In 2005, the UFC was struggling to find a foothold in the greater global consciousness when Dana White and the Fertitta brothers had an idea: build a reality television program - The Ultimate Fighter - around the sport and the fighters to Trojan Horse the UFC into the mainstream. It worked and the TUF Finale fight between Forrest Griffin and Stephan Bonnar is now widely credited as the single most pivotal moment in MMA history. But now, the UFC’s flagship program may be on its final voyage.
Speaking with MMAJunkie over the weekend, Dana White discussed the UFC’s new ESPN deal and what it would mean for the UFC going forward, saying that he didn’t know what would happen but that The Ultimate Fighter could be finished after its next season.