The Ultimate Fighter has been experimenting quite a bit recently with unique formats in order to both keep the show relevant and to appeal to people that the show may not normally draw to the UFC. Season 25 certainly added to that pattern and reviewing it will a unique experience.
Format
The format of this season was unique in several ways.
First, it was the first time that the winner was guaranteed at least $250,000 up front, in addition to the normal contract that came along with winning the show.
Second, it was the first show to feature solely fighters from previous seasons of the show. Previous seasons had featured former UFC fighters and TUF competitors but it was only one or two fighters and not the whole cast of the show.
What all of the fighters had in common was the season theme and namesake, redemption. All of the fighters were searching for some form of redemption, whether it was simply making it back into the UFC, getting into the UFC, grabbing that elusive season win, or facing personal demons that had been exposed in previous seasons.
In addition to the format, an additional chance at redemption was given in the form of the wild card format which brings back two fighters eliminated in the first round who are given another chance to make it into the quarterfinals.
The range of fighters was also unique as although they were all welterweights, they came from as far back as season two to as recently as season 21. The accomplishments ranged from season winners to fighters who lost in elimination fights.
The eventual winner Jesse Taylor was the physical embodiment of the season theme as he’d fought on season seven and was in the finale but got removed after a drunken tirade. This was his true redemption as he finally won the title that he should’ve nine years ago.
Relationship between the coaches
In addition to the redemption theme there was also a story line between head coaches Cody Garbrandt and TJ Dillashaw.
Dillashaw and Garbrandt were teammates at Team Alpha Male before striking coach Duane Ludwig left for Elevation Fight Team in Colorado and Dillashaw left Team Alpha Male to stay with Ludwig. Because of the tension there were several pranks and brawls between the two coaching staffs as a result of the tension and bad blood between the two.
Unfortunately due to a back injury, Garbrandt wasn’t able to defend his title at UFC 213 and will have to defend it against Dillashaw later this year.
Conclusion
Overall it was a good season and the next season is certainly going to be another unique show that will feature the women’s flyweights. Stay tuned for that preview when more details are revealed.