As a child, TUF 10 contestant Darrill Schoonover was a big fan of boxing. He used to mimic his ring heroes by fighting in the streets and wanted to train at a gym so he could grow up to become a pro fighter. His parents refused to allow him because they thought he would end up getting into even more trouble on the street.

Then at age 17, an uncle introduced him to martial arts. He trained jiu-jitsu with his uncle and his interest in mixed martial arts was spawned. He started watching fights on TV and became a big fan of Duane Ludwig. "I used to love watching him fight," Schoonover claims.

From troubled youth to college history major, Schoonover enters the 10th season of The Ultimate Fighter with a 10-0 record as a pro. All 10 of those fights have been stoppages and his diversity is obvious as the wins are half-submissions and half-TKOs.

The big-time MMA prospect has agreed to blog his experiences and thoughts during the show.  Schoonover took time to speak with us less than 24 hours before the the season premiere of the show and explained how all this started.

FiveKnuckles: How does a Central Texas College history major become a professional mixed martial artist?

Darrill Schoonover: I haven't actually graduated. I was majoring in history. I was in my 2nd semester then I had to get out to go on to The Ultimate Fighter.

FiveKnuckles: How did you originally get involved in the sport?

Darrill Schoonover: I got involved around 7 seven years ago with my uncle. It was more like a challenge. I was always getting into trouble or whatever, always fighting. My uncle said to me,"you think you're so bad? Why don't you come over here?" I went over there and started training and in my first week I had my first amateur fight.

FiveKnuckles: So your uncle was into mixed martial arts or was it a particular art that he was involved in?

Darrill Schoonover: He got me started in jiu-jitsu and judo then I went into MMA from there.

FiveKnuckles: How much were you able to learn as a result of your experience on TUF?

Darrill Schoonover: Actually, I learned a whole lot just from being in there, being around my coaches, and being around all those other heavyweights. Roy Nelson was actually one of the big guys that showed me a bunch of stuff too.

FiveKnuckles- Are you allowed to reveal whose team you were on?

Darrill Schoonover: I'm not actually supposed to but it was already in a magazine. Our picture was in there and we were all wearing our colored jerseys so you could see what team we were on.

FiveKnuckles- This question would apply to either Rashad or Rampage; what's it like to train under a former UFC champion who's had such a great career?

Darrill Schoonover: Coming in, either guy would have been great to train with. I was hoping to get on Team Rashad just for the fact that Albuquerque is closer to my home town. I was hoping to go in there and make some acquaintances and hopefully go down there and train with those guys.

FiveKnuckles: You know I have to ask about Kimbo. What can you tell us about him?

Darrill Schoonover: I can tell...