16 up-and-coming middleweights and 16 promising light heavyweights face off in a day of elimination fights, hoping to secure a spot in the competition. UFC President Dana White, along with coaches BJ Penn and Frankie Edgar, watch ringside as the fighters go to battle. Coaches pick their squads and the first fight matchup is announced.
8 middleweights and 8 light heavyweights move into the fighter house and the tournament kicks off with a matchup between Irishman Cathal Pendred and the Mexican-born Hector Urbina. At weigh-ins, Coaches BJ Penn and Frankie Edgar must pull their heated fighters apart.
Tensions boil over at the house in the wake of Roger Zapata's controversial win over Ian Stephens, causing a rift between the teams. And in the sixth preliminary fight, wrestler Patrick Walsh of Team Edgar takes on Team Penn’s #1 pick Anton Berzin.
After losing the first fight, Frankie Edgar brings in famed BJJ black belt Renzo Gracie to work with his team. While Team Penn's Daniel Spohn uses free time at the house to work on training techniques, Team Edgar preacher Todd Monaghan holds a sermon.
Getting out to a 2-0 start, Team Penn looks to continue the streak. Meanwhile, at the house, a rivalry develops between two light heavyweights. In the Octagon, it’s a middleweight battle as Tim Williams of Team Penn takes on Team Edgar’s Dhiego Lima.
