The reality show 'The Ultimate Fighter' arrives at its 33rd season this Wednesday. Photo: Disclosure
Two decades after its debut, the new season of The Ultimate Fighter returns to the public this Tuesday (27) on Fight Pass, by having Daniel Cormier e Chael Sonnen as coaches. If nowadays many UFC fans do not follow the new editions of TUF or even know the program, it is undeniable that the creation and success of reality show are among the most important moments in the history of Ultimate and the growth of MMA in the West as a whole.
Another season begins! ⏳# TUF33 premieres TOMORROW at 10pmET on ESPN2 & @ESPNMore pic.twitter.com/eiWwyrREKN
— The Ultimate Fighter (@UltimateFighter) May 27, 2025
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Therefore, the SUPER FIGHTS selected some of the program's contributions to sport, from historic moments to athletes revealed by the product.
Check out the best moments from The Ultimate Fighter
The fight that saved the UFC
Bonnar (left) and Griffin (right) made a historic TUF 1 final. Photo: Disclosure
If today Dana White's event leads the world MMA scene by itself, the situation was very different 20 years ago. While PRIDE was doing very well in Japan, the UFC was struggling to erase the bad reputation it had had since the 90s and was trying at all costs (literally) to turn the sport into a profitable business in the US. Thus, the first season of The ultimate fighter, in January 2005, it emerged as the Fertitta brothers' last attempt at investing in the sport.
the end of reality show was the biggest turning point in the organization's history. Valid for the light heavyweight category (up to 93 kg), the fight between Forrest griffin e Stephan bonnar had such high audience numbers that it was enough to guarantee the renewal of the product for another season, in addition to having catapulted the names of the two athletes to stardom.
Future world champions
Serra (photo) used TUF to get close to the UFC title. Photo: Disclosure
It wasn't long before the reality show bear fruit and show the public and media that there were real talents coming to the Ultimate through the new product. In fact, the champions of the first four seasons of TUF ended up winning belts at some point in their careers. In addition to Forrest griffin, Rashad Evas, Michael Bisping and Matt Serra, more recent names like Alexandre pantoja e Kamaru Usman passed by The Ultimate Fighter house.
Rivalries
Claudia gadelha e Joanna Jedrzejczyk. Photo: Reproduction / YouTube
Although, in theory, the program was intended to introduce new talents to the general public and give them the opportunity to develop in the biggest MMA event in the world, the UFC knew how to capitalize on some of the biggest rivalries in the organization's history when choosing the coaches for each season.
cody garbrandt e TJ Dillashaw, Rashad evans e Quinton jackson, Ronda Rousey e Miesha Tate. These were just some of the feuds that marked an era and experienced some of their most tense moments in front of the cameras of The Ultimate Fighter.
Fan Favorites
In addition to champions, the program also revealed figures who would become known to the public over many years. Kenny Florian, Stephan bonnar, Josh koscheck e Chris Leben In addition to standing out for their skills inside the octagon, they were also capable of generating reactions in crowds around the world when they entered to compete.
Success in Brazil
Logo of The Ultimate Fighter Brasil.
Due to its success in Uncle Sam's land, the format was exported to several other nations, mainly those seen as interesting markets for the UFC. In this context, 'TUF Brazil: In Search of Champions' premiered on TV Globo in 2012, having Vitor belfort e Wanderlei Silva as coaches.
The Ultimate Fighter lasted four seasons in Brazil, and revealed names like Antonio Shoe Guy, Santiago Ponzinibbio e Francisco Massaranduba.
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