
When the photo of The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 5 cast was revealed, it was pretty hard to miss the giant among the motley crew.
That’s because most 155 pounders are on the small side — certainly not 6′4.”
In an Los Angeles Times article, special contributor Dave Meltzer gives some nice background on the bean stalk, Corey Hill.
Here’s a snip:
“Corey Hill is 6-4, and towers over the rest of the cast, and who becomes a centerpiece of the show from the first episode of the series. While 6-4, 155 pounds sounds frail, and at first glance he looks to be a boxer or kickboxer, he was actually a multi-time high school state champion wrestler in Florida. He won one state title at a time he was 6-2 and 119 pounds. But he’s now close to 30, married and with a family, and hasn’t competed in years, but may be the best athlete in the bunch.”
Sounds like freak of nature.
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Sounds to me like someones gonna get submitted…. fast.
All hes got is the long arms for striking take that away in the clinch and he does’nt got a prair with like 2% muscle tone…
For every advantage, theres a disadvantage, and vice versa. A good wrestler is a good wrestler no matter his height. I cant wait to see the new season
I was 6-3 145 in high school wrestling, the height didn’t affect my wrestling, not that i was a top contender. I love this show. These guys live together then fight each other, how great is that
His heroes include Linsey Lohan, Ashley Olsen and Lara Flynn Boyle.
I though 6′6” Kendall Grove fighting at 185 lbs. was crazy, but this is unbelievable. Some of those guys don’t look more than 5′5”. Can you imagine the reach advantage Hill would enjoy against one of THOSE guys? This could get interesting…
yeah he has a huge reach advamtage but does he have snap in his punches?
wrestled with corey for 2 years at colby, the guy is crazy tough and i would expect some outstanding performances from him.
This guy has got a huge disadvantage at that weight. At the smaller weight divisions the shorter guy can pack on more muscle and strength and still weigh in at the same weight as a taller fighter. Ground games are all about strenght and leverage.
this is a good argument joe, but corey wrestled at 157 in college, and ran into many short and sout wrestlers. he was a national champ and it would be silly to think that he got this far and is not as strong as the others. if he has a weakness it might be on his feet, but one wouldnt want to forget about the reach advantage he would have. i think one thing that viewers will also be impressed with is his speed and mental toughness. so dont be fooled by his height.
That is a good argument joe. Although the guy is a national champ, it would be silly to think that he has not run into a bunch of short muscle bound college wrestlers his whole career or infact his whole life. I think if he has made it this far his height is probably one of his advantages, especialy in the leverage department.
Has he got a knickname, yet?
“Compound” Corey Hill.
As in compound fracture, because that is what’s gonna happen when he faces the cream at 155. This aint wrestling, duke. When he gets taken down by a BJJ fighter, bones are gonna be sticking outta him like quills on a porcupine.
He has no solid center of gravity in which to rotate with or balance from. Where is his leverage advantage?
But, I do look forward to see him fight, kinda will remind me of “The Giant” that faced Crocop in K-1.
well these are very good pionts, and the nickname is pretty funny. I also like the porcupine thing, it draws a nice mental image. But once again to his defense. Bjj arist is going to need to take him down first, good luck I say. if you can take him down, you deserve it.
I bet you will not only see a good center of gravity, but one that can win a national tournament. but yes i agree “this aint wrestling” but a single leg and a double leg defense is just that a single leg and a double leg defense.
as for the leverage its goes two ways equaly, yea it can be a disadvantage but it is just as much a advantage. and like i say, he didn’t tall yesterday. it will be interesting to see how things turn out.
I just like to say good luck to a friend.
I look forward to watching him, I really do. Though, at that weight class, I cant see how he can maintain the strength and speed needed to win at the top level. I’m not dissing him, it just physiomechanics. His mass contains more bone, tissue, organ size, etc than a guy who is 155lbs and 5′7″. The smaller fighters mass will contain more muscle, and hence more strength. Reach advantage is only worth a shit if the guy knows how to use it, and as MMA fighters have to focus on so many other parts of the game, few, very few know how to. And taking him down? There is no way a guy that tall could ever defend a takedown against a skilled BJJ fighter like Florian or wrestler like Sherk. Why doesnt he step up to 170? There I could see his size as an advantage.
most guys react differentally when there being pounded from the top, you said he has mental toughness so we’ll see what comes of him. i still say i’m going to be impressed if he does overpower some dude at a natural 155, ya gotta have long legs for triangles and arm bars but he’ll be easy to hold on to. if you ask me i’d said if he knows good Muai Thai he’ll kill you in a clinch…
I think he will surprise some people. i cant speak on his muai thai, but he is a quick learner and does have some boney knees (ouch). i cant wait to see how things unfold. I hope he lights some people up, but we’ll see.
[quote comment=”13328″]Sounds to me like someones gonna get submitted…. fast.
