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The Ultimate Fighter is
a reality television series and mixed martial arts (MMA)
competition, originating from United States, and produced by Spike
TV and the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). In a format similar
to the TV series Survivor and Big Brother, professional MMA fighters
that have yet to make a big name for themselves are situated in a
house outside of Las Vegas, Nevada and compete against each other
for the title of The Ultimate Fighter, winning a six-figure,
multi-fight contract with the UFC.
For the first four seasons, prospect UFC fighters were selected in
two weight classes. The fighters are divided into two teams,
irrespective of weight class, each team coached by a current UFC
headliner. The teams then compete (in a manner which varies by
season) to determine which team would have the right to pair one of
their own fighters against an opponent of their choice in the same
weight class to an MMA match, the loser eliminated from competition.
At the end of a season, the two remaining fighters of each weight
class are placed in a single-elimination tournament, where the title
of Ultimate Fighter is awarded to the winner. From season five
onwards, all fighters competing are in the same weight class.
The show features the daily preparations each fighter makes to train
for competition and the interactions they have with each other
living under the same roof. Day-to-day events on the show are
overseen by UFC president Dana White.
With the exception of the season finales, fights on The Ultimate
Fighter are sanctioned by the Nevada Athletic Commission as
exhibition matches and do not count for or against a fighters
professional record. This is done to keep the results from going
public before the air date.
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The Ultimate Fighter
1 (January 18, 2005�April 9, 2005) - Light heavyweights and
middleweights
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The Ultimate Fighter
2 (August 22, 2005�November 5, 2005) - Heavyweights and
welterweights
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The Ultimate Fighter
3 (April 6, 2006�June 24, 2006) - Light heavyweights and
middleweights
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The Ultimate Fighter
4: The Comeback (August 17, 2006�November 11, 2006) -
Middleweights and welterweights
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The Ultimate Fighter
5 (April 5, 2007�June 23, 2007) - Lightweights
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The Ultimate Fighter
6: Team Hughes vs. Team Serra (September 19, 2007-December 8,
2007) - Welterweights
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The Ultimate Fighter
7: Team Rampage vs. Team Forrest (April 2, 2008 - Current)
Middleweights
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The Ultimate Fighter 8: Team Nogueira vs. Team Mir
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The Ultimate Fighter 9: Team US vs. Team UK
Official Website
Spike TV's Ultimate Fighter page
UFC Official Website
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