The Ultimate Fighter – Team Jones vs. Team Sonnen
Coaches Chael Sonnen and UFC light heavyweight champion Jon "Bones" Jones guide 14 promising middleweights through a brutal competition of skill and determination. At stake is a custom-built Harley Davidson motorcycle, a six-figure UFC contract, and the right to be called "The Ultimate Fighter."
Episodes
Team Jones vs. Team Sonnen - Enter the Octagon
Season 17 begins with 14 winners of middleweight mixed martial arts preliminary bouts meeting coaches Jon "Bones" Jones and Chael Sonnen in Las Vegas. UFC President Dana White announces the first elimination fight. (2 hour show with a special 8 pm start time)
Ambush
Gilbert Smith faces Luke Barnatt in the first preliminary fight after the 14 middleweights move into the house and begin training; Smith gets emotional over his team's doubts about his readiness.
Embrace the Suffering
Before the second preliminary bout, Coach Jones bonds with his squad on a visit to the house, while Coach Sonnen instills confidence in a fighter.
Sign of Disrespect
Before the third preliminary fight, the teams face off in a spontaneous rap battle at the house and a prank ignites smack talk that carries over to the weigh-in.
The Reflection of Perfection
Actor Mickey Rourke visits Team Sonnen to share insights from his days as a boxer while coach Jones wonders if a competitor is ready to fight. Bubba McDaniel meets Kelvin Gastelum in the fourth preliminary fight.
Path to Greatness
A fighter's attitude ignites a blowup at the house, causing a major rift in Team Sonnen; while the fighters battle it out in a night of bowling, Jon and Chael raise the stakes in a game of their own; two fighters meet in the fifth preliminary fight.
His Fist on My Face
The sixth preliminary fight is preceded by a fighter cutting loose and another alienating himself when the guys get a night out at Hooters. Also: a fighter's recurring leg pain lands him in the hospital.
Bag of Tools
After two fighters face off in the last preliminary fight, the coaches decide on the wildcard matchup. Also: Jones and Sonnen face off in a unique and difficult coaches challenge.
The Wild Card
Two preliminary losers face off in the wild-card match; the teams unite for a Thanksgiving feast; a fighter calls out a competitor for the quarterfinals before Dana announces the matchups.
The Quarterfinals Begin
Kelvin Gastelum gets a surprise visit from UFC champ Ronda Rousey, as he prepares for his showdown with tough-as-nails Collin Hart. Boxing legend Mike Tyson is in attendance when Dylan Andrews tries to secure a spot in the final four facing Luke Barnatt.
Vicious
Quarterfinals conclude with Josh Samman squaring off against Jimmy Quinlan and Uriah Hall facing Bubba McDaniel.
The Semis
The final four fighters along with both coaches visit the Harley Davidson Motorcycles showroom to customize their bikes as one of the prizes for being The Ultimate Fighter.