All hes got is the long arms for striking take that away in the clinch and he does’nt got a prair with like 2% muscle tone…[/quote]
Hey melvin,
speaking of submitting, you will learn a lesson in submissions when you see joe in the other corner of the octagon, starring you down.
known corey hill since seventh grade. this guy is unbelievably strong, quick, and mentally tough. Breaking many records in track and wresling. My brother trained a little with him and he is at 170 lb, a 20 lb difference. bro said he is impossible to take down.
I am telling you, this guy is going to be a top contender, not only in this show but in the whole UFC… I wrestled with Corey and you think he is going to have trouble with natural 155 pounders your nuts… This guy is a specimen who is tough as hell. I can’t wait forthe first episode.
Way to go Corey! We are proud of you. Of course time will tell how well Corey adjusts to MMA after being a wrestler for most of his life. But since everyone is throwing their two cents in, I will tell you that he is truly a freak of nature. I have wrestled for over 15 years and have competed and won a National title as early as last year. Even after having nearly a 20 pound weight advantage Corey could still give me all I could handle. He might not reach the top of the UFC overnight but he will annihilate some people while he climbs the ladder. Good luck Corey! Hernando County is pulling for you.
Go Corey! And for everyone else reading this:
you will soon see what this guy will do.
I wrestled with Corey at Springstead High School in Florida and he will definitely suprise people with his strength, toughness, and stamina. I’ve seen him wrestle with one arm because of a broken collerbone, and place in the state finals for the half mile. He’s an athletic freak of nature. If people think he can only control the distance of a fight with his reach and will fold when someone gets inside his defence, be ready…..
[quote comment=”14159″]Has he got a knickname, yet?
“Compound” Corey Hill.
As in compound fracture, because that is what’s gonna happen when he faces the cream at 155. This aint wrestling, duke. When he gets taken down by a BJJ fighter, bones are gonna be sticking outta him like quills on a porcupine.
He has no solid center of gravity in which to rotate with or balance from. Where is his leverage advantage?
But, I do look forward to see him fight, kinda will remind me of “The Giant” that faced Crocop in K-1.[/quote]
Dude, I’m telling you this kid is a freak. He’s excelled at every wrestling level he’s been in and if his grades wre better would have been in a division one school. In 1996 he was voted by the Florida high school coaches as the most outstanding wrestler of any level and weight class. He’s just got a rediculously fast metabolism and can keep weight off. He will be waiting for people to try and think they can get inside his defenses and beat him there. He can escape and hit people from angles and positions someone without his reach just couldn’t physically do. He’s a mean SOB too. Just wait till the first fight and you see what he can do. He LOVES to talk and people will want to fight him just becauase they hate him. This will be a bad move.
For you gentleman who are doubting my boy the from the Hill, be prepared to take down some notes. You are going to be amazed by what you will see. Corey is the real deal. He may not win the whole thing, but I guareetee you will respect him after you see him fight. He is a lot stronger than you think. Don’t let his size fool you. Duke, Aaron, Tim, Roy, and Mike know exactly what they are talking about.
Corey Hill will be the the ultimate fighter champ. He is with out a doubt one of the most natural freaks of nature. He is going to attack these guys from all angles that the other competitors cant stop. With his crazy lung stamina and giant heart, he will bring it every round until he’s the only one standing. Go Corey and make hernando county proud.
I remember wrestling Corey Hill in high school. He was strong and skilled. I believe that the last year I wrestled him, he won the state championship and took 2nd at nationals (although I could be mistaken).
I also remember driving Corey home one night and having a gun pulled on me by his pissed-off brother, but that is another story.
He will do well. I will definitely be watching to see how he does. Do not discount this natural athlete.
Yeah for all the non believers you will all see that Corey is tough as hell. I wrestled with him also and I was a solid 189 and he was strong enough to contend with me on the ground at times. He is tall and some of the guys have been doing this longer but Corey is an Athletic freak of nature and will represent Hernando county to the fullest. What up Chris and Mike Larrocca.
[quote comment=”27479″]Yeah for all the non believers you will all see that Corey is tough as hell. I wrestled with him also and I was a solid 189 and he was strong enough to contend with me on the ground at times. He is tall and some of the guys have been doing this longer but Corey is an Athletic freak of nature and will represent Hernando county to the fullest. What up Chris and Mike Larrocca.[/quote]
What up Eric, man stop lying your ass was 200 lbs. Cory is crazy man. I think he is going to fight someone in the house. He is aggressive and he is going to get in their heads. I can’t wait to see my boy throw dem thangs.
CCC TROJANS!
Did he lose his first match last night of the new season?.. i heard it was pretty bad too
those tall dudes always (if they had skills) gave trouble to me when I wrestled as a brawny 177……they just posed different matchup problems and while most people they wrestled were the same to them, most “others” don’t get to see such a lanky dude but 2x per year so they, if they were good, sometimes could be very very good.
I wrestled with Corey at Springstead HS…his height and long arms drove me crazy.
