5 Best TUF seasons in UFC history
The UFC is famous for several things, but one of the most fundamental aspects of the promotion's history is a reality show known as The Ultimate Fighter. Not only is it a reality TV series, it is also a competition designed to crown the promotion's next greatest star, or at least it once was.
Contestants are coached by two veteran UFC fighters from two separate teams. The participants take part in a tournament in which the winner earns a six-figure contract. Across the years, the promotion has had countless seasons, some of which were highly entertaining, while others were forgettable.
With Conor McGregor scheduled to make his return to the octagon and TUF as a coach alongside TUF debutant Michael Chandler, this list details the five best TUF seasons in UFC history.
#5. The Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights
One of the most entertaining characters in MMA history is Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson. Unfortunately, by 2010, the game of mixed martial arts was beginning to pass him by. He was scheduled to face Rashad Evans, who had just bounced back from a devastating title loss against Lyoto Machida.
'Sugar' lost his 205 lbs crown to 'The Dragon' but found redemption by defeating Thiago Silva. His subsequent bout came against 'Rampage' at UFC 114. Before the two faced off, however, they served as coaches on TUF: Heavyweights. Both Evans and Jackson never missed an opportunity to trash-talk each other.
The coaches of the 10th Season of the Ultimate Fighter
were former bitter rivals Rashad Evans & Rampage Jackson http://t.co/pyOfuiRSkJ
Humorous exchanges between the two were common. Evans called Jackson a sucker, prompting 'Rampage' to dare him to treat him like one, which 'Sugar' promised to do. Jackson's response? Telling Evans to come lick him. That TUF season also featured Kimbo Slice's attempted UFC run.
It also included 'Rampage's' mini-feud with Darrill Schoonover, to whom he gave a mocking and vulgar nickname. Lastly, TUF: Heavyweights introduced the world to a future 265 lbs knockout artist in Roy Nelson.
#4. The Ultimate Fighter 18
The 18th installment of TUF was historic. It was the first time that women would serve as coaches in the UFC's reality TV-based tournament. Ronda Rousey was the undisputed star of the show. Initially, the former UFC women's bantamweight champion was booked to coach her team against Cat Zingano.
But an injury kept Zingano sidelined, forcing the UFC to look elsewhere. The woman they chose to replace her with was 'Rowdy's' archrival Miesha Tate. This resulted in immediate fireworks between the two as far as their interactions during the show were concerned.
The Ultimate Fighter throwback video: Ronda Rousey vs. Miesha Tate dlvr.it/RXDCvX https://t.co/UBfk7INJVn
Rousey took every chance to gloat when her team was victorious. Meanwhile, 'Cupcake' had an uncanny ability to bring out the worst in her rival. Every time Tate smiled in acknowledgement of her team's good work, Rousey mistakenly regarded it as her rival laughing at her fighter's pain.
TUF 18 is responsible for the large shift in the UFC fanbase's regard for 'Rowdy', with many turning against her and becoming eager to see her lose. Furthermore, the competition introduced the world to the future UFC women's bantamweight champion Julianna Peña, who won the tournament.
#3. The Ultimate Fighter 17
The 17th installment of The Ultimate Fighter is one of the greatest showcases of the show's tournament aspect. Oftentimes, TUF seasons are more focused on rivalries and drama-fueled situations involving UFC fighters chosen to coach teams. The most extreme example of this tendency manifests as pranks.
Instead, TUF 17 was focused on 16 fighters striving to realize their dream of fighting under Dana White's banner. Fan reception for many of the fighters was positive, with most of the contests being regarded as likable. The primary focus of the season was on the fighters.
Uriah Hall announced his retirement from MMA today. Will never forget that Adam Cella knockout on TUF.
#UFC #MMATwitter #MMA
https://t.co/nOjpbvcVYb
Even Chael Sonnen and Jon Jones—the fighters chosen to coach the teams—who tend to make most things about themselves, chose to focus on their coaching duties. It was more of a purist example of the TUF tournament. The season also produced several entertaining fights.
Very few will ever forget Uriah Hall's devastating spinning hook kick KO against Adam Cella. Furthermore, Kelvin Gastelum announced himself to the UFC with a stunning upset win against Uriah Hall.
#2. The Ultimate Fighter 5
One of the earliest installments of The Ultimate Fighter is also one of the show's greatest seasons. Former UFC lightweight and welterweight champion BJ Penn was one of the fighters chosen as a coach. His coaching counterpart was another former lightweight champion, Jens Pulver.
#OnThisDay in 2007, @NateDiaz209 won the 5th season of The Ultimate Fighter 🏆
[ New episodes of #TUF30 air every Tuesday on @ESPNPlus ] https://t.co/LzImLeuKea
That TUF season was rife with shenanigans. Nate Diaz was involved in several heated moments, chief among them involving his older brother's former opponent Karo Parisyan. After Rob Emerson used a sharpie to write a taunting message to the opposing team on the wall, Stockton's finest responded in kind.
He challenged him to a fight that never took place before gaining his revenge by writing Stockton's 209 area code on countless surfaces in the TUF house. Finally, TUF's fifth season is responsible for springboarding the stellar careers of Joe Lauzon, Gray Maynard and eventual tournament winner Nate Diaz.
#1. The Ultimate Fighter 1
The concept of a martial arts-based reality TV series began with the first installment of The Ultimate Fighter. TUF 1 is known for drawing an impressive rating that defied the expectations of the time. The fighters chosen to coach the contestants were UFC legends Randy Couture and Chuck Liddell.
TUF has produced too many unforgettable moments to capture with one video, so reply with the moment you'll always remember.
“The Return of the Ultimate Fighter” premieres Tuesday, June 1 on @ESPNPlus 👊 https://t.co/MXiYx5E7pA
The first season was among the most star-studded in the show's entire history. Future middleweight champion Forrest Griffin was joined alongside future stars like Stephan Bonnar, Josh Koscheck, Diego Sanchez, Kenny Florian and Chris Leben. The breadth of skilled fighters from TUF 1 is yet to be matched.
The first season set the stage for the rest of the series' trajectory. Hall of Famers emerged from it and it played a part in saving the promotion during one of its most difficult financial periods.