Wessel dabbled in professional football and served as the strength and conditioning coach for the University of Arkansas football team before turning to MMA. The 31-year-old Ohioan trains at the same West Side Kickboxing gym that produced “The Ultimate Fighter 8” alum Roli Delgado. Unbeaten in his first six bouts, Wessel received a rude welcome to the Octagon when he was dismissed by Antoni Hardonk in a second-round technical knockout at UFC 92.