July 12th, 2010 
Description
The Ultimate Fighter – Season 1 is a reality TV show where 16 contestants are trained by two legendary UFC competitors, Randy Couture and Chuck Liddell, and must live together while battling for a pair of Ultimate Fighting Championship contracts.Amazon.com
Huge muscular men bashing each other senseless with their feet, fists, knees, and elbows–if this is your catnip, The Ultimate Fighter -Season 1 is for you! This reality show, presented by the Ultimate Fighting Championship, puts 16 slabs of beef (all of them versed in boxing, wrestling, and every martial art imaginable) into a house as they undergo even more rigorous training and periodic elimination bouts in the Octogon. The show swiftly makes it clear that physical skill is only part of the picture; drive and sheer will to dominate matter just as much as muscle power (if not more). Under the guiding hand of UFC stars Randy Couture and Chuck Liddell, the aspiring champions train and compete in group challenges, all the while partying and bickering back at the house. The camera gets a good look at the fighters’ emotional lives. Though generally stone-faced, over thirteen episodes (including the final bouts, which were originally broadcast live) the competitors prove to be an interesting mix of loudmouths, good guys, and underdogs, some of whom are unexpectedly vulnerable. But the soap opera is just a bonus. This show is about men facing each other in the ring, and it delivers. Almost every episode culminates in an unabridged fights between middleweight or light heavyweight contenders, and some of it is brutal. The extras include undercard bouts featuring many of the show’s contestants, as well as a variety of training demonstrations (all presented with coy “don’t try this at home” disclaimers). The Ultimate Fighter won’t appeal to everyone, but some reluctant or prejudiced viewers may find it surprisingly mesmerizing. –Bret Fetzer
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NOTE – This is reviewing the show only, as I have yet to see the Extra Features.
REVIEW
Now this is what reality television was meant to be. First off, the focus on what the show is about is dead-on. Sixteen men, who actually qualify to be here, are brought to train with and against each other in hopes of becoming a UFC fighter. The challenges, in which the winners gain the strategic advantage, are fun to watch and result in some good fights. The fights themselves would be worth the DVD alone, especially if they include the legendary Light-Heavyweight bout that finished the show (best of UFC ever!).
But with the fights come good drama, and none of it feels forced. You see, you will learn to love the competitors. You will appreciate the religion of Diego Sanchez, the cool style of Forrest Griffin, and the intelligence of Nathan Quarry. You will also meet some unpleasant fighters like the cocky Josh Koshcheck, the bitter Bobby Southworth, and the troubled Chris Leben. The important thing to note, though, is that even the semi-annoying fighters in the big house aren’t unreasonably annoying. With their attitudes comes real emotions and skills that few of us possess. These men are not caricatures, but a magnificent study of how the imbalances of egos and skills clash both in and out of that intimidating octagonal arena.
The coaches are Randy Couture and Chuck Liddell (who fought 1 week after the show’s finale), who are strong, wise, approachable, and skilled mixed-martial-artists. Both of these guys bring different but equally effective styles of coaching. Also present is UFC president Dana White. This guy is not executive hogwash. No, this man is not afraid to come down hard on the fighters, and speak bluntly about the 16 guys competing for those contracts. The only problem is that he doesn a little too much commentating with his interviews, but he is insightful and very smart.
What might the unintiated not like about this DVD collection?
Well, this is a show about fighting. If you don’t really dig boxing or wrestling, then perhaps this isn’t for you. It is a lot easier for me to recommend this First Season as a UFC fan, and martial-arts learner. But this show isn’t about violence. The 16 fighters, the coaches, and Dana White all make it clear that UFC fighting is a job with no room for uncertainty. Professional fighting requires calculation, strategy, hard work, mental/emotional stability, and physical conditioning. I watched this entire season with a friend of mine who hates fighting, but she still grew to appreciate what these men do for a living, and loved that the unfit challengers didn’t stick around very long.
This show exemplifies the perfect balance for reality TV. It’s a competition, but it isn’t too focused on being a game show. It’s got lots of interviews and fighter-feedback, but is not too interested in the secret alliances or betrayals that have foreshadowed and ruined countless reality TV shows. The fights are good, but there is even intercut opinions to explain why the fighters did what they did in that ring, and why they were or were not smart with their game plan. The crew of this show took the time to edit enough so that fight-fans and martial artists could understand the terms and didn’t get bored, and also enough so that newcomers didn’t feel confused. I’ve always liked the UFC, but now I love it. This show has propelled the Ultimate Fighting Championship to new heights, and has rightfully earned its reputation. I’m not fond of reality TV that much (except for WWE’s Tough Enough 1 and 2…see a connection here?), but “Ultimate Fighter” is an outstanding work of television, and has been followed by a good second season worthy of the franchise. This crew knows what its doing. I’ll even go so far as to say that any fan of TV in general should check this DVD-set out. You want originality, emotional depth, hard-hitting competition, and non-censored television…you can have it all in one package! DO NOT PASS THIS UP!
Rating: 5 / 5
There is something radically new about placing potential Ultimate Fighters in a house, training all day and vying for a coveted contract in the UFC. This isn’t Survivor or The Real World. The Fighters are only searching for the Truth via the 8-Sided Cage called The Octagon. There aren’t wimpy schemes, posturing for the camera, kooks lobbying for an acting career. The Fighters are only trying to compete and win.
