The Reality Show that saved the UFC
The 32nd season of "The Ultimate Fighter" premiered last night and hopes to continue 20 more years of memories, fights, meltdowns, and conflicts that make reality TV and sports so entertaining
I’ve never been a big reality TV person (except America’s Got Talent for some reason is unbelievable) but last night the 32nd season of The Ultimate Fighter premiered and it is a sports reality show that always delivers entertainment of some sort…
It was first filmed in 2004 celebrating not only its 32nd season, but its 20th year anniversary as the show that single handedly saved the UFC.
*My previous post, “Getting to UFC 300,” details history/finances of the company*
The show has produced 15 UFC world champions and this year has athletes from 14 different nations represented. A show representing a sport and a company that truly is world wide.
It has produced moments that will be engrained in UFC and sports history forever.
The first Ultimate Fighter finale saved the UFC and will forever be known as the most important moment in company history:
“It’s amazing to think… how close we came to not being here today. If it weren’t for what these guys did, I don’t know if there would even be a UFC. I’ll never forget these guys. Ever.” - Dana White
The “guys” Dana White is referring to are Forest Griffin and Stephan Bonnar.
The UFC was broke, lacked sustainable viewership, and had every platform turning them away.
It was until a new broadcast company, Spike TV, and the UFC formed a mutual relationship that helped propel both of them to where they are today.
In came the airing of the first ever MMA event on live/free TV.
*Funny to note it took multiple business meetings for Spike to accept. They wanted to go with SlamBall (a trampoline basketball league) because they thought fans would appeal more it*
"We literally met with every network, every sports network -- from the big broadcasters, NBC, ABC, CBS, the obvious, ESPN -- multiple times," said Lorenzo Fertitta, the CEO of the UFC in 2004. "Met with anybody that would take a meeting. We couldn't get anybody to bite because everybody was very concerned that the product was too violent, not something they could put on TV. It was too bloody. They didn't want to see guys bleeding on the mat. TV executives were saying this is flat-out boring." -Lorenzo Fertitta
Fast forward to the finale of the Ultimate Fighter Season 1 where millions of viewers were reached for the first time, and the UFC knew they made it.
Forrest Griffin vs Stephan Bonnar
Griffin was a cop in a small town in Georgia. He had heard about it, didn’t want to accept because of fear of losing his job, and then 17 days later was on the show filming - won the competition and is now a Hall of Fame former champion
Bonnar accepted mainly because his girlfriend loved reality TV and convinced him it was always good to be on the first season (and he was a great fighter) - lost, but still got signed and was a Hall of Famer (died in 2022)
And now, that matchup, and that performance is the reason the UFC is who they are today and why in my eyes they will forever have the Ultimate Fighter
Highlight Video: Forrest Griffin vs Stephan Bonnar
There are countless memorable moments, rivalries, meltdowns, and unbelievable fights throughout the 31 seasons so far.
My personal favorites moments off the top of my head (not fights):
Nate Diaz living room fiasco, Season 5: Nate Diaz House Fight
Rampage Jackson destroying a door, Season 10: Rampage vs Door
Chael Sonner “I can’t let you get close,” TUF Brazil 3: Chael vs Silva
Conor McGregor “python skin shoes,” Season 22: Python Skin
These are just the first four moments that come to mind. You can only imagine the chaos, entertainment, and memorable moment that come from sticking 16 fighters all under the same roof for weeks at a time…
Even if you aren’t in it for the fights, the entertainment of reality TV with so many unique characters is good TV.
If you have time, these are the two best compilations of memorable moments I found throughout TUF’s history:
Compilation Part 1
Compilation Part 2
I highly recommend watching TUF or at the minimum catch the highlights. Some episodes are better than others. But if you’re a sports fan or a reality TV fan, then it is definitely entertaining.
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