Before the glitz, the glamour, and the Conor McGregor-sized paydays, the UFC was a struggling enterprise teetering on the brink of collapse. This week’s Dark Side of the Cage revisits a crucial turning point in the organization’s history: the creation of The Ultimate Fighter.
The episode examines the risky decision to invest in a reality show centered around a then-niche sport. It was a gamble that could have easily backfired, but instead, The Ultimate Fighter catapulted the UFC into the mainstream.
The show not only introduced mixed martial arts to a wider audience but also played a significant role in shaping the public image of Dana White, who has become synonymous with the sport. Dark Side of the Cage will explore how White’s personality, amplified by the reality show format, contributed to the UFC’s meteoric rise.
For fans of MMA, this episode offers valuable context for the sport’s current dominance. It’s a reminder that even the most successful empires are built on a foundation of calculated risks and occasionally desperate measures.
Tune in to Vice TV on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, for a look at how one reality show changed the face of combat sports.