If you were an MMA fan in January 2005, chances are you remember where you were when the first season of “The Ultimate Fighter” premiered. That’s not just because of what the show eventually became or even because of what it meant for the growth and possible salvation of the UFC, but also because of what it was like to be an MMA fan in North America at the time. Think of it this way: In 2004, the year before “TUF 1” debuted, the UFC put on just five events. They were all pay-per-view offerings, since there was no such thing as a UFC Fight Night event back then, or even a UFC TV deal
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Today in MMA History: First episode of ‘The Ultimate Fighter’ hits airwaves – MMA Junkie