TUF: Team Liddell v Team Ortiz hits Fuel

The Ultimate Fighting Championship organisation is proud to partner with FUEL TV to bring the brand new season of the Ultimate Fighter to Australian airwaves.

The Ultimate Fighter: Team Liddell vs. Team Ortiz begins this Sunday, 4 April exclusive to FUEL TV with the premiere episode airing at 8:30pm AET.

The eleventh season of the hit program will feature 28 of the world’s best up-and-coming mixed martial artists, competing for 14 spots in the Ultimate Fighter house.

Kyle Noke - an Australian mixed martial artist and former bodyguard for Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin - is amongst those fighting for the six-figure UFC contract. He is only the second fighter from Down Under to appear in The Ultimate Fighter, following former opponent George Sotiropoulos, who reached the semi-finals during season six.

Marshall Zelaznik, UFC Managing Director of International Development, said: “We’re delighted to once again be working with our partners at Fuel TV to bring The Ultimate Fighter to Australia.

“George Sotiropoulos got his break in the UFC when he appeared in Season six of the program.  Following his recent win at UFC 110 in Sydney, George has become arguably Australia’s best ever mixed martial artist and can now target a world title shot within the next year or so. I expect local fans will have high hopes for Noke, who is 1-1 against George, and will be excited to tune in each week.”

Adam Howarth, FUEL TV Channel Manager, is delighted FUEL TV remains the home of TUF on Australian television.

“FUEL TV will deliver more UFC content than any other network this year, including exclusive coverage of various live events, including the live finale of TUF 11 & 12, and Ultimate Fight Nights,” said Howarth.

The Ultimate Fighter will air on Fuel TV at 8:30pm AET on Sundays from April 4. FUEL TV’s coverage of UFC is available to FOXTEL and AUSTAR subscribers.

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About The Ultimate Fighter® Team Liddell v Team Ortiz The Ultimate Fighter is a hugely popular reality TV show where the best unsigned mixed martial artists in the world compete in an elimination tournament.  T he contestants are split into two teams, each coached by a renowned UFC fighter, and matched against each other until only two men remain in the competition.

Season 11 of The Ultimate Fighter features two coaches who need no introduction to mixed martial arts fans, UFC legends Chuck “The Iceman” Liddell and Tito “The Huntington Beach Badboy” Ortiz.

During the six-week taping of The Ultimate Fighter: Team Liddell vs. Team Ortiz, the competitors endure a gruelling regime of jiu-jitsu, judo, Muay Thai, karate, boxing and wrestling.  The intense competition among the fighters continues after they leave the gym – at the Ultimate Fighter House.  These warriors must live together, knowing that any day they might be forced to fight each other in the famed UFC Octagon™.

The two finalists will meet in a live showdown in Las Vegas with the winner earning a cash prize as well as a six-figure, long-term UFC contract.  Previous ‘TUF’ contestants have gone on to become huge stars in the UFC, including the likes of Forrest Griffin, Rashad Evans, Mike Bisping and Matt Serra.

About Kyle Noke

Born in Mooloolaba on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, Kyle Noke grew up playing basketball and rugby before taking up mixed martial arts.  He currently boasts 16 wins to 4 losses in his MMA career, including victories over George Sotiropoulos and fellow The Ultimate Fighter cast member Kyacey Uscola.  Noke is also known for serving as a bodyguard from 2003 – 2007 for Australia’s most famous MMA fan, the late “Crocodile Hunter” Steve Irwin.

Now living in the US, Noke trains full time with Jackson MMA in New Mexico alongside the likes of Keith Jardine, Joey Villasenor, Jon Jones, Nate Marquardt and Rashad Evans.