Who are the Fighters? Championship fighters Randy Couture and Chuck Liddell, along with UFC President Dana White are there to facilitate and guide the crew to the next level. And these guys really have their hands full, with Bobby Southworth, Chris “CatSmasher” Leben, Diego “Nightmare” Sanchez and the instant Legend Forest Griffin are all major standouts in the shows reality tv moments. But the entire cast is excellent, guys you care about, surprisingly articulate and definitely original.
Great moments of note: A fighter urinates on the bed of his future opponent to “mark his territory.” A drunken fighter goes on a rampage and punches a door down enraged after being teased too many times. A fighter loses 30 pounds in less than 3 days, with 20 pounds being “cut” in the last 24 hours to make weight for a fight….not to mention some great fights, surprises and villains.
America gets introduced to a true megastars in the personalities of Randy Couture, Dana White and the intensity of the Iceman Chuck Liddell.
Fight fans get to see Mixed Martial Arts(MMA) go mainstream.
The public gets to see the most exciting sport/television today.
Rating: 5 / 5
If you like the UFC and reality tv, you will like this. Fighters from all over the globe get selected to fight for a UFC contract. They move into the house and all hell breaks loose after that. This DVD includes great fights. If you are fimiliar with the cast of season one, strange brew and Chris Leben eventually get to fight. Other than that, I don’t really wanna ruin to much. I highly recommend buying this.
Rating: 5 / 5
The idea was brilliant: pit two legendary UFC Champions competing against eachother in another aspect of Mixed Martial Arts – COACHING. The Teams are divided by divisions and weight classes for Randy Couture (The former Light-Heavyweight and Heavyweight champion and future heavyweight champion) and Chuck “The Iceman” Liddell (Reigning Light-Heavyweight Champion). Interesting team challenges decide whose team gets to pick the first fight, and so on. Great season, introducing the likes of eight of the best middleweight rising stars and eight of the best light-heavyweight Future Stars of the fast growing phenomenon that is MMA.
Light Heavyweights
Team Liddell: Bobby Southworth, Sam Hoger, Forrest Griffin, Alex Schoenauer
Team Couture: Stephan Bonnar, Mike Swick, Lodune Sincaid, Jason Thacker
Middleweights
Team Liddell: Diego Sanchez, Josh Koscheck, Kenny Florian, Josh Rafferty
Team Couture: Nathan Quarry, Chris Leben, Alex Karalexis, Chris Sanford
The hosting by Willa Ford is an unusual bonus.
Episode 1
Light Heavyweight and Middleweight teams are chosen by coaches Chuck Liddell and Randy Couture
Episode 2
Team Liddell wins the first Light Heavyweight Challenge.
Jason Thacker is sent home by Randy Couture.
Team Liddell wins the first Middleweight Challenge.
Chris Sanford is sent home by Randy Couture.
Episode 3
Alex Schoenauer wins the Light Heavyweight challenge. Bobby Southworth comes in last and will be forced to fight in the elimination bout.
Bobby Southworth vs. Lodune Sincaid.
Episode 4
Alex Schoenauer is traded to Team Couture as part of a team re-balance.
Team Liddell wins the Middleweight challenge and the opportunity to schedule the next fight.
Diego Sanchez vs. Alex Karalexis.
Episode 5
There was no challenge or fight in this episode. The show featured Nate Quarry’s injury and the fight and pranks between Bobby Southworth, Josh Koscheck and Chris Leben.
Episode 6
As fallout from the previous episode, there is no challenge and Dana White schedules the Middleweight fight between Chris Leben and Josh Koscheck.
Josh Koscheck vs. Chris Leben.
Episode 7
Josh Rafferty is traded to Team Couture in another team reshuffle.
Team Couture wins the Light Heavyweight challenge.
Stephan Bonnar vs. Bobby Southworth.
Episode 8
Nate Quarry is eliminated from the show due to his ankle injury. Dana White asks Quarry to stay on as an assistant coach, and he agrees.
Quarry gets to choose what fighter from the loser’s lounge gets to come back and he chooses Chris Leben.
Team Couture wins the middleweight challenge.
Diego Sanchez vs. Josh Rafferty.
Episode 9
Team Liddell wins the light heavyweight challenge.
Sam Hoger is accused of stealing from the other competitors.
Forrest Griffin vs. Alex Schoenauer.
Episode 10
In the first middleweight semifinal match, Kenny Florian vs. Chris Leben.
Episode 11
In the second middleweight semifinal match, Diego Sanchez vs. Josh Koscheck.
Episode 12
Forrest Griffin vs. Sam Hoger.
Stephan Bonnar vs. Mike Swick.
IN THE FINALE!
Undercard
Alex Karalexis vs. Josh Rafferty
Mike Swick vs. Alex Schoenauer
Nathan Quarry vs.Lodune Sincaid
Josh Koscheck vs. Chris Sanford
Chris Leben vs. Jason Thacker
Sam Hoger vs Bobby Southworth
Main card
Middleweight Final – Diego Sanchez vs. Kenny Florian for the TUF championship in the middleweight division.
Light Heavyweight Final – Forrest Griffin vs. Stephan Bonnar(Fight of the Year for 2005 – both fighter win contracts for their performance)for the TUF championship in the light-heavyweight division.
Main Event – Rich Franklin vs. Ken Shamrock
Rating: 5 / 5
I just started watching MMA about a month ago when I found some UFC DVDs in the bargain bin at my local Blockbuster. Long story short, a month later, I own UFC 40-60 and TUF (The Ultimate Fighter) season 1. TUF Season 2 is coming in the mail. MMA is completely new to me, yeah I’ve been living in a cave. If MMA is new to you, TUF season 1 is a terrific place to start.
Rating: 5 / 5