Spike TV Looks for a Real Contender in 'The Ultimate Fighter'

Sixteen of America's Most Fearless Athletes Compete To Win a Contract With the Ultimate Fighting Championship(TM)

Willa Ford To Co-Host New Series Premiering Monday, January 17

NEW YORK, Jan. 6 -- Spike TV has assembled sixteen men from across North America to determine who has what it takes to earn a contract with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (R) in The Ultimate Fighter. This new original series, co-hosted by recording artist and model Willa Ford, premieres on Monday, January 17 (11:00pm-Midnight) following WWE Monday Night Raw. Craig Piligian (Co-Executive Producer Survivor I, II and III and Executive Producer and Creator of American Chopper) serves as Executive Producer.

The competitors in The Ultimate Fighter are not voted off the island, fired by a CEO, or eliminated in a rose ceremony. Instead, the ones sent home are those who lose in the Octagon (TM) or sent packing by their coach because they let the team down.

"Sylvester Stallone may be looking for a Contender, but the UFC is looking for a Champion," boldly boasts Dana White, President, UFC and Host. "The Ultimate Fighter goes behind the scenes to see what it takes when 16 hard-core guys from around the country live, train, and fight together -- all with one ultimate goal."

"As someone who knows something about 'Survivor', nobody knows more about survival than these 16 young men," said Craig Piligian. "Viewers will love the hearts and souls of these guys and how much their lives are placed on hold in pursuit of this dream."

"Guys have never seen a reality show like this before," said Jim Burns, Senior Vice President, Sports and Specials, Spike TV. "The curtain will be lifted on the intense, high action world of the UFC."

The sixteen competitors are all accomplished athletes, disciplined in wide range of mixed martial arts that include wrestling, boxing, judo, Jiu-Jitsu, karate and kickboxing. For seven weeks, the competitors were under the strict supervision of two of the most successful and famous UFC fighters and trainers -- UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, Randy Couture and UFC Light Heavyweight #1 Contender, Chuck Liddell.

Throughout the show, the competitors will also compete in various challenges. These team and individual challenges are designed to push the fighters to the edge of their physical and mental capabilities that revolve around old school training techniques, physical stamina, and mental strategy.

The Ultimate Fighter was taped in Las Vegas where the UFC(R) brand has its National Training Center.

Craig Piligian of Pilgrim Films and Television is the show's creator and executive producer. Robert Riesenberg, (Executive Producer of NBC's The Restaurant) of Full Circle Entertainment also serves as executive producer. Jim Burns is Senior Vice President, Sports & Specials, Spike TV. Peter Symuleski is Executive in Charge of Production for Spike TV.

With new rules and regulations, the UFC(R), is licensed in various states including Nevada, Florida, and New Jersey. Along with growing the business, the UFC is focused on protecting the combatants, and are proud that there has never been a serious injury or death in the history of the franchise. It is of interest to note all UFC athletes are highly-trained and many are college- educated. Sports pedigrees include the Olympics, the Pan American Games and NCAA Division I All-Americans.

Robert Riesenberg is president and CEO of Full Circle Entertainment, a New York Company. Full Circle Entertainment is an independent production company specializing in developing and producing programming that service the marketing needs of advertisers. Full Circle Entertainment is a wholly owned unit Omnicom Media Group, which is part of the Omnicom Group.

Spike TV, the first network for men, is available in 87 million homes and is a division of MTV Networks. MTV Networks, a division of Viacom International Inc. (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), owns and operates the following television programming services -- MTV: MUSIC TELEVISION, MTV2, mtvU, VHI, NICKELODEON, NICK at NITE, COMEDY CENTRAL, TV LAND, SPIKE TV, CMT, NOGGIN, MTV INTERNATIONAL and THE DIGITAL SUITE FROM MTV NETWORKS, a package of 12 digital services, all of which are trademarks of MTV Networks. MTV Networks also has licensing agreements, joint ventures, and syndication deals whereby all of its programming services can be seen worldwide.

The Ultimate Fighting Championship brand of mixed martial arts is the world's premier series of MMA events. Owned and operated by Zuffa, LLC, and headquartered in Las Vegas, Nev., UFC(R) fight programs feature six live pay- per-view events annually through cable and satellite providers. In addition to its U.S. distribution, UFC(R) fight shows are distributed internationally through WOWOW, Inc. in Japan, Globosat in Brazil, Sky Network in New Zealand and Premiere Network in Germany. Zuffa, LLC licenses the distribution of UFC video games through Take 2 Interactive and its fight show DVDs through Studioworks Entertainment, a Ventura Distribution company. "Ultimate Fighting Championship," "Ultimate Fighting," "Ultimate Fighter," "UFC," "Submission," "As Real As It Gets" and the Octagon cage design are registered trademarks or trademarks owned exclusively by Zuffa, LLC in the U.S., Japan and other jurisdictions.

All other marks that may be referenced herein belong to their respective holders.

SOURCE Spike TV
Web Site: http://www.spiketv.com