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Since debuting on Spike TV in 2005, The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) has been important in developing the future of the UFC.
TUF is a reality show that gives viewers a behind-the-scenes look at what preparation is like for a UFC bout. The show has since become synonymous with the UFC and an indicator of who some of its future stars could be. Each episode features a challenge that determines which coach gets to select the next fight.
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Once the fight is determined, both fighters go through their preparations to ensure they make weight and are ready to compete. TUF is a tournament style bracket, so once the preliminary portion is complete, the fighters are matched up until two remain. The two remaining fighters then go through training camps and compete in the TUF finale for a UFC contract.
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It was recently announced that the popular show will return for season 30 in 2022. This list will look at 5 reasons why The Ultimate Fighter is important for the UFC.
#5. TUF tests fighters mentally and physically
Kicking off this list of reasons why TUF is important is that the show tests the fighters both mentally and physically. TUF is a great opportunity for the promotion to see whether the fighters could handle being a UFC athlete. Fighters are taken out of their comfort zones when participating in the show and are even separated from their families and forced to live in the fighter house for the duration of filming.
Even if fighters are defeated, they still need to make sure they’re prepared to step in at any moment. Injuries have happened in the past and an impressive performance could lead to a fighter getting a second opportunity. In addition, fighters train daily, take part in challenges, and cut weight for their respective bouts on the show. This could be a real mental toll for all the fighters involved.
TUF testing fighters mentally and physically is important because it shows the UFC which competitors are willing to go the extra mile.
#4. Encourages fighters to showcase their personalities
Another reason why TUF is important is because the show encourages fighters to showcase their personalities. TUF is unique in that it’s a reality show. Reality TV has always relied on captivating personalities to increase ratings. The interview scenes help introduce the fighters to the audience. Interview scenes and interactions in the fighter house is what leads to the audience towards being invested in the competitors.
Participating on TUF is a great opportunity for fighters to gain exposure. Being seen on TUF week-after-week can be just as beneficial as competing on the undercard of a UFC Fight Night event.
Showcasing the personalities of fighters is a win-win for the promotion and the TUF competitors. The promotion gains more viewers and trends on social media and the fighters gain more of a following.
#3. TUF provides fighters a pathway to the UFC
TUF provides fighters with a pathway into the UFC. The UFC is viewed as the premier MMA promotion and rightfully so. The promotion has grown leaps and bounds since its inaugural event and now garners mainstream attention. With that in mind, it’s understandable why fighters strive to get the opportunity to compete in the UFC. However, it’s not that easy.
Many TUF alumni have received an opportunity to compete in the UFC even if they were defeated on the show. In some cases, competing on TUF was the only way they could get a UFC contract.
Uriah Hall is a great example of a fighter whose path to the UFC went through TUF. To this day, Hall’s spin-kick knockout of Adam Cella is one of the top knockouts in the show’s history. The knockout was so devastating that Hall became both the favorite to win and the most feared striker on the show.
Hall has been in the UFC for 8 years and has had his fair share of success. Although he wasn't the TUF winner or UFC middleweight champion, he knocked out Anderson Silva in his final UFC fight. One could argue that his win over Silva was more important than winning a title. The reputation Hall earned from his time on TUF can be credited for him being considered as an opponent for Silva.
Watch Hall's memorable knockout on TUF below:
#2. More promotion for coaches' bout
One of the main reasons why TUF is important is that it provides more promotion for the coaches’ upcoming fight. Each season has two head coaches leading and training their respective teams throughout the season. After the season finale, the two coaches then serve as one of the headliners for an event.
There are some exceptions, such as when Conor McGregor led his European team against Urijah Faber's American team back in 2015.
A proven formula has been selecting two coaches that dislike one another. Heated rivalries can add drama and help increase viewership. TUF has showcased many of the UFC’s biggest rivalries and has led to more interest in the eventual fight.
Some rivalries that’ve benefited from coaching TUF include Rashad Evans vs. ‘Rampage’ Jackson, Tito Ortiz vs. Ken Shamrock, and Georges St-Pierre vs. Josh Koscheck.
The pay-per-view buyrates have been proof of that. Ortiz vs Shamrock 2, which took place at UFC 61, generated 775,000 buys, St-Pierre vs Koscheck 2 headlined UFC 124 and generated 800,000 buys and 'Rampage' Jackson vs. Evans at UFC 114 generated 1,050,000 buys.
#1. TUF creates new stars for the UFC
TUF creates new stars for the UFC. The main goal of TUF is to bring in must-see fighters. Throughout the history of TUF, there have been many seasons that’ve produced multiple stars for the UFC.
Season 1 was important because it helped introduce many fighters and added plenty of depth to multiple divisions. TUF 1 fighters include Forrest Griffin, Stephan Bonnar, Diego Sanchez, Kenny Florian, Chris Leben, Josh Koscheck, Nate Quarry and Mike Swick.
Since then, each season has had its fair share of breakout stars who have taken the UFC by storm. Other notable TUF alums include Michael Bisping, Rashad Evans, T.J. Dillashaw, Ryan Bader, Rose Namajunas, Brandon Moreno, and Kamaru Usman.
Each season has had its fair share of breakout stars who have taken the UFC by storm. There have been fighters that fans have gravitated towards while they were on the show and continue to this day. TUF 13 winner Tony Ferguson and TUF 5 winner Nate Diaz are great examples of that. Their fighting styles and personalities immediately made them fan favorites and they have since become two of the UFC's most popular fighters.
