‘They Call It The Ultimate Fighter,’ Dark Side of the Cage Ep. 4 Preview

First look at Episode 4 of VICE TV's Dark Side of the Cage, covering 'The Ultimate Fighter', the UFC's reality TV show.

VICE TV

Who would've thought a reality TV show would be one of the saving graces of the UFC?

UFC Meets Reality TV

In the early 2000's, the world's unrivaled MMA promotion was once $40-50M in the hole, losing money with each card they put on, Dana White and the Fertitta brothers struggling to stay afloat. One idea changed everything for the UFC, and that was the airing of The Ultimate Fighter reality TV series and its historic live finale in 2005.

The Ultimate Fighter pitted 16 men against each other, all living inside the same house; fighters from two weight divisions with two winners walking away with a UFC contract (but not without drama).

On the verge of financial ruin, the UFC bets everything on an MMA reality television show. The response is huge, becoming a hit series after the premiere episode in 2005. 

Tune in to Dark Side of the Cage this Wednesday, January 29 at 10P ET, only on VICE TV. pic.twitter.com/chmZMQJXmd

— VICE TV (@VICETV) January 27, 2025

VICE TV Docuseries ‘Dark Side of the Cage’ Explores the Most Infamous Stories in MMA

Season 1 of the show ended up turning things around for the UFC, thanks to the wild scenes from inside the house featuring the likes of Chris Leben and Diego Sanchez to the Hall of Fame fight between Forrest Griffin and the late Stephan Bonnar, which saw both men sign to the UFC for their insane display of heart, leaving everything in the Octagon.

Griffin and Bonnar put on one of the greatest fights in UFC history during the TUF 1 Finale. / (Zuffa LLC)

From the network that brought you Dark Side of the Ring, Dark Side of the Cage covers what went on from The Ultimate Fighter house and all that surrounded the unprecedented reality TV show.

Clip: Contestant Bobby Southworth Cuts 22lbs On Show

Of course, there's much more to TUF than fighting - there's weight cutting as well. Bobby Southworth, a light heavyweight contestant on Season 1, recalls cutting over 20lbs to make a weight limit the following day for his fight.

It's safe to say the weight didn't come off easy, Southworth dehydrating himself in the sauna to make it happen.

"I was at 227 and I had 22lbs to make 205lbs," Southworth said in an exclusive preview. "I think it was 3 or 4 in the afernoon and I had to make the weight by two o'clock the next day."

"It was gnarly. I was fainting and passing out from trying to make the weight."

"I was at the gym the night Bobby had to cut 20 pounds before his fight," Scott Cooper, field director and producer of 'The Ultimate Fighter' said. "Now, to me, this seemed like heroic. This did not seem like something that's possible to an ordinary person..."

Episode 4 of Dark Side of The Cage takes a deep dive into the world of The Ultimate Fighter, interviewing legendary coaches Randy Couture and Chuck Liddell to Southworth's fellow contestants and those behind the scenes of the UFC's ultimate gamble - one that eventually paid off.

Tatiana Suarez will try to become the latest TUF-winner to claim UFC gold when she fights at UFC 312. / Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn Images

The Ultimate Fighter has continued its run for 32 seasons with Season 33 soon on the way. Winners and also losers of the show have been crowned champion, others never going on to reach their potential.

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Watch Dark Side of the Cage Ep. 4 on Wednesday at 10pm ET on VICE TV.

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