The greatest reality TV show ever!

The Ultimate FighterThe greatest reality TV show ever!

This weekend on April 13th see’s the finale of The Ultimate Fighter season 16, or what many fans know it as TUF. This is a reality TV show like no other, created in 2005.

The synopsis of the show is two established UFC stars have a team of young fighters, where each week they train to fight “one on one” against a member of the other team. If you lose you are out (although they have introduced one wild card opportunity). Basically they are all fighting for the same goal, to become The Ultimate Fighter, thus winning a six figure contract with the UFC.

TUF S1The added twist to this is that all the fighters live in the same house, under the same roof, with no TV or internet and no contact with the outside world throughout the show.

If you are a veteran of watching every series like me, you know what kind of drama this can cause through boredom.

Oh and I forgot to add, before all that, the contenders have to win a fight to even get in the house.

Another added value to the show is the fact that the two coaches  fight each other after the show has finished. Often for a title and often there is bad blood between them.

When The Ultimate Fighter began in 2005, nobody knew exactly what to expect. For me it was clear from the very first show that it was going to be a hit. The first series had characters such as Chris Leban, Josh Koscheck and Diego Sanchez with coaches Chuck Liddell and Randy Couture who fought for the UFC Light Heavyweight title a week after the finale.

My predictions of this show being a hit was justified after the thrilling finale, and now iconic battle between Forrest Griffin and Stephan Bonner. The world witnessed an absolute slug fest for three rounds. Some say this was the fight that announced UFC to the world and began its meteoric rise.

For me The Ultimate Fighter has been a big contribution to why the UFC has become so popular over the years. I remember this being reiterated in a recent interview with 50 Cent about boxing.

TUF S16He referred to the fact that boxing fans do not have the same connection with fighters as UFC fans do, due to shows like The Ultimate Fighter.

He explained, with shows like the TUF the fans can follow a fighter’s career from start, right up to him becoming a champion. So they develop a vested interest with the fighters.

The Ultimate fighter has unearthed many established past and present stars in the UFC and created fighters that has gone on to claim multiple UFC titles.

It has even gone full circle to the point where fighters who started their careers on the show, have come back to be a coach. This list includes Forrest Griffin, Rashad Evans, Michael Bisping, Josh Koscheck, Ross Pearson and Roy Nelson.

TUF S4Matt Serra won the season four “comebacks” series which were fighters who had already fought in the UFC but not had a title fight.

Five months after winning series four, he went on to shock the world and beat George St Pierre for the Welterweight title. (although he lost the rematch a year later)

Eight months after becoming the new UFC Welterweight Champion, he was a coach on The Ultimate Fighter series six against the welterweight legend Matt Hughes.

The rivalry between the coaches has made this show very competitive and exciting to watch. It has given us some great battles such as Ortiz v Shamrock. Jackson v Evans. St Pierre v Koscheck. Cruz v Faber and the current series Jones v Sonnen.

TUF BrazilThey have since expanded to involve counties such as England, Brazil and Australia.

In series 18 they will break more new ground by having two female coaches for the first time. One’s already named as the current UFC woman’s champions Ronda Rousey.

When you talk about reality TV, look no further. TUF is the only reality show worth talking about, considering or giving the time of day. When you talk about reality TV stars, in my opinion these are the only people who deserve fame, fortune and the notoriety reality TV now brings. Long live The Ultimate Fighter.

Some of the best TUF moments as explained by Joe Rogan.

R.I.P doors in TUF. lol

Memorable TUF moments.

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