Spike TV's 'The Ultimate Fighter' Season 12 Starts Production

The UFC's popular reality show on Spike TV, "The Ultimate Fighter," begins filming its 12th season this week in Las Vegas. This installment will feature 28 unsigned lightweight fighters hungry for the opportunity to land the show's grand prize—a guaranteed six-figured contract.

The rivaling coaches include two of the UFC’s biggest draws in the welterweight division—170 lb. undisputed champion Georges St-Pierre (20-2) and Canadian fans’ public enemy, No. 1 challenger Josh Koscheck (15-4).

The season will culminate into a rematch between the two. Back in 2007 at UFC 74, Koscheck suffered a unanimous decision loss to the current champ in a non-title fight in Las Vegas.
 
St-Pierre’s victory over Koscheck, three years ago, was the beginning of a seven fight win-streak after losing the welterweight title to former champ Matt Serra.

The two-time Canadian Athlete of the Year went on to beat Hall-of-Famer Matt Hughes—for the second time in his career—to win the title back and defend it four consecutive times.
 
His most recent title defense happened back in March at UFC 111, against British contender Dan “The Outlaw” Hardy. St-Pierre completely dominated his opponent for five rounds with his far superior wrestling skills, earning himself a unanimous decision.
 
Koscheck was last seen in the octagon last month at UFC 113 puting another British striker, Paul Daley, through a wrestling clinic as well.
 
If all goes as planned through the six weeks of taping, unlike the previous two seasons, the lightweight series will conclude with a title fight on a UFC pay-per-view event sometime in December between St-Pierre and Koscheck.

St-Pierre was first seen on the reality show as a guest trainer during the fourth sesason—Serra beat Chris Lytle in the finals to win a title shot against the Canadian—while Koscheck was a contestant in the monumental premiere season of the series.
 
The new season premieres in the Fall on Wednesday, September 13 at 10pm ET/PT.