The BEST episodes of The Ultimate Fighter

#1 - The Ultimate Fighter Finale Early Prelims: Johnson vs Gaethje

Season 25 - Episode 13 - Aired 7/7/2017

#2 - I Against I

Season 14 - Episode 2 - Aired 9/28/2011

Coaches Michael Bisping and Jason Miller select their teams from the crop of victorious Featherweights and Bantamweights. The first matchup is chosen, and one fighter is forced to deal with his severe anxiety issues.

#3 - Bag of Tools

Season 17 - Episode 8 - Aired 3/12/2013

Jon Jones and Chael Sonnen face off in the most unique, and difficult, Coaches Challenge ever. After Dylan Andrews takes on Zak Cummings in the last preliminary fight, Dana forces the coaches to decide on the Wildcard matchup.

#4 - Shocked and Awed

Season 11 - Episode 10 - Aired 6/2/2010

It's Jamie Yager versus Josh Bryant in the last quarterfinal fight, with an ending that leaves both teams in shock. Dana makes an unprecedented decision that turns the competition upside-down. After the smoke clears, the semifinal matchups are announced.

#5 - Scrappers

Season 14 - Episode 1 - Aired 9/21/2011

After Dana White greets the fighters and outlines a few exciting new twists for Season 14, 16 bantamweight and 16 featherweight hopefuls face off in a day of elimination fights at the Mandalay Bay Events Center. Coaches Michael Bisping and Jason "Mayhem" Miller take in the action from the sidelines.

#6 - Diego Brandao vs Dennis Bermudez TUF 14 Finale

Season 14 - Episode 12 - Aired 12/3/2011

Agile, mobile, & hostile! The featherweight final was non-stop exciting from beginning to end as Team Miller’s Dennis “The Menace” Bermudez was shot out of a cannon at Team Bisping’s Diego Brandao who was launched from a catapult at the same time.

#7 - A Will To Win/ Dogfight

Season 11 - Episode 11 - Aired 6/9/2010

In a special 2-hour episode Rich Franklin takes over as the new coach of the red team, and several of the fighters have finally had it with Jamie Yager. All this plus two semifinal fights.

#8 - The Quest Begins

Season 1 - Episode 1 - Aired 1/17/2005

Sixteen Mixed Martial Artist fighters arrive in Las Vegas to begin their journey towards fame and fortune. Coached by Ultimate Fighting Championship legends, Randy Couture and Chuck Liddell, they will fight each other for two six-figure contracts in the UFC.

#9 - It Was A Brawl

Season 5 - Episode 9 - Aired 5/31/2007

Guest Coach Randy “The Natural” Couture pays a visit to Team Penn to offer his expertise and to support one of his protégés’ Gray Maynard as he prepares to enter the quarterfinals against Brandon Melendez.

#10 - Win or Die

Season 12 - Episode 6 - Aired 10/20/2010

Following the team's first win Koscheck talks smack to Michael Johnson, but then gets a dose of the same medicine from Cody McKenzie. And the fates of four fighters are determined in two lightweight matchups.

#11 - Spinning Tornado

Season 12 - Episode 10 - Aired 11/17/2010

In the last two Quarterfinal fights, Wild Card winner Aaron Wilkinson faces Team GSP elder statesman Kyle Watson. Then antagonistic teammates let their fists do the talking when Michael Johnson finally takes on Alex Caceres. And the Semifinal fights are announced.

#12 - Bring It!

Season 16 - Episode 1 - Aired 9/14/2012

UFC President Dana White greets 32 eager welterweights at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Opposing coaches Roy 'Big Country' Nelson and Shane Carwin watch with Dana as 16 fighters prevail in a full day of Elimination fights, then team picks.

#13 - Betrayal

Season 16 - Episode 9 - Aired 11/9/2012

James Chaney owns up to his unsportsmanlike conduct. One fighter turns against his friend. Team Carwin’s Mike Ricci takes on Nelson number one pick Dom Waters in the final preliminary fight. Dana White announces the Quarterfinal match-ups.

