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.
After a last-minute medical issue forces the next fight to be postponed, the teams have to regroup and prepare two new fighters for action. With tensions rising between the teams, Conor makes a surprise visit to the house. Then, bantamweights take center stage in the second quarterfinal fight. With the next fight on hold, bantamweights Mando Gutierrez and Cody Gibson are
next in line, so they begin their preparations.
A young superfan visits Conor at the Apex to show off his custom-made action figures. Then, Aaron McKenzie tries to snap Team McGregor's losing streak when he faces Austin Hubbard of Team Chandler in the third quarterfinal fight.
Conor visits the TUF house to put his fighters through one of his famous workouts. Chandler struggles to coach his next fighter, TUF 27 winner Brad Katona, whose allegiance may lie with the other team. Then, Brad faces off against prospect Carlos Vera to determine who will be the next bantamweight semifinalist.
Kurt Holobaugh, the only fighter to have been signed and cut twice from the UFC, hopes that the third time is the charm as he prepares for his quarterfinal fight. McGregor has high hopes for his next athlete, fellow Irishman and protégé, Lee Hammond. After a hard-fought battle, mayhem ensues at the Apex between the coaches.
The fallout from Team McGregor's most recent loss, and Conor's outburst at the Apex, is felt throughout the house. With tension mounting, Jason Knight tries to continue Chandler's win streak in his fight against Landon Quiñones but has to overcome a training injury to do so.
Only one fight remains as Team McGregor tries to avoid the first-ever quarterfinals sweep in TUF history. Then, after the showdown in the Octagon, Dana meets with the coaches and fighters to set the semifinal matchups.
After the fighters learn the semifinal matchups, which are posted at the TUF House, Conor pays both teams a visit and makes a feast of Irish stew. Then, friends and Chandler teammates' Roosevelt Roberts and Austin Hubbard face off in the first semifinal fight.
TUF 27 winner Brad Katona officially switches teams to prepare for his semifinal fight. Timur Valiev receives inspiration from a visit by UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev. Then, Katona and Valiev face off with a spot in the bantamweight final on the line.
Conor and Michael square off in the coldest Coaches Challenge in TUF history. Then, teammates and bayou buddies Kurt Holobaugh and Jason Knight battle it out in a lightweight semifinal matchup, with a spot in the final on the line.
As the competition nears its end, both Conor and Michael host special dinners for the fighters. Then in the last semifinal fight, Team McGregor's only remaining fighter, Rico DiSciullo, faces UFC veteran Cody Gibson of Team Chandler.