Top 5 Times The Ultimate Fighter Tackled Serious Issues.

Intro.

TV has a funny way of promoting itself, when it comes to sensitive topics. Reality TV is no differant. Some have decided to only mention things in passing Like The Hills did with Stephanie Pratt. MTV a decade later would debut 16 and recovering, a show that was focused on healing teenagers, and guiding them through the balance of recovering from drug addiction. The UFC's Ultimate Fighter reality show, over the past 33 seasons has welcomed in many differant fighters from differant walks of life. This means differant important issues, can be spoken about.

5. Bereavement Season 15 Michael Chiesa.

Season 15 of The Ultimate Fighter was the first one to be aired live, with the fights going live, and the training airing in real time. After his fight to get into the house Team Faber standout Michael Chiesa was allowed a phone call home, and he was told that his dad had passed away. You could see the anquish on his face, as emotion took over. He told his friend in the house Sam Sicilia, and this helped, he was seen telling the camera that his dad hung on so he could see his son fight on TV, and then passed away. This was a pivotal moment in the series as this showcased the real raw emotion that fighters go through.

4. Drug Addiction Court Mcgee Season 11.

This man is the definition of what true human spirit stands for, and means. Court who went on to win the show, and spoke about how serious his issues with addiction went, from near death to eventually winning the show. Court showed that you can overcome anything if you want it bad enough. He went on to praise his coach on the show Chuck Liddell, and then dedicated his win to those who are going through there own hell at that very moment. I remember watching the show back recently, and the one thought that ran through my head was the fact that the right man won. He's still with the Vegas promotion to this day.

3. Abandonment Issues Chris Leben Season 1.

For this entry were going all the way back to the very first season. This was more of an incident. After a night out drinking. Bobby Southworth, and. Josh Koscheck played the part of wind up merchants. Bobby would go on to bring up the fact that Chris recently tried to reconnect with his long lost dad, and this would cause what came next. I remember watching this at the time, and I felt sorry for Chris, however watching this with 2025 eyes it was clear that Chris had issues. I don't think that it was wise to put him on national TV. I believe that the UFC now has a screening system, so that these issues don't come back up. This would be brought up again when Julian Lane entered the house on season 16.

2. Depression Aisling Daly Season 20.

Mental Health is No Joke, and should be treated with cotton gloves. This is the case of Aisling Daly, who opened to the camera about her struggles with Depression. It was heart breaking to hear how her mind would work, and seeing this on a sports show, was needed. Bare in mind that back in 2014, the world was starting to wake up to the fact it's ok to not be ok, thankfully these days open discussions about mental health are a lot more prevelent in MMA, and this is something that is beyond important. The fight game has changed, as the fight industry has started to open it's eyes. Aisling retired from MMA in 2017 due to a found abnormality during a routine brain scan.

1. Joe Daddy Stevenson Alcohol Addiction Season 25.

Season 25 of The Ultimate Fighter was centred around the arc of redemption, as the likes of Jesse Taylor. Julian Lane, and. James Krause were brought back to the show, but one other fan favourite was also brought back. Season 2 winner Joe Daddy Stevenson. Since winning the show back in 2005. Joe would face BJ Penn for the Light Championship at UFC 80, and have a steady build up to the fight, however after losing four fights on the bounce. He was released from his contract in 2010. He then went on to work in the TV industry as a fight consultant. In 2017 he was welcomed back to the show, and it was here when he opened up about his issues with Alcohol, and how the love for his kids, and the fight industry got him through this time, as he proved that sobriety can be a solid way of life.

My Inspiration for this piece.

My inspiration for this piece comes from own life. I've had issues with learning for as long as I can remember, and I still get hurt when Some people don't understand were i'm coming from, but if that tought me anything it's this. If you have drive, and a vision in life, you owe it to yourself to see it through, and succeed.