Dana White has made it clear “The Ultimate Fighter” reality series is not going anywhere despite its current hiatus.
After 14 seasons on Spike, “TUF” landed on FX after a new broadcasting deal between the UFC and FOX Sports in 2012. The 15th season aired on FX, which was the only live season the show has ever done, featuring lightweights and coached by then bantamweight champ Dominick Cruz and UFC Hall of Famer Urijah Faber.
The following season debuted on FS1 and continued to air there until the most recent season, which aired in November of 2018.
With plans for a revival, White said he would like to see the show back on FX, which would work given the promotion’s new broadcast partnership with ESPN and Disney.
“I think we made some progress (on bringing ‘TUF’ back), but we’re still looking for where this thing is going to end up,” White told reporters, including MMA Junkie, during a media scrum on Tuesday. “In a perfect world, I want ‘The Ultimate Fighter’ back on FX. In a perfect world, that would be awesome because FX is incredible. ESPN owns FX for those who don’t know.”
‘The Ultimate Fighter’ has been a proven launching pad for top contenders and world champions since its inception in 2005. The show has produced fighters like Tony Ferguson, T.J. Dillashaw, Forrest Griffin, Michael Bisping, Rashad Evans and many others.
And while the UFC boss has shown high praise towards Dana White’s Contender Series, which is another vehicle for scouting rising talent, he insists that ‘TUF’ is necessary and brings something completely different to the table.
The first season’s finale fight between Griffin and Stephan Bonnar remains one of the most important fights in the company’s history, and White thinks the show can still be a key part of the UFC’s puzzle.
