Exclusive Video Interview: 'TUF 8' Finalist Phillipe Nover
This afternoon I got a chance to meet up with The Ultimate Fighter 8 lightweight finalist Phillipe "The Filipino Assassin" Nover at Fighthouse in New York City. (Coincidentally, this is the gym where I've been taking Muay Thai lessons for the last two months. So yeah, I guess you could say I'm pretty badass.) Anyway, Nover was cool enough to chat with me about his match-up with Efrain Escudero at the TUF 8 finale next Saturday, working as a registered nurse, living without bathroom privacy as a reality TV star, and his official prediction for Bader vs. Vinny; he also had a special shout-out for his Filipino fans. Later, he hit pads and rolled with a couple guys from his Team Insight crew, and tried to stay loose despite the fact that we were surrounded by a bunch of dudes with sniper rifles and one guy who was, no shit, wearing a terrorist-style dynamite vest (proof at the end of the video). Never a dull moment at Fighthouse. Thanks to Spike TV for the invite.
(BG)
Login or register to post comments
DIGG THIS 
Comments
Mabuhay Says:
Way to represent Phillipe! You conducted yourself quite well in the house, and you give your kababayans much to be proud of. Good luck agains Efrain, your countrymen will be rooting for you!
Old, Bald and Irish Says:
"Fat guy...in a little jacket...wearing a bomb vest..."
CHRIS FARLEY LIVES!
B Says:
No shit... I was born at Methodist and went to school across the street from Coney Island lol.
Gaylord "The Filipino Assassin" Fawker Says:
I got a 97% on my MCAT, I swear!
Fenix Says:
Seems like an all around good and respectful guy. I can't wait for this fight. I have no favorite. Either one will make a great TUF winner rep.
Pete Says:
Phillipe is great for the sport. He has an ever-growing arsenal of skills and conducts himself like a true professional. I wish him luck and think he will do some great things in the sport.
John Kimble Says:
Damn son, i knew you were too educated to not be from new york. I'll have to stop by some time.
gvd Says:
Seems like a cool dude. Who would have thought the guy who fainted in the first episode would go on to the finals. I really have to stop judging people too fast.
Joe T Says:
you said it GVD, fainted?...and now wins?....
http://www.fromthecage.com
Pinoyassasin Says:
mabuhay ka! kaibigan! im proud to be a pinoy!!!
Me Says:
Just stop dropping that right hand during those combos and it'll be a great fight. Liked both these guys in the house so I'm cool with either winning.
Dagnut Says:
Expect this guy to be a star..not only is he talented but the UFC has a huge market in the Philippines and he will be groomed for success....and he deserves it.
Kevin Fry Says:
Ben G def. Kevin Ferguson at K-1 World Grand Prix 2011 via Submission: Punishment, by way of cutting scarcasam ;)
PotatoHead Says:
Great interview, Ben... two 1st-Class guys really representing the sport well.
OneHump Says:
This guy is going to kill. He is the un-Junie and is everything the sport needs to move in the right direction. No doubt that we'll see Nover/Penn in the next nine months? Won't be so far fetched once he rolls over douchebags like Sherk and Kenflo.
Me Says:
Not likely OneHump, for so, so many reasons, not the least of which is the fact that we are talking about BJ Penn here. But to schedule him against 2 top guys in a division that is packed after just a TUF final win, then give him a title shot?
No, it's not far fetched... it's ludicrous.
For the record, Florian is no pushover... or a douche.
Bliz Says:
Nover was one of the guys i actally like on the show and im glad to see him make it to the finals. Anyone else notice that most of the lightweights are assholes? Junie, Kaplan, Junie, the prick who gaveup against Junie to first let him on the show,Junie. I mean, normally you got one or two but five? Junie counts as three of course, adding in the dochebg to stupid blonde reality tv star wanna be ratio.
Dagnut Says:
@onehump
Florian is a douche? since when? what fights have you been watching this year because I saw him beat 3 guys convincingly..I suppose Huerta ia a douche aswell is he?
IMO florain was one of the fighters of 08 @32 he has up'd his skills has great cardio and seems to be out thinking his opponents..he won't beat penn but who will
Emo Sux Says:
sooooo... whats with the senior citizens holding rifles (at 5:58)???
walrus Says:
New York -- down
Chicago -- up
Da Truth Says:
Keep It Real! Nover rocks but he is never gunna "roll over" Sherk or Florian...this weight division is stacked with talent and he would be best to take it easy at the start instead of acruing a losing record...