Season 15 Plot
The Ultimate Fighter: Live was the fifteenth installment of the Ultimate Fighting Championship-produced reality television series The Ultimate Fighter. This season marked the show's debut on the FX network, the debut of Jon Anik as the show's host, and featured Lightweight fighters. As part of the deal with FX, the show was revamped. Prior seasons of the show were filmed in six weeks, edited and aired several months after filming was completed. This season the show was being filmed over thirteen weeks and was being edited "the week of" before being broadcast. In addition this season was the first to feature live fights. The UFC and FX held open tryouts on December 5, 2011, in Las Vegas, Nevada. The casting call went out for Lightweight and Welterweight fighters. Some of the fighters that showed up for the tryouts included UFC veteran Jamie Yager, WEC veteran Blas Avena, and Bellator veterans Rudy Bears, Zak Cummings, and Jacob McClintock, and K-1 kickboxer Kultar Gill. On December 6, 2011, it was announced that the coaches for the season would be Dominick Cruz and Urijah Faber. They were set to fight for the title, until Cruz's injury on May 7, 2012. The show debuted on March 9, 2012.
The Ultimate Fighter Season 15 aired on March 9th, 2012.
Season 15 Episodes
1. Episode 1 on FX
Two days prior to the live episode, the 32 fighters were introduced to Dana White and the two coaches. White explains that an elimination round will be held and only 16 of the fighters will move on to "The Ultimate Fighter House" to compete during the rest of the season. He further explains that the elimination fights will consist of a single five minute round.
2. Embrace the War
The fighters and coaches are at the UFC training center with Dana White. White announces that he will flip a coin to pick a coach. The coach who wins the coin flip will have the option of picking the first fighter or the first fight. Urijah Faber wins the coin flip and decides to pick the first fight. Dominick Cruz makes the first fighter pick and the coaches alternate picking fighters for their teams.
3. Old School vs. New School
Following the previous week's live episode there is discussion among both teams in regards to the hesitancy on the part of Team Faber to choose someone to face Justin Lawrence.
4. All the Pressure
Myles Jury looks to keep Team Cruz unbeaten in a bout against Al Iaquinta of Team Faber. Jury is a former TUF participant who was injured early in Season 12.
5. That Miserable Feeling
After Team Faber's first victory of the season, Faber chooses Michael Chiesa of Team Faber to square off against Jeremy Larsen of Team Cruz. Can Faber keep control of the fight picks or will Dominick Cruz regain the momentum, and the choice of match ups
6. Dog With No Bark
Friday: It was discussed that Chris Tickle was drunk during the previous week's fight. In the locker room, Tickle was laughing and making jokes about his just announced fight with Joe Proctor. Dominick Cruz gets upset with Tickle's attitude and tells Tickle to keep his mouth shut for the next week. Saturday 10:30am: Mike Rio complains of pains in one of his knees and having difficulties moving it. Rio and Jeremy Larsen have a discussion about the lifetime of a mixed martial arts figher.
7. Weather the Storm
Heading into tonight’s TUF Live fight, Team Faber was up 3-2 with three more opening round fights to go. After losing the first two bouts, Team Faber has won the last three and will look to retain control. Dominick Cruz and Team Cruz need a win bad as the losing is taking its toll on the bantamweight champion. “I’m here to win,” said Cruz as he goes a little bit hard on Tickle following his loss, even going as far as implying Tickle has no heart.
8. The Lion's Den
9. Become That Hero
Team Faber's Andy Ogle fights Mike Rio of Team Cruz to determine the last quarterfinalist.
10. So Real It's Unreal
James Vick vs Joe Proctor and Justin Lawrence vs Michael Chiesa in the first two quarterfinal fights.
11. Like a Spartan
The quarterfinals conclude with Vinc Pinchel vs Chris Saunders and Al Iaquinta vs Andy Ogle.
12. Reality Check
Semifinal bouts determine combatants for next week's finale. James Vick vs Michael Chiesa and Vinc Pichel vs Al Iaquinta.
13. The Ultimate Fighter Live Finale
The Season 15 champion is crowned as Michael Chiesa faces Al Iaquinta in an all Team Faber finale in Las Vegas. Also: Jake Ellenberger vs Martin Kampmann in a welterweight bout. Also: Max Holloway vs. Pat Schilling; Jonathan Brookins vs. Charles Oliveira; Justin Lawrence vs. John Cofer.
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