Billy Quarantillo

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.

Shortly after a coin toss decided which team would get to pick the first preliminary fight, coach Conor McGregor gathers the European fighters and delivers a prepared speech outlining what his team can expect this season. That night, the winning European and American fighters move into the TUF house. After scoping out their new digs and picking their rooms, a celebratory barbecue ensues. Eager to turn their focus to the competition, the fighters waste no time in starting to size up the competition and new friendships are forged.

Conor McGregor shows up for the evening practice and is very hands on with technique with his team, then focuses on getting his fighter ready for the second preliminary fight. Conor emphasizes that patience is most important and has his fighter go through sequences that will help him come out victorious. On the other side, Urijah Faber trains his American fighter, who gave his opponent a beating during his elimination fight and is confident he will win. One of the European fighter's shares the story of how he overcame a health condition at an early age that crippled him, and had to learn to walk again leading to his decision to pursue MMA. Later, Urijah Faber and his assistant coaches stop by the house to watch the fights on TV as his friend TJ Dillashaw's defends the belt against Renan Barao. The tension rises between the coaches during the weigh in, as Conor tries to get under Faber's skin and tells him he should fight TJ Dillashaw. The second preliminary fight takes place and one of the coaches completely loses it when his fighter refuses to listen to his commands and does exactly the opposite. At the end of the fight, one coach confronts the other for his behavior and gives him a piece of advice. One team remains in control of the fight pick and the third preliminary fight is announced. Two eager fighters step forward and face off.

In an action-packed two fight episode, the seventh preliminary fight pits a hard-hitting striker from Team McGregor against an American brawler. Then, two more warriors step into the octagon for the eighth preliminary fight.

Two members of Team Faber come face to face in a drunken confrontation at the house. An explosive and highly anticipated American fighter steps into the octagon to face off against a very tough European opponent in the sixth preliminary fight.