The Ultimate Fighter

10 Best Episodes of The Ultimate Fighter - Season 18

Sixteen aspiring mixed martial artists live together, train together and compete against each other to become the Ultimate Fighter. They receive coaching from UFC champions and contenders in a variety of martial arts including wrestling, boxing, judo, Jiu-Jitsu, karate and kickboxing. The winner receives a six-figure contract from the UFC.

Written by Sophie and last updated on feb 10, 2023.

PS: The following content contains spoilers!

PPS: I will admit that parts of this page was written with the help of AI - it makes my work so much easier to not start from a blank page!

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The Ultimate Fighter - S18E8

#15 - Tied (Season 18 - Episode 8)

Interviews with Dana White, Ronda Rousey, Miesha Tate and members of the teams recap the season up to this point.

The episode was rated 6.70 from 40 votes.

The Ultimate Fighter - S18E12

#14 - One Punch Away (Season 18 - Episode 12)

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Both teams head to Mandalay Bay where Ronda and Miesha face off in a rock climbing Coaches Challenge. Weight issues come into play leading up to the last men's semifinal, putting one fighter's dreams of fighting in the finale in jeopardy.

The episode was rated 6.83 from 52 votes.

The Ultimate Fighter - S18E9

#13 - Sacrifice (Season 18 - Episode 9)

It’s the final two prelim fights! Anthony Gutierrez is slated to take on Team Tate’s Cody Bollinger. On the women’s side, Sarah Moras is matched up against the 6’1” Peggy Morgan of Team Rousey. Which fighters will solidify their spots in the semi’s?

The episode was rated 7.51 from 57 votes.

The Ultimate Fighter - S18E11

#12 - Mean Girls (Season 18 - Episode 11)

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Tate Teammates Sarah Moras and Julianna Peña are matched up in the first women’s semifinal fight of the competition. The fight promises to be one of emotion as Peña attempts to avenge a loss to Moras earlier in her career.

The episode was rated 7.51 from 49 votes.

The Ultimate Fighter - S18E7

#11 - Zone In (Season 18 - Episode 7)

On Father’s Day, Rousey visits the Ultimate Fighter house to drop off presents to the fathers. Then, in the sixth preliminary fight of the season, Team Rousey’s Michael Wootten and Josh Hill of Team Tate duke it out for a coveted spot in the semifinals.

The episode was rated 7.55 from 47 votes.

The Ultimate Fighter - S18E13

#10 - Aiming for the Top (Season 18 - Episode 13)

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Team Rousey's Jessica Rakoczy and Team Tate's Raquel Pennington are hit with serious injuries during training. Who can muster up the strength to fight through the pain, and earn a spot in the live finale against Julianna Pena?

The episode was rated 7.57 from 51 votes.

The Ultimate Fighter - S18E10

#9 - HWPO (Season 18 - Episode 10)

The semifinalists make a special visit to a Harley-Davidson boot camp. Then, British brawler Michael Wootten takes on jiu-jitsu blackbelt Chris Holdsworth, with a spot in the live finale on the line.

The episode was rated 7.57 from 49 votes.

The Ultimate Fighter - S18E15

#8 - Julianna Pena vs. Jessica Rakoczy TUF 18 Finale (Season 18 - Episode 15)

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Julianna Pena takes on Jessica Rakoczy with the winner becoming the first women's Ultimate FIghter.

The episode was rated 7.62 from 13 votes.

The Ultimate Fighter - S18E14

#7 - Chris Holdsworth vs. Davey Grant TUF 18 Finale (Season 18 - Episode 14)

TUF 18 Finale

The episode was rated 7.82 from 22 votes.

The Ultimate Fighter - S18E5

#6 - Redemption (Season 18 - Episode 5)

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The team Rousey fighters get some extra inspiration when Rousey invites her mother, winner of the 1984 World Judo Championships, to guest coach. Team Tate’s Louis Fisette looks to redeem his elimination fight loss as he prepares for Rousey’s David Grant.

The episode was rated 7.87 from 52 votes.

The Ultimate Fighter - S18E4

#5 - Use the Force (Season 18 - Episode 4)

The feud between coaches heats up when assistant Edmond Traverdyan of Team Rousey and guest coach Dennis Hallman of Team Tate get into an altercation. Then, in the third prelim fight, Team Tate's Roxanne Modafferi takes on decorated boxer Jessica Rakoczy.

The episode was rated 7.90 from 49 votes.

The Ultimate Fighter - S18E1

#4 - History in the Making (Season 18 - Episode 1)

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For the first time ever, women will compete on the Ultimate Fighter. Sixteen women will fight alongside sixteen men for their spot in the house. Coaches Ronda Rousey and Miesha Tate choose teams and the first Preliminary Fight is announced.

The episode was rated 7.98 from 58 votes.

The Ultimate Fighter - S18E2

#3 - Ladies First (Season 18 - Episode 2)

Tensions rise as the coaches cross paths, and a hopeful fighter's UFC dream is threatened by injury. Then the women go to battle when the number one female picks Julianna Pena of Team Tate and veteran Shayna Baszler of Team Rousey square off.

The episode was rated 8.00 from 56 votes.

The Ultimate Fighter - S18E3

#2 - Stick and Move (Season 18 - Episode 3)

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Team Tate is in the hunt for its second win as Chris Holdsworth takes on Rousey’s number one male pick, Chris Beal. The coaches nearly come to blows over an old controversy, and hints of romance as the coeds settle into their new living arrangements.

The episode was rated 8.04 from 50 votes.

The Ultimate Fighter - S18E6

#1 - Little Princesses (Season 18 - Episode 6)

After the fighters attend a special Hooter's event, Anthony Gutierrez annoys everyone at the house. Then, Team Tate's Raquel Pennington takes on Jessamyn Duke of Team Rousey, with a spot in the semis on the line.

The episode was rated 8.07 from 57 votes.

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