Cory Hendricks

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.

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.

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.

A bombshell announcement brings a twist to the competition. Joanna and Claudia compete in the biggest coaches challenge in Ultimate Fighter history. Then, in the first light heavyweight semifinal, two friends battle it out for a spot in the finale.

The last two semi-finals take place in this special two-fight episode. First, two dedicated strawweights face off in the octagon. Then, two friends go to war in an explosive light heavyweight matchup. Claudia and Joanna nearly come to blows after the fights.