The importance of The Ultimate Fighter and how it changed UFC’s fortune remains well-known. Not just that, but it was Dana White’s final move to take the sport to mainstream. Fortunately for White, the reality TV show not only saved UFC but also became a part of pop culture, spawning 30+ seasons. Moreover, it also created many world champions in its wake.
One of the newly minted Ultimate Fighter champions, Bryan Battle, shed light on dirty little secrets of what goes on behind the scenes. The UFC fighter shared an anecdote involving Team Alexander Volkanovski‘s coach, who managed to sneak in weed against the producer’s wishes. Battle touched upon how it created commotion in the house and among the production crew.
Shout out to Craig Jones, he would sneak weed into the house…It wasn’t against the rule for UFC fighters, and wasn’t like against the commission or anything like that…The show just didn’t like it, because it made people super relaxed, laying down, which they thought was a bad look.
Bryan Battle via Jaxxon Podcast YouTube
The 30-year-old fighter looked back on one particular instant when Craig Jones took things to another level. Battle recalled being in a pool setting during the production of the show with Alexander Volkanovski. Jones waltzed onto the set with weed, creating a weird situation for everyone involved, including the fighters.
Before we do the pool workout, Craig Jones he comes out with two joints in his mouth and lighters, f**king makes this big scene and producers are losing their mind. And we are also losing our mind…they’re freaking out. But they can’t really do anything you know, because it is not against the rules.
Bryan Battle via Jaxxon Podcast YouTube
😅Bryan Battle drops a wild story! He says Craig Jones brought weed into the TUF house during The Ultimate Fighter 29: Team Volkanovski vs Team Ortega
Even crazier, Battle claims it was Volkanovski’s coach, Joe Lopez, who convinced him to try it😲
🎥YT Jaxxon Podcast / IG… pic.twitter.com/GneFo9pCnX
— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) November 10, 2024
The whole fiasco saw many fighters run to Jones, leaving Battle behind as he had a fight coming up. Battle compensated by ensuring to win the entire season and to become the next Ultimate Fighter. Thus far, Battle has competed 5 times in the UFC, slowly rising in the ranks. The show has been renewed for another season, with casting calls being made to commence production in 2025.
Dana White’s UFC announces the 33rd edition of The Ultimate Fighter
Not long ago, Dana White’s team broke the news about the show being renewed for the 33rd season. The casting calls for the new season have already been announced, with all tryouts taking place in a remote setting. On top of that, this time, the show will feature flyweight and welterweight talents.
It is still unknown who would lead the two teams in this iteration of the show right now. The production is hoping to finalize the cast by January 2025. The last season featured flyweight queens Valentina Shevchenko and Alex Grasso. The rivalry culminated with their trilogy bout, which Shevchenko won at UFC Noche.
From Matt Sera to Kamaru Usman, the show has produced 8 UFC champions across 32 seasons. This in itself is an impressive statistic. Similarly, there have many superstars who got their start with the reality TV show, who went on to become PPV stars like Nate Diaz, Tony Ferguson, and more. It would be quite intriguing to see what’s in store for the next season, and who might be named as the new coaches.
