The Ultimate Fighter is a reality of American television and mixed martial arts (MMA) competition produced by Spike TV and the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), and soon to be shown on FX. The show features unknown fighters, MMA professionals living together in Las Vegas, Nevada, and follows them as they train and compete for a contract awarded the UFC. The series premiered on January 17, 2005, with its first episode, "The Quest Begins." To date, there have been thirteen seasons of the series, two per calendar year, with fourteenth scheduled. Each station has one or two weight classes in the tournament.
The historic Forrest Griffin vs. Stephan Bonnar fight in the first season attracted millions of viewers to the series and launched the sport into the mainstream. Because of this success, The Ultimate Fighter was considered critical to the survival and expansion of the UFC. Many UFC fighters are current and former alumni of the sample, with some of its competitors will be the coaches in the coming seasons. The show has undergone several format changes since its inception, including the introduction of the wild fight. Many of the winners have gone on to compete for the championship with some becoming UFC UFC champions.
Sixteen men travel to Las Vegas with a dream, one goal - to become The Ultimate Fighter. These young men are great athletes, discipline in the wide range of mixed martial arts that include wrestling, boxing, judo, jiu-jitsu, karate and kickboxing. Each has the dream, the hope and the will to fight in an Ultimate Fighting Championship event. During the show the competitors will take your training to a higher level. They will be brought to Las Vegas where the UFC brand has its National Training Center.
Last season Ramsey Nijem and Ferguson, Tony slug it out for the UFC contract while Clay Guida and Anthony "Showtime" Pettis show what happens when two high-energy light weights collide.