Ranking every season of The Ultimate Fighter from best to worst
By Chad Porto
16. Season 9 – Team US vs. Team UK
Another ho-hum cast of fighters but the teams were led by Dan Henderson (USA) and Michael Bisping (UK) respectively. The season saw some mildly amusing antics but the real selling point is watching Henderson and Bisping give each other grief ahead of their UFC 100 bout, which would end with the infamous H-Bomb strike on a downed Bisping. Their feud continues to this day.
15. Season 12 – Team Lesnar vs. Team dos Santos
Sure, Brock Lesnar is a huge draw, and the fight between Lesnar and Junior dos Santos would’ve been huge, the only problem is that this was the last significant appearance in the UFC just before his then-last fight with Alistair Overeem. The show produced Tony Ferguson, the only real star from the season, but his antics on the show soured his image to many. Even if they are extremely memorable.
14. Season 3 – Team Ortiz vs. Team Shamrock
This season deserves more respect. This was the set-up to the Tito Ortiz and Ken Shamrock rematch, the first bout was considered by many to be the first “super-fight” of the UFC’s existence. The season also saw future Hall of Famer Michael Bisping as a contestant, as well as the first deaf fighter in UFC history and the only man to beat Jon Jones, Matt Hamill. It was also the season that gave us Ed Herman, who as of May 10, 2021, is the longest-tenured member of the UFC roster.