After 10 years of The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) and multiple different iterations of the reality fighting series, Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is ready to flip the script, drastically changing the dynamic for the upcoming 21st season of TUF.
Instead of a collection of fighters from every corner of the world converging in Las Vegas, two gyms will battle out for supremacy as American Top Team (ATT) faces off against The Blackzilians.
Both camps are well known in the MMA community, boasting unheralded and nearly unrivaled rosters. Current UFC welterweight champion Robbie Lawler, Hector Lombard, Thiago Alves, Dustin Poirier, Will Brooks, Yoel Romero, and many more call ATT home, while Blackzilians host Rashad Evans, Anthony Johnson, Michael Johnson, Eddie Alvarez, Vitor Belfort, and more.
Both teams are located in South Florida, and the show has already begun filming in the "Sunshine State." The show, which will debut on FOX Sports 1 on April 22nd, will feature eight welterweights from both gyms as the teams vie for a $500,000 prize.
While the new format was rumored earlier this year, UFC President Dana White formally announced the new season at the "Welcome to the Show" launch event this afternoon (Sat., Feb. 28, 2015).
From The Ultimate Fighter Twitter:
Bad Blood: The history of the @AmericanTopTeam vs. @blackzilians Rivalry #WhatSideAreYouOn? pic.twitter.com/s1lJcwgNgi
— The Ultimate Fighter (@UltimateFighter) February 28, 2015
The teams will be run by the head coaches of the respective gyms as Dan Lambert takes the reigns for ATT, and Glenn Robinson for the Blackzilians. Considering the two men have a history and natural rivalry, this could mean quality television for UFC and FOX producers.
Now it will be just a matter of time before we realize whether or not the new format brings with it a boost in viewership, or TUF is ready to meet its imminent demise after an impressive decade-long run.