The Ultimate Fighter 2
The Ultimate Fighter 2 – Season Recap
The Ultimate Fighter returns for its second explosive season with 18 new MMA combatants. Each hopes to secure the lucrative UFC contract that awaits the last man standing at the end of the season. The fighters represent 2 weight classes (welterweight and heavyweight) and are coached by UFC legends Matt Hughes and Rich Franklin.
Episode 1 begins as the fighters meet one another and retire to the communal house they’ll share for the entire season. By the end of the episode, 3 fighters have already gone home. In Episode 2, the fighters are picked and teams are built around Hughes and Franklin. Hughes’ team wins the first competition and chooses a fighter from each team to battle. Josh Burkman (from Team Hughes) defeats Melvin Gallard, whose hand is broken during the bout and Gallard is eliminated.
Episode 3 sees the elimination of another member from Team Franklin, Rob MacDonald. Team Franklin wins the challenge in Episode 4, but due to a surprising match-up, loses another member, Marcus Davis. The heavyweights battle in the fifth episode and Rashad Evans from Team Franklin eliminates Tom Murphy. Episodes 6 and 7 are fast-paced as Jason Von Flu wins the bout for Team Hughes only to be sent to Team Franklin after his victory. Then, Seth Petruzelli eliminates Team Hughes’ Dan Christison.
Luke Cummo defeats Team Franklin’s Anthony Torres in Episode 8, but Rashad Evans evens the score by eliminating Team Hughes’ Mike Whitehead in the following episode. In Episode 10, UFC President Dan White tells the remaining fighters that the uneven teams require a change in how opponents are chosen for the bouts. 2 of Hughes’ fighters enter the ring and by the end of the episode, Luke Cummo eliminates Sammy Morgan.
Episode 11 focuses on a fight between Keith Jardine and Rashad Evans. Eventually, Jardine is sent home. Jason Von Flu returns from a brief hospital stay in Episode 12 and is eliminated by Joe Stevenson. Before the episode ends, Brad Imes beats Seth Petruzelli. Episode 13 is broadcast live on SpikeTV, and Rashad Evans and Joe Stevenson are eventually awarded UFC contracts. Meanwhile, fans are primed for The Ultimate Fighter Season 3 to begin.