Scott Junk knows an ultimate opportunity when he sees one.

That's why he sacrificed family and work time for six weeks this summer to appear on "The Ultimate Fighter" reality television series.

Junk was one of 16 heavyweight mixed martial arts fighters selected to appear on season 10 of the popular series on Spike TV.

The opening episode is scheduled to air today at 7 p.m. The winner of the series will earn a guaranteed contract with the prestigious UFC organization.

"I wouldn't say it was the best experience as far as being away from your family and friends for six straight weeks," said Junk, who is 30 and resides in Kailua. "But if you want to better your life, you have to stick it out."

This season features big fighters — the heavyweight division is for competitors between 206 and 265 pounds — and is expected to draw a big audience.

The preshow buzz started months ago when it was revealed that YouTube sensation Kimbo Slice would be a contestant on the show. Slice's street brawls have been viewed by millions around the world on YouTube.

"I know a lot of people want to watch this season because of Kimbo," Junk said. "That only helps the rest of us. That means all those people will be watching us, too."

Junk is 6 feet 1 and around 260 pounds, and said he was one of the smaller contestants on the show.

"Some of the guys were huge," he said. "And ripped — all muscle."

The taping of the show was completed in July, but Junk is contractually obligated not to reveal any details.

The 16 fighters will be separated into two teams, one coached by Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, and the other by Rashad Evans. Both Jackson and Evans are former UFC world champions.

"There's some real funny stuff that you have to see," Junk said.

The season finale — which will air live on Spike TV — is scheduled for Dec. 5 at Las Vegas. Junk said he will appear on the finale, although he could not reveal if he would be fighting in the show's championship bout or as a preliminary fight.

"Put it this way, everything positive that could have happened for me did happen," he said.

The series starts with 16 fighters and a fighter or two are eliminated every week. Every competitor is guaranteed to fight at least once during the season.

The competitors are housed together in a Las Vegas property, and they are cut off from all communication to family and friends.

"No cell phone, e-mail, computer, nothing," said Junk, who is married and has a stepson. "That part was hard. I actually had a situation where I felt like I needed advice from my family, but I couldn't make any calls, so I just had to deal with it."

In any case, it is Junk's second shot in the UFC.

He appeared on a UFC card in September 2007, but tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in a loss to Christian Wellisch.

The injury required reconstructive surgery — including taking a piece of his hamstring to create a new tendon in the knee — and more than a year of rehabilitation.

"Ever since that fight, I wanted another shot in the UFC," he said. "So this is my chance right here."

Junk was a football lineman at Kalaheo High and then Southwest Oklahoma State. He did not start training in MMA until 2003.

He got his first fight in 2005, and has a record of 6-2-1.

"He's young in terms of his experience in the sport," said Brandon Wolff, Junk's coach at Team Mixed Martial Arts Development. "But he definitely has the athleticism to compete at the top level. And he's hungry and he always wants to learn."

Wolff has appeared on two UFC cards, and said Junk has been given a "career-changing" opportunity with the television show.

"The UFC is just a different level," Wolff said. "Everyone is going to be watching this show, so he's going to make an impression on a lot of people. Plus, you can network, meet some of the best trainers and fighters in the world. There's just so much he can capitalize on with this."

Junk is merely hoping for a chance to better the lifestyle of his family. He already works a full-time job at Frank Coluccio Construction.

He works the overnight shift (8 p.m. to 7 a.m.), gets four to five hours of sleep, then trains in the afternoon.

"My regular job pays for our mortgage and allows us to live in Hawai'i," he said. "If I can get to fight in the UFC, it would make life that much better for my family. The guys in the UFC are making more than the guys on Wall Street right now, so if I get that shot, I have to make the most of it."

NOTES

Giovanni Pastrami in Waikiki will host viewing parties for The Ultimate Fighter every Wednesday night. Junk will appear each week, and will discuss each episode with fans. Prizes will also be awarded each week, including a chance to win a trip to Las Vegas to attend the season finale in December.

Junk is the fifth Hawai'i competitor to be selected for the The Ultimate Fighter series. The others were Anthony Torres, Kendall Grove, Troy Mandaloniz and Shane Nelson. Also, UFC lightweight champion BJ Penn of Hilo was a coach on season five of the series.