#14 - Embrace the War

Season 15 - Episode 2 - Aired 3/16/2012

Sixteen victorious lightweights move into the house & begin their quest for a 6-figure UFC contract. After coaches Urijah Faber & Dominick Cruz select their teams, training begins. Then, 2 warriors face off in the first two-round preliminary fight!

#15 - Don't Do This at Home

Season 14 - Episode 8 - Aired 11/9/2011

Team pranks reach a new high as Bisping and Tiki execute their master plan against Team Miller. Akira’s antics earn him a handful of new enemies. A spot in the Featherweight finale is at stake when Akira faces Dennis in the first Semifinal.

#16 - Disrespectful

Season 12 - Episode 5 - Aired 10/13/2010

An ill-advised prank makes Alex Caceres an outcast on his own team. Former UFC champion Chuck Liddell pays a visit to Team Koscheck. And two more lightweights face off in the Octagon.

#17 - John Dodson vs. TJ Dillashaw TUF 14 Finale

Season 14 - Episode 11 - Aired 12/3/2011

The bantamweight final saw the two odds on tournament favorites collide as Team Miller’s John “The Magician” Dodson, with his incredible knockout power, took on Team Bisping’s TJ Dillashaw, who possessed dynamic striking & submission skills.

#18 - All the Pressure

Season 15 - Episode 4 - Aired 3/30/2012

An injury in practice puts one fighter's future in doubt. Faber brings in a life coach to help the fighters be more positive. Then, Faber #1 pick Al Iaquinta takes on Myles "Fury" Jury of Team Cruz in the third preliminary fight.

#19 - What We Do

Season 16 - Episode 2 - Aired 9/21/2012

Just a day after moving into the TUF House, vicious smack talk begins between the fighters. Roy Nelson and Shane Carwin pick their squads and begin training. Then the first two welterweights face off in the first preliminary fight.

#20 - Unleash the Beast

Season 16 - Episode 5 - Aired 10/12/2012

Julian Lane lashes out after being disrespected by another fighter. Team Nelson wants more coaching from Roy. Mike Ricci once again finds himself at odds with Nic Herron-Webb. Coach Carwin chooses two Welterweights to collide in the 4th Preliminary fight.

#21 - Enter the Octagon

Season 17 - Episode 1 - Aired 1/22/2013

28 middleweights arrive in Las Vegas for a shot at a UFC contract. Coaches Chael Sonnen and UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones evaluate the winners of 14 Elimination Fights. Teams are chosen, and the first Preliminary Fight is announced.

#22 - Sign of Disrespect

Season 17 - Episode 4 - Aired 2/12/2013

Both teams face off in a spontaneous rap battle at the house. A prank ignites smack talk that carries over to the weigh-in. Then Collin Hart and Kevin Casey face off in the third preliminary fight.

#23 - The Reflection of Perfection

Season 17 - Episode 5 - Aired 2/19/2013

Actor Mickey Rourke visits Team Sonnen to share insights from his boxer days. Coach Jones wonders if Samman is ready to fight. Then the competition's youngest fighter, Gastelum of Team Sonnen, takes on Jones' highly experienced training partner, McDaniel.

#24 - Path to Greatness

Season 17 - Episode 6 - Aired 2/26/2013

Uriah's attitude ignites a blowup, causing a major rift in Team Sonnen. While the fighters battle it out in a night of bowling, Jon and Chael raise the stakes in a game of their own. Then Josh Samman takes on Tor Troeng in the fifth preliminary fight.

#25 - His Fist on My Face

Season 17 - Episode 7 - Aired 3/5/2013

One fighter cuts loose and another alienates himself while the others hit Hooters. Josh Samman's recurring leg pain lands him in the hospital. Cop-turned-fighter Jimmy Quinlan faces Team Jones first pick Clint Hester in the sixth Preliminary Fight.