Over the years, 304 MMA fighters have circulated through The Ultimate Fighter.* A few handfuls at a time, 19 seasons’ worth of would-be professionals lived together, trained, bro-hugged, cried, played pool, pulled pranks, cut weight, hung out by the pool, missed their kids, bared their souls, performed unspeakable acts on each other’s snacks and blended approximately seven cubic miles of smoothie.
In search of that six-figure UFC contract, these men and women left their homes and families for weeks at a time, foregoing contact with the outside world and surrendering their lives to the daily boom-and-bust cycle of world-class vocational instruction and a desert mansion full of medium-grade bourbon.
Of all those 304 who were skilled and lucky enough to make it to the house, 28 hoisted the glass winner’s plaque at the season finale. But even that doesn’t guarantee—or disqualify—real success on the sport’s biggest stage.
Here are the 10 (and a few honorable mentions) who went through the show (all contestants, not just winners, were considered) and had the most success. Rankings based on overall success, record and level of competition.
*Domestic version only