Andrew Sanchez

The Ultimate Fighter is the reality series that launched the mixed martial arts explosion around the world in 2005. Through 12 weeks, 16 up-and-coming mixed martial artists fight to stay in the house while given world-class coaching by the UFC’s elite fighters. Each competes to be declared the Ultimate Fighter and win a six-figure UFC contract.

After the first preliminary fight of the competition, Team Joanna gets back to work with some intense training. During a grappling session with Ashley Yoder, Helen Harper injures her elbow, the most recent in a string of issues for the British fighter. At the house, she begins to doubt her understanding of Joanna's coaching techniques. Khalil Rountree does his best to console his teammate, but Harper is very emotional, and begins to question her future in the grueling competition. At the house, Khalil and Cory Hendricks settle a bet by engaging in a donut-eating contest. Both teams wake up early in the morning to watch the competition. In the end, the winner earns a golden donut charm and necklace. The loser is forced to undergo a makeover by Amanda Cooper, and parade around the house dressed like a woman. Then in the second preliminary fight, two strawweights face off for the first time this season, with a spot in the semifinals on the line.

With the second preliminary fight in the books, the fighters return to practice. Unhappy with some of the things she's seen, Joanna tries to push her team to work harder. But, after a disappointing session, Joanna ends up losing her cool and lashing out at her team, accusing them of a lack of effort. The coach's harsh words take a toll on team morale but, as the fighters return home, the team's upcoming fighter calls them all into a huddle for a rallying battle cry. As luck would have it, the fighter's opponent witnesses the stunt along with a couple of his teammates. They all laugh it off as a desperate intimidation tactic. Claudia and Joanna turn their attention to the next preliminary. Both fighters seem very confident going into the bout, which promises to be a classic striker vs grappler matchup. Joanna's coaches hope that their fighter's kickboxing background proves to be the key to victory while Claudia's team banks on their fighter's agility and ground game to clinch the W. More drama unfolds at the gym as Joanna accuses Claudia of going over her allotted training time and leaving too much of a mess after her session. In the days leading up to the fight, a male and female fighter form a special bond with one another despite both being in committed relationships. At the weigh-in, one of the fighters pulls a comedic stunt, which his competitor dismisses as a lack of focus. On fight day, the third winner of the season claims a semifinal spot in a decisive victory. Finally, the fourth preliminary fight is announced.

Hoping to light a fire under her team, coach Joanna Jedrzejczyk brings in former UFC Strawweight Champion Carla Esparza to help out in training. The "Cookie Monster" runs the fighters through intense drills and techniques that helped her win season 20 of The Ultimate Fighter. At the house, a producer informs Abdel Medjedoub that his wife has called and she insists that she be allowed to speak with him. After talking to her, he reveals that she is upset with him and demands he leave the competition to come home. Distraught and unsure what to do, Abdel tries to put his personal issues behind him and continue to train with his team. Then in the fourth preliminary fight, two strawweights face off for the first time this season, with a spot in the semifinals on the line.

The winning fighters arrive at the TUF house and make a mad dash to claim their beds for the next 6 weeks. A married male fighter finds himself in the awkward position of having to room with girls. He finally convinces a teammate to switch beds with him. The next morning, one of the fighters picked for the first preliminary fight pays a visit to an orthopedic specialist. The doctor examines him and voices his concern for an injury that could have an impact on the fighter's ability to fight. Training officially begins as both teams have their first sessions with Joanna and Claudia. Right off the bat, the coaches show a stark difference in their approach to the game. Having to share the same gym proves to be challenging and sparks fly when Joanna runs into Claudia outside the locker rooms. The two teams waste no time in shifting focus to the first preliminary fight matchup. As it turns out, the fighters know one another and are actually quite familiar with each other's styles. One of them knows that his striking will be the key to victory while the injured fighter anticipates having to take the fight to the ground. Meanwhile, a female fighter comes down with an illness that prevents her from training effectively. The day of the weigh-in, the animosity between Joanna and Claudia takes center stage as Joanna decides to bring her championship belt to the gym. That night, the ailing female fighter suffers more complications and ends up collapsing at the house. Fight day arrives and the two competitors show tremendous respect for one another prior to their bout. A dynamic battle ensues and the first semi-finalist is revealed. Finally, the winning coach picks the second preliminary fight.