The man behind the show that changed this sport 🫡
Welcome Craig Piligian to the UFC Hall of Fame! @UltimateFighter pic.twitter.com/s2zhRYwpql
— UFC (@ufc) January 19, 2025Advertisement
One of the key figures in the birth of “The Ultimate Fighter” will be headed to the UFC Hall of Fame this summer.During the UFC 311 broadcast, it was announced that producer Craig Piligian will be inducted into the Contributor Wing for his role in helping bring “TUF” to life. The long-running reality show was born when Piligian met with UFC president Dana White and former UFC CEO to “discuss an unscripted television series aimed at showcasing and promoting the organization’s brand and 16 athletes living together in a house while competing for a six-figure contract with UFC,” according to a release.
“TUF 1” debuted on Jan. 17, 2005 on Spike TV and was produced by Piligian’s Pilgrim Media Group. The show served as something of a launching point …