OCALA -- Ultimate fighting continues it's rise in popularity and one of its most popular fighters hails from Ocala.
News 13's David Baumann introduces us to Jeremy May.
"The Ultimate Fighter" is like MTV's Real World meets "Survivor" meets ultimate fighting -- competitors fight their way to the No. 1 spot.
"The first episode of 'The Ultimate Fighter' came out three years ago and I remember thinking, 'Oh, that would be awesome if I made that show, but it'll never happen,'" May told Baumann.
May has made it alright and is one of the stars of the reality show, but he got knocked out on the May 8 episode.
"I'm kinda disappointed I had to block a kick with my face, but oh well, it happens. I got gassed, what can I say," May said about his defeat.
The crooked-nosed May is filled with personality, not only on TV, but in person. But he doesn't always rub people the right way.
"Every show needs a villain and it just so happens it's Jeremy May, but he's really a good kid," said Chris Hickman, Mays' trainer.
"I'm not that kind of guy who walks around with a chip on his shoulder that says, 'Oh, don't mess with me.' Mess with me and I'll mess with you back and we'll have a good time," Mays said.
Ultimate Fighting is now a full-time gig for May. He sold off his painting business to pursue his fighting goals. What's next is a trip to Colorado to train with the best of the best in UFC fighting, the major league of ultimate fighting.
"This is a dream of mine and I figure while I'm young I might as well chase it. I can always go back to that and make more money than I'm making now," May said.
Comment on this story.