’ve ever gotten pretty much was wrestling. I was wrestling with one of the guys on there, Richie (Hightower), and we were both going for a body lock takedown, and he got it and landed right on my rib.”
With every twist and deep breath, Arroyo was reminded that things may be out of his control, with his BJJ all but ruled out for the Danzig fight, which he withdrew from. From a strategic standpoint, he felt it made no sense to engage in a ground battle when he couldn’t compete anywhere near the level he was capable of.
Recap Episode One Of The Return Of The Ultimate Fighter
“At that time, the whole undercard was the people who were on the show win or lose, except people who lose really quick,” Arroyo said. “I knew I’d get a chance in the finale, where I could hopefully come back one hundred percent and show what I can do.”
Second-guessing and eye rolling came at a minimum. Arroyo never felt challenged or on eggshells. Two finishes in two rounds speak for themselves. Arroyo would place the TUF 6 Finale in his crosshairs and move on.
So the TUF 6 Finale came and wouldn’t you guess, Arroyo notched yet another first-round submission.