10 Ultimate Fighter Victors With The Best Winning %
Winning the show was just the start for these athletes.
Entering 2005, the UFC was struggling. Public interest in the sport was waning and Zuffa, the company that had purchased UFC in January 2001, were experiencing millions of dollars in losses.
In a last ditch effort to save the brand, Zuffa owners Lorenzo and Frank Fertitta III came up with a reality television show concept known as The Ultimate Fighter (TUF), where 16 up-and-coming MMA fighters would live and train together while also fighting against each other in an elimination style format. The winner at the end of the competition would be granted a six-figure UFC contract.
The show was an immediate success. In fact, the battle in the season one finale between Forrest Griffin and Stephan Bonnar is widely regarded as the fight that saved UFC.
There have been 24 more seasons of TUF with a stand alone finale since its debut in January 2005, as well as ten international seasons. The show has served as a factory for up-and-coming talent and has also produced six former title holders.
With that being said, here are ten TUF alumni who have accumulated the best UFC winning percentages during their time with the company.
10. Nate Diaz (61% Winning Rate)
The winner of TUF season five, Diaz has enjoyed a 61% UFC winning percentage since 2007.
The Stockton, California native started his UFC career off with five straight victories, however his most notable win came at UFC 196 in March 2016. It was on this date that Diaz upset reigning lightweight champ 'Notorious' Conor McGregor with a second round submission.
McGregor had been undefeated in his seven prior UFC bouts, which included a 13 second knockout of former featherweight champ Jose Aldo.