Dre? Dre Who? If thats true then how did I wrestle 189 in 94? Derby what up man? Its like class reunion in this piece.
oh yeah and CCC Corey did NOT fight last night but rest assured that when he does he will represent!
ahhhh i got lied too sorry… any of u go to CCC or was it just corey?
i like his attitude, i don’t know the guy, but i’ll be cheering for him, diaz and lauzen…
I lived with corey at CCC and wrestled 174
I AM THE PROMOTER OF NO MERCY EXTREME FIGHTING IN CS COLORADO. COREY HAS BEEN TRAINING WITH OUR PARTNERS FIGHT TEAM “KONGO DO”. THE GUY HAS SERIOUS SKILLS. HE IS NOT ALLOWED TO TALK ABOUT THE SHOW WHEN HE CAME BACK FROM FILMING, BUT HE SEEMS HAPPY AND WE ARE ALL DYING TO FIND OUT HOW HE DID. AGAIN HE CANNOT TALK ABOUT IT BUT I AM SURE HE DID GREAT. EITHER WAY WE HERE ARE ALL ROOTING FOR HIM AND ARE HAVING TO WAIT AND SEE.
man cory was my training partner before he left for the show its funny how so many people talk shit and have nothing to back it up corys gonna make it just fine in the ufc you wait and see id put money on him over all you punks
[quote comment=”28264″]Dre? Dre Who? If thats true then how did I wrestle 189 in 94? Derby what up man? Its like class reunion in this piece.[/quote]
Dre Brooks man. Man I just hope Corey doesn’t do something to get kick out of the house.
Well If you see Corey tell him Duke Said whats up. thanks
[quote comment=”13746″]i think one thing that viewers will also be impressed with is his speed and mental toughness. so dont be fooled by his height.[/quote]
Mental toughness, eh? Woof woof! Where’re my dogs at!? Haha - his behaviour reminded me of a 12 year old kid after watching a DMX music video.
first Off, What up Dre! the hardest Tailback in SHS history! Where you at man?
Back to Corey its funny how all these haters dissin Corey when I would love to see them in the ring hell or even on the mat with him. Tall yes, skinny hell yeah but Hills got heart and he’s been through alot. Antics aside dont let the theatrics fool you he will handle his business!
E. Scribbles the best linebacker I ever played with averaging 15 tackles a game standing at 5″5. I am working at the “U” in Miami. What up to everybody in the blog who representing Hernando County A.K.A. “The Hill or The Ville”
I agree with Eric, I understand some people may think Cory is crazy but he is not. He is just playing the role. I have never known Cory to be that way, but hey some peoples attitudes change when they are competing for something. Plus we are talking about fighting someone. You are not suppose to like anyone. It’s called intimidation gentleman!!
Whats up Corey Hill fans. Corey has his own web page now it is coreyhillmma.com Check him out there.
[quote comment=”27479″]Yeah for all the non believers you will all see that Corey is tough as hell. I wrestled with him also and I was a solid 189 and he was strong enough to contend with me on the ground at times. He is tall and some of the guys have been doing this longer but Corey is an Athletic freak of nature and will represent Hernando county to the fullest. What up Chris and Mike Larrocca.[/quote]
What up Eric and Dre. Hope all is good with the both of ya.
I gotta agree, I wrestle 189 with Corey also. He always gave me a run for my money.
There must be alot of short dudes giving an opinion on this one, I fight at 155lbs and I study BJJ as well as boxing, In most cases I’m comfortable on my back…but in this case, Corey is 1= a very good wrestler (wrestler’s love being on top) and 2= his fucking arms are crazy long wich makes things very easy for him to connect from a safe distance not just standing but in someone’s guard.
He has another level of intensity and trains like a muther fucker. For the guy who says 2% muscle tone…Dude this is MMA not bodybuilding. I love these guys who lift weights and think that because they have muscle that makes them a fighter, if that was the case then Mr. Olympia would be the toughest guy in the world.
Corey takes that show. He’ll win it.
Good luck using leverage against a guy who at 155 has a ground base as wide as a heavy weight, if you’d spend more time on the mats and less time infront of the tv you’d know this…DIESEL.
AR!AR!AR! AR!AR!
Okay What the F*ck with the guy crying tonight on Ultimate Fighter? Theres no Crying in MMA. Plus the guy did not listen at all to the coached! He got his A$$ kicked and then he cried like a school girl? Man thats the lamest Shyt Ever. As for our boy Corey looks like he will finally get a chance to get him some next week.
[quote comment=”13328″]Sounds to me like someones gonna get submitted…. fast.
All hes got is the long arms for striking take that away in the clinch and he does’nt got a prair with like 2% muscle tone…[/quote]
You truely don’t the giant like I do.Corey is hungry.And his hunger is directed at the prize.He has more than a long arm reach.Hell he is from the country.All of you haters are going to see my cousin’s true potential.