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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Friday, December 4, 2009

Last episode brings dramatic moments


By Scott Junk
Special to The Advertiser

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Scott Junk

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Hawai'i's Scott Junk, a contestant on the "Ultimate Fighters Heavyweights," comments on Wednesday's final episode.

A lot happened on this episode. Marcus Jones, the lone representative of Team Rampage, knocks out Darrill Schoonover, then gets knocked out himself by Brendan Schaub in the semifinals.

Matt Mitrione taps out to a weak arm-in guillotine. To those who don't know about jiu-jitsu, he could have fought to get out.

Then Roy Nelson puts his stamp on James McSweeney — first round TKO! — in the other semifinal.

Leading up to the fights there was some drama. Marcus had gotten wind of my injury, and before talking to me, he went off and confronted Matt. What can I say? Marcus is an emotional man.

We were very close in the house and he felt that Matt poked me in the eye on purpose. A lot of the guys in the house felt this way, but I really don't see Matt doing something like that; I just don't get that from him.

I never mentioned my eye injury until I knew I wasn't getting back in the competition. As soon as the semifinals were set, I let the doctor know and that's when I found out about my eye.

Sitting there in the doctor's office, no family to consult, the doctor telling me my fighting days are over, I broke down! He said he felt surgery was needed. I didn't think twice ... do it!

The doctor asked me if I wanted to consult with someone, I replied, no just fix it.

The pain was crazy! Imagine someone taking a shoe horn and lifting your eye up, then using a laser to fix the tears. Each time he shot the laser, it felt like something was pinching my eyeball. After the surgery was over that's when the pain set in, throbbing like you can't believe.

In my time of recovery, Abe Wagner came in and said some of the most comforting things to me. He said, "Even though this is the worst thing that has happened to you, you're still healthy, you can still see and you can still function in society. There are people with far greater problems in their lives."

The talk got my mind set to where if I never compete again I'd be OK, but the surgery was a success, and I love to compete!

I want to thank Bob from Giovanni's Pastrami for all his support and for hosting the viewing parties. It was a lot of fun. Also, Sommer from Cazzadores for her help and the guys from Udown for all the fantastic prizes and giveaways.

Last but not least, I would like to thank my wife! Without her I would have never made it this far. I love you JoLynn.

Thank you and aloha, Scott Junk