The Ultimate Fighter

The Ultimate Fighter: Live was the fifteenth installment of the Ultimate Fighting Championship-produced reality television series The Ultimate Fighter. This season marked the show's debut on the FX network, the debut of Jon Anik as the show's host, and featured Lightweight fighters. As part of the deal with FX, the show was revamped. Prior seasons of the show were filmed in six weeks, edited and aired several months after filming was completed. This season the show was being filmed over thirteen weeks and was being edited "the week of" before being broadcast. In addition this season was the first to feature live fights. The UFC and FX held open tryouts on December 5, 2011, in Las Vegas, Nevada. The casting call went out for Lightweight and Welterweight fighters. Some of the fighters that showed up for the tryouts included UFC veteran Jamie Yager, WEC veteran Blas Avena, and Bellator veterans Rudy Bears, Zak Cummings, and Jacob McClintock, and K-1 kickboxer Kultar Gill. On December 6, 2011, it was announced that the coaches for the season would be Dominick Cruz and Urijah Faber. They were set to fight for the title, until Cruz's injury on May 7, 2012. The show debuted on March 9, 2012.

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Episodes (13)

1Fri, Mar 09, 2012

Episode 1 on FX

Two days prior to the live episode, the 32 fighters were introduced to Dana White and the two coaches. White explains that an elimination round will be held and only 16 of the fighters will move on to "The Ultimate Fighter House" to compete during the rest of the season. He further explains that the elimination fights will consist of a single five minute round.

2Fri, Mar 16, 2012

Embrace the War

The fighters and coaches are at the UFC training center with Dana White. White announces that he will flip a coin to pick a coach. The coach who wins the coin flip will have the option of picking the first fighter or the first fight. Urijah Faber wins the coin flip and decides to pick the first fight. Dominick Cruz makes the first fighter pick and the coaches alternate picking fighters for their teams.

3Fri, Mar 23, 2012

Old School vs. New School

Following the previous week's live episode there is discussion among both teams in regards to the hesitancy on the part of Team Faber to choose someone to face Justin Lawrence.

4Fri, Mar 30, 2012

All the Pressure

Myles Jury looks to keep Team Cruz unbeaten in a bout against Al Iaquinta of Team Faber. Jury is a former TUF participant who was injured early in Season 12.

5Fri, Apr 06, 2012

That Miserable Feeling

After Team Faber's first victory of the season, Faber chooses Michael Chiesa of Team Faber to square off against Jeremy Larsen of Team Cruz. Can Faber keep control of the fight picks or will Dominick Cruz regain the momentum, and the choice of match ups

6Fri, Apr 13, 2012

Dog With No Bark

Friday: It was discussed that Chris Tickle was drunk during the previous week's fight. In the locker room, Tickle was laughing and making jokes about his just announced fight with Joe Proctor. Dominick Cruz gets upset with Tickle's attitude and tells Tickle to keep his mouth shut for the next week. Saturday 10:30am: Mike Rio complains of pains in one of his knees and having difficulties moving it. Rio and Jeremy Larsen have a discussion about the lifetime of a mixed martial arts figher.

7Fri, Apr 20, 2012

Weather the Storm

Heading into tonight’s TUF Live fight, Team Faber was up 3-2 with three more opening round fights to go. After losing the first two bouts, Team Faber has won the last three and will look to retain control. Dominick Cruz and Team Cruz need a win bad as the losing is taking its toll on the bantamweight champion. “I’m here to win,” said Cruz as he goes a little bit hard on Tickle following his loss, even going as far as implying Tickle has no heart.

8Fri, Apr 27, 2012

The Lion's Den

9Fri, May 04, 2012

Become That Hero

Team Faber's Andy Ogle fights Mike Rio of Team Cruz to determine the last quarterfinalist.

10Fri, May 11, 2012

So Real It's Unreal

James Vick vs Joe Proctor and Justin Lawrence vs Michael Chiesa in the first two quarterfinal fights.

11Fri, May 18, 2012

Like a Spartan

The quarterfinals conclude with Vinc Pinchel vs Chris Saunders and Al Iaquinta vs Andy Ogle.

12Fri, May 25, 2012

Reality Check

Semifinal bouts determine combatants for next week's finale. James Vick vs Michael Chiesa and Vinc Pichel vs Al Iaquinta.

13Fri, Jun 01, 2012