As UFC and FOX announce their new multi-year partnership, details have confirmed that a revamped The Ultimate Fighter series will begin airing on FX Network this spring. A UFC press release stated:
In spring 2012, THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER, UFC’s signature weekly reality show moves to FX, FOX’s general entertainment cable network now in more than 99 million homes. With the move to FX, the show will feature a newly-designed format. FX is also set to televise another four-to six-live UFC events annually, with a mixture of additional events and programs heading to FSMG cable networks including FUEL TV.
Changes to the TUF show include a two-hour live season premiere to showcase 16 ‘all-or-nothing’ fights among 32 fighters and audience participation as viewers vote on who will fight who once coaches select their teams. TUF episodes will be edited in real time and live fights will follow each episode over a 12 week period leading up to the 13th episode which will be an all live event crowning the champion.
Changes to UFC pay-per-view events are also in the works and Fox’s first UFC Live event will air November 12th.