Melissa Amaya, UFC Vegas 121 Weigh-Ins Credit: Pat Danna/Cageside Press
We’ve heard the stories about being in the Ultimate Fighter House. We’ve heard that some people were losing their minds, missing their families, couldn’t wait to get their phones back. While there are things that Melissa Amaya missed about being on the outside, she actually really enjoyed the process of being in the house.
“I know it was only four weeks, but it felt like four years. It felt like a whole college experience,” Amaya said. “Living with other people, going through such a transformative experience. Honestly, leaving the house, it was hard for me. It took me a bit to adjust. I really, really missed it.”
A big piece of that feeling was due to the ability to have a singular focus. While fighting to reach the Ultimate Fighter finals, she was able to think and train for only that.
“I think it was just so special to be able to lock in. Your entire existence there is to prepare you for a fight. It’s for the biggest opportunity of your life,” she explained. “There are cameras and all these other little things around, but at the end of the day, you get to take naps. I love to take naps and train.”
The comforts of the house were not lost on her either. She feels all that comes with the experience helped to make her the best version of herself.
“You wake up, train, you have a magical paper where you get everything you need, all the food that you need,” Amaya said. “You don’t have to worry about finances. You don’t have to worry about keeping in touch with people or anything… I thrive in that environment.”
Now home and back in training camp, she’ll look to replicate and show off all of the growth that she had in the house. She faces Tina Black in the TUF finale at UFC Vegas 121 this weekend. That fight will be part of the main card, which starts at 8pm EST on Paramount+.