More than any single business move the UFC has made, getting The Ultimate Fighter on Spike TV was instrumental to keeping the company afloat and bringing it to a wider audience. But now the UFC-Spike partnership is coming to an end.
In a statement released just minutes before the UFC and Fox are expected to announce a new television agreement, Spike confirmed that its partnership with the UFC is coming to an end.
"The Ultimate Fighter season 14 in September will be our last," the statement says. "We are increasing our commitment to distinctive, original series that we own such as Auction Hunters and Bar Rescue, which are delivering on our goal to reach a broader audience. Our 6-year partnership with the UFC has been incredibly beneficial in building both our brands, and we wish them all the best in the future."
Although the statement doesn't say anything about other UFC programming, like live Fight Night shows and old fights shown on UFC Unleashed, all indications are that the UFC and Spike will be finished as a partnership after the upcoming season of The Ultimate Fighter wraps up.
At the time they made their partnership, the UFC and Spike were great partners, and both parties have grown significantly through the years. But now it makes more sense for both parties to go their separate ways, with the UFC focusing on its deal with Fox, and Spike focusing on shows like Auction Hunters and Bar Rescue.
UFC on FOX Presser Photos
FOX and UFC executives gather to announce seven-year television deal on Aug. 18, 2011 at the FOX studios in Los Angeles.
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UFC on FOX Presser Photos
UFC commentator Joe Rogan hosts the UFC on Fox press conference on Aug. 18, 2011 at the FOX studios in Los Angeles.
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UFC on FOX Presser Photos
Rashad Evans, Chuck Liddell, Georges St-Pierre and Frankie Edgar attend the UFC on FOX press conference on Aug. 18, 2011 at the FOX studios in Los Angeles.
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UFC on FOX Presser Photos
FOX Sports chairman David Hill discusses the UFC on FOX deal on Aug. 18, 2011 at the FOX studios in Los Angeles.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC on FOX Presser Photos
FOX and UFC executives gather to announce seven-year television deal on Aug. 18, 2011 at the FOX studios in Los Angeles.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC on FOX Presser Photos
FOX Sports COO Eric Shanks discusses the UFC on FOX agreement on Aug. 18, 2011 at the FOX studios in Los Angeles.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC on FOX Presser Photos
Rashad Evans watches on during the UFC on FOX press conference on Aug. 18, 2011 at the FOX studios in Los Angeles.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC on FOX Presser Photos
Dana White and Lorenzo Ferttita discuss the promotion's deal with FOX on Aug. 18, 2011 at the FOX studios in Los Angeles.
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UFC on FOX Presser Photos
Frankie Edgar watches the UFC on FOX press conference on Aug. 18, 2011 at the FOX studios in Los Angeles.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC on FOX Presser Photos
Dana White and Lorenzo Ferttita discuss the UFC on FOX deal on Aug. 18, 2011 at the FOX studios in Los Angeles.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC on FOX Presser Photos
FOX and UFC executives gather to announce seven-year television deal on Aug. 18, 2011 at the FOX studios in Los Angeles.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC on FOX Presser Photos
The media takes in the UFC on FOX press conference on Aug. 18, 2011 at the FOX studios in Los Angeles.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC on FOX Presser Photos
Frankie Edgar watches the UFC on FOX press conference on Aug. 18, 2011 at the FOX studios in Los Angeles.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC on FOX Presser Photos
FOX and UFC executives gather to announce seven-year television deal on Aug. 18, 2011 at the FOX studios in Los Angeles.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC on FOX Presser Photos
FOX and UFC executives share the stage on Aug. 18, 2011 at the FOX studios in Los Angeles.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC on FOX Presser Photos
FOX and UFC executives takes the stage with UFC fighters on Aug. 18, 2011 at the FOX studios in Los Angeles.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC on FOX Presser Photos
Georges St. Pierre talks to MMA Fighting about the UFC on FOX deal on Aug. 18, 2011 at the FOX studios in Los Angeles.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC on FOX Presser Photos
The setting for the UFC on FOX press conference on Aug. 18, 2011 at the FOX studios in Los Angeles.