MUMBAI: Sports is fast becoming popular in the reality genre in the US despite the fact that Fox's boxing based reality programme The Next Great Champ failed to bring in the ratings last year. NBC will debut the boxing show The Contender on 21 February. The broadcaster is basically hoping to compete with Fox's American Idol.

Now Viacom's network dedicated to men Spike TV will launch a reality show dedicated to ultimate fighting.

Spike TV's show The Ultimate Fighter will assemble 16 men from across the US to determine who has what it takes to earn a contract with the organisation Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

The new original series, co-hosted by recording artist and model Willa Ford, premieres on 17 January and will follow WWE Raw.. The competitors in The Ultimate Fighter are not voted off the island as in Survivor, fired by a CEO as in The Apprentice , or eliminated in a rose ceremony. Instead, the ones sent home are those who lose in the Octagon or sent packing by their coach because they let the team down.

UFC president Dana White said, "Sylvester Stallone may be looking for a Contender, but the UFC is looking for a Champion. 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."

Spike TV senior VP sports and specials Jim Burns said, "Guys have never seen a reality show like this before. The curtain will be lifted on the intense, high action world of the UFC. The 16 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 number one 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.

As had been reported earlier by Indiantelevision.com NBC's show The Contender will see 16 boxers competing for the chance to win a million dollars and go professional, In India episodes will air on AXN less than 24 hours after their initial broadcast in the US.