Jay Cucciniello

For the first time ever sixteen undefeated fighters from around the world, eight lightweights and eight featherweights, come to Las Vegas to compete on The Ultimate Fighter. The competition begins with coaches Daniel Cormier, the current UFC light heavyweight champion, and Stipe Miocic, the current UFC heavyweight champion, putting the fighters through drills to evaluate their skills. Then after UFC President Dana White arrives and greets the fighters, the coaches pick their teams and choose the first preliminary matchup. After the fighters move into The Ultimate Fighter house, training begins with both teams holding their first practices. The tension continues to build as the teams prep their fighters for the first preliminary matchup of the season.

During a visit to the hospital, a banged-up fighter receives good news about his injuries. But as the days go on his physical problems get worse, forcing him to return to the doctor for another examination. During this visit, he gets the news he's been dreading. Two lightweights increase their training regimen in preparation for their upcoming preliminary fight. On fight day, as their showdown inches closer, one of the fighters suffers from excruciating muscle cramps, putting his future in the competition in jeopardy.

With the tournament now officially underway, Stipe Miocic and his coaching staff decide it's time to get the pranks started. Before practice, they redecorate Team Cormier's locker room by adding some questionable pictures to the walls. Stipe then turns his attention to his first featherweight fighter, who is extremely confident that his well-rounded game will be too much for his opponent to handle. As the blue team arrives for their practice session, they are surprised to find their defaced locker room. Cormier is amused and immediately retaliates in shocking fashion. During practice, a fighter loses his calm and proceeds to question Cormier's instructions. The two hash things out in front of their team. Back at the house, the fighters get to know each other and one of the featherweights opens up about his life. Through his home video footage, we find out about his recent move to a big gym and his life with his girlfriend. Nearby, his opponent shares his passion for fighting with one of his teammates. In his home video, we learn more about his day to day at the gym and get to meet his significant other. Back at practice, Team Cormier's upcoming featherweight reveals his analytical approach to the sport as he prepares for the bout. On fight day, the two fighters give it their all and the winner becomes the first featherweight semifinalist in the competition.

During a tense van ride back to the house after practice, two teammates get into a heated exchange. After the words get personal, a teammate steps in and attempts to resolve the conflict. As two lightweights prep for their upcoming fight, one of them gets into an argument at the house during his weight cut, calling out a fellow fighter. Then, in the third preliminary fight, two lightweights face off with a spot in the semifinals on the line.

After finally finding out who he will be facing in the preliminaries, a fighter starts talking smack at the house in the hopes of getting into his opponent's head. Coming to their teammate's defense, his training partners step in and tensions escalate. The fighters threaten to come to blows before being separated. The next day, one of the losing fighters decides to be proactive and hatch out a plan to talk to Dana about letting him back into the competition. He tells one of his coaches, who agrees to help him. At the Team Miocic practice, their upcoming fighter is hard at work despite a nagging injury. Despite being a submission specialist, he looks forward to standing toe to toe with his opponent. Back at the house, the fighter talks to his teammates about how he got into MMA and we get a glimpse of his life through his home video footage. Meanwhile, Team Cormier's next featherweight works on his game at the UFC's Performance Institute. He prides himself on his striking background, which he believes will be the key to victory. Through his home video footage, he introduces us to his daughter, family and gym. At the beginning of fight day, Dana agrees to see the losing fighter who wants back in. After a brief but passionate pitch, Dana promises to take the matter under consideration. The two featherweights finally go to battle and the next semifinalist is revealed.