Joanna Jędrzejczyk

The Ultimate Fighter is the reality series that launched the mixed martial arts explosion around the world in 2005. Through 12 weeks, 16 up-and-coming mixed martial artists fight to stay in the house while given world-class coaching by the UFC’s elite fighters. Each competes to be declared the Ultimate Fighter and win a six-figure UFC contract.

The winning fighters arrive at the TUF house and make a mad dash to claim their beds for the next 6 weeks. A married male fighter finds himself in the awkward position of having to room with girls. He finally convinces a teammate to switch beds with him. The next morning, one of the fighters picked for the first preliminary fight pays a visit to an orthopedic specialist. The doctor examines him and voices his concern for an injury that could have an impact on the fighter's ability to fight. Training officially begins as both teams have their first sessions with Joanna and Claudia. Right off the bat, the coaches show a stark difference in their approach to the game. Having to share the same gym proves to be challenging and sparks fly when Joanna runs into Claudia outside the locker rooms. The two teams waste no time in shifting focus to the first preliminary fight matchup. As it turns out, the fighters know one another and are actually quite familiar with each other's styles. One of them knows that his striking will be the key to victory while the injured fighter anticipates having to take the fight to the ground. Meanwhile, a female fighter comes down with an illness that prevents her from training effectively. The day of the weigh-in, the animosity between Joanna and Claudia takes center stage as Joanna decides to bring her championship belt to the gym. That night, the ailing female fighter suffers more complications and ends up collapsing at the house. Fight day arrives and the two competitors show tremendous respect for one another prior to their bout. A dynamic battle ensues and the first semi-finalist is revealed. Finally, the winning coach picks the second preliminary fight.

After reaching the halfway mark in the preliminary round, the coaches turn their attention to their next fighters. However, not all remaining contenders have their head in the game. On the heels of getting a troubling call from his wife back home, Abdel is forced to decide whether to leave the competition or risk the end of his marriage. After hearing about the fighter's predicament, Dana White calls him into his office and ends up giving Abdel an interesting opportunity. Joanna and her coaches work hard to prepare a young competitor for the next fight. The ambitious fighter believes that his inexperience will not hinder him in the fight. Meanwhile, as training continues for both teams, a losing fighter feels likes he may have the opportunity to get a second chance if things don't work out for Abdel. Claudia's next fighter, a skilled veteran with a dark past, is unimpressed by his opponent and feels like he will have no problems getting the victory. As fight day approaches, the fighters have no issues making weight. The night before the matchup, guys and girls decide to have some fun at the house and a series of pranks ensues. Finally, the fighters step into to the octagon and the fifth winner claims his semifinal spot. The next fight is announced for what promises to be an explosive strawweight matchup.

UFC women's bantamweight champion Miesha Tate pays a surprise visit to a Team Claudia practice. One of the semifinalists struggles with a difficult weight cut, putting her fight future in jeopardy. Then, two strawweights face off in the Octagon with a spot in the finale on the line.

Hoping to light a fire under her team, coach Joanna Jedrzejczyk brings in former UFC Strawweight Champion Carla Esparza to help out in training. The "Cookie Monster" runs the fighters through intense drills and techniques that helped her win season 20 of The Ultimate Fighter. At the house, a producer informs Abdel Medjedoub that his wife has called and she insists that she be allowed to speak with him. After talking to her, he reveals that she is upset with him and demands he leave the competition to come home. Distraught and unsure what to do, Abdel tries to put his personal issues behind him and continue to train with his team. Then in the fourth preliminary fight, two strawweights face off for the first time this season, with a spot in the semifinals on the line.