MMA on the Tube Today – SPIKE TV’s Ultimate Fighter Marathon
September 13, 2008 at 6:54 am by Jason Hatcher in News 
Beginning this morning at 9:00 a.m. eastern time, SPIKE TV will dedicate a full day of broadcasting to the first season of “The Ulitmate Fighter” reality show leading up the the famous finale that not only launched current light heavyweight champion Forrest Griffin into the spotlight but propelled the UFC into the successful empire it is today. Most insiders cite “The Ulitmate Fighter” as the core reason the UFC blasted into forefront of mixed-martial-arts. Not to mention putting SPIKE TV on the map as well.
The finale fight between Forrest Griffin and Stephan Bonnar is noted as one of the best televised fights in history. SPIKE TV revealed a few years ago that by the end of the first round of the fight, its television audience numbers jumped into uncharted regions scoring a 1.9 rating. According to UFC president Dana White, viewers began calling friends around the country and urging them to tune in to the show. And the statistics seem to back up this claim. The Ultimate Fighter Season One Finale still ranks as the most watched show in the history of the SPIKE TV network.
The Ultimate Fighter One was the first time in television history that a UFC event was available to a national television audience free of its near $50 pay-per-view pricetag. And the pioneering television series opened the door for now seven seasons to follow from the debut in 2005 to the present day. Not to mention building the foundation for occasional free UFC events known as “Ulitmate Fight Nights” which now number to 15 total with the latest installment airing Wednesday, September 17 along with the premiere episode of the eight season of T.U.F.
UFC legends Chuck Liddell and Randy Couture serve as the first team coaches on the debut season and clearly reaped the benefits of such massive television exposure themselves transforming from underground martial arts champions to celebrities within the extreme sports world. Since 2005 when Liddell and Couture participated in the T.U.F. series, both have transitioned into film and television acting roles and launched successful careers becoming much more than just MMA fighters.
The Ulitmate Fighter Season One Marathon starts at 9:00 a.m. EST, September 13 on SPIKE TV.
A complete episode guide of the show can be found here at TV.com
September 14th, 2008 at 8:19 am
YES!!! This was on all day at my house, a long but very entertaining day of Ultimate Fighter and laundry. It was awesome to see the Griffin/Bonnar fight again! Two warriors just banging it out.
Watching Dana hand out a second contract to a well-deserved Bonnar after Griffin’s win had everyone in my house on their feet on fight night. Exciting stuff and fun to watch again.
September 15th, 2008 at 3:00 pm
Didn’t get to watch from Episode 1 but truly enjoyed watching that Griffin/Bonnar fight again.
September 15th, 2008 at 3:01 pm
Ya know, I wasn’t into the UFC back then and didn’t get to watch the replay. I wish they’d show it again…love Forrest now.