The Ultimate Fighter was an instrumental force during the UFC’s explosion of popularity in the early 2000s, shining a spotlight on fighters such as Randy Couture, Chuck Liddell, Tito Ortiz and Ken Shamrock, who coached MMA hopefuls in a season-long competition in which the participants shared a house for several weeks.
Over the course of 29 seasons — all of which can be seen on ESPN+ — the show has produced fighters such as Forrest Griffin, Nate Diaz, Tony Ferguson and Kelvin Gastelum, among many others. Each season there also is tension between coaches building up to a big fight of their own. Fans get to see it all play out behind the scenes.
The Ultimate Fighter’s 30th season, which begins Tuesday on ESPN+, features a coaching matchup of UFC women’s bantamweight champion Julianna Peña and the woman she beat for the title, longtime two-division champ Amanda Nunes. After the season, they will meet in a rematch of the stunning upset Peña pulled off in December to secure the belt.
This season’s TUF competition is at heavyweight and women’s flyweight.
How to watch The Ultimate Fighter
Stream on ESPN+: Download the ESPN App
Don’t have ESPN+? Get it here.
The coaches
Julianna Peña
Record: 11-4
Age: 32
From: Spokane, Washington
Notable: ESPN’s 2021 fighter of the year among women for her upset victory over Amanda Nunes, making Peña the UFC women’s bantamweight champion. … Also owns UFC wins over Sara McMann, Cat Zingano and Jessica Eye. … Won Season 18 of The Ultimate Fighter, on which she was coached by her friend and training partner Miesha Tate.
Amanda Nunes
Record: 21-5
Age: 33
From: Coral Springs, Florida
Notable: Had won 12 in a row and made five defenses of the bantamweight belt before the loss to Julianna Peña. Still owns the UFC women’s featherweight title. … Has beaten a who’s who of women’s MMA, including Cris Cyborg, Holly Holm, Ronda Rousey, Miesha Tate, Julia Budd, Germaine de Randamie (twice) and Valentina Shevchenko (twice).
The fighters
Heavyweights
Nyle Bartling
Record: 6-0
Age: 29
From: Unadilla, Nebraska
Notable: In six pro bouts and five as an amateur, has a 100% finish rate.
Chandler Cole
Record: 8-3
Age: 27
From: Coeburn, Virginia
Notable: Competed in the 2021 PFL season, losing to eventual finalist Ante Delija.
Jordan Heiderman
Record: 5-0
Age: 30
From: Norfolk, Nebraska
Notable: Won his 2018 pro debut via TKO in 11 seconds.
Bobby Maximus
Record: 5-4
Age: 43
From: Salt Lake City, Utah
Notable: Returning to The Ultimate Fighter after competing on Season 2 — in 2005 — under his given name, Rob MacDonald. He lost to Brad Imes, who went on to face Rashad Evans in the finale. Maximus went on to fight three times in the UFC, going 1-2. … Has not had a pro fight since 2009.
Zac Pauga
Record: 5-0
Age: 33
From: Denver
Notable: Trains with Curtis Blaydes and Alistair Overeem at Team Elevation. … After playing running back at Colorado State, spent 2011 on the practice squad of the Houston Texans.
Eduardo Perez
Record: 4-1
Age: 27
From: Berkeley, California
Notable: Trains at American Kickboxing Academy with Daniel Cormier and Cain Velasquez.
Mitchell Sipe
Record: 5-2
Age: 25
From: Bakersfield, California
Notable: Won his pro boxing debut in 30 seconds.
Mohammed Usman
Record: 7-2
Age: 32
From: Denver
Notable: Younger brother of UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman. … Played defensive end at the University of Arizona.
Women’s flyweights
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Julianna Pena says she’s excited to be able to give back to the next generation of MMA fighters on the upcoming season of The Ultimate Fighter.
Chantel Coates
Record: 2-1
Age: 34
From: Leavenworth, Kansas
Notable: Has the fastest knockout in Invicta FC history (28 seconds, over Ashlynn Kleinbeck in December 2018).
Claire Guthrie
Record: 3-1
Age: 26
From: Denver
Notable: Juggles MMA training with work as an accountant.
Juliana Miller
Record: 2-1
Age: 25
From: San Diego
Notable: Trains with UFC strawweight — and TUF alum — Angela Hill.
Kaytlin Neil
Record: 5-4
Age: 30
From: Lindon, Utah
Notable: Was cheerleading captain in high school, and took up MMA after she didn’t make the team in college.
Kathryn Paprocki
Record: 3-2
Age: 28
From: Denver
Notable: Lost via decision to undefeated Maria Silva on Dana White’s Contender Series in October.
Melissa Parker
Record: 3-1
Age: 35
From: Houston
Notable: 5-0 in pro boxing, where she is IBO women’s bantamweight world champion; also a world champion in International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) no-gi competition.
Helen Peralta
Record: 5-2
Age: 33
From: Fairfield, Iowa
Notable: Gave up a career as a professional chef to pursue MMA; 2-0 in bare knuckle boxing.
Brogan Walker
Record: 7-2
Age: 32
From: Upland, California
Notable: Handed UFC flyweight Miranda Maverick her first career loss when they were fighting in Invicta in 2018.