Ep 1. For the Belt

The Ultimate Fighter season 20 episode 1 is titled "For the Belt" and follows the start of the latest installment of the popular reality show. This season features an all-women cast of fighters who are all competing for a chance to become the first strawweight champion of the UFC. The episode begins with a series of interviews with the fighters as they talk about their backgrounds and their motivations for wanting to compete on the show.

As the fighters arrive at the TUF Gym in Las Vegas, they are greeted by UFC president Dana White and coaches Anthony Pettis and Gilbert Melendez. White explains the rules of the competition and lays out the stakes: the winner of the show will get a six-figure UFC contract and the chance to become a world champion.

The episode then turns to the first fight of the season, which pits Team Pettis fighter Carla Esparza against Team Melendez fighter Angela Hill. Both fighters are confident and determined, but it quickly becomes clear that Esparza has the advantage on the ground. She takes Hill down several times and dominates the grappling exchanges, eventually securing a third-round submission victory.

After the fight, both coaches offer their thoughts on the performance of their fighters. Pettis praises Esparza's dominant ground game while Melendez notes that Hill showed a lot of heart and determination despite the loss.

The episode then shifts focus to the selection of the teams. Each coach takes turns picking fighters for their team, with Pettis winning the coin toss and getting the first pick. The coaches trade barbs and try to psych each other out as they select their teams, with Pettis ultimately selecting Esparza as his first pick and Melendez selecting Tecia Torres.

As the teams begin to train, tensions start to rise. There is a lot of trash talk and posturing as the fighters try to establish themselves as the top contenders. The coaches are active in their training, offering guidance and advice to their respective teams, and making sure that everyone is working hard.

The episode ends with an announcement from Dana White that the first official fight between Team Pettis fighter Justine Kish and Team Melendez fighter Randa Markos will take place in the next episode.

Overall, "For the Belt" is a strong start to the season. There is a lot of excitement and drama as the fighters compete to prove themselves, and the coaches provide a lot of insight into the training and preparation that goes into becoming a successful MMA fighter. The episode sets up the rest of the season nicely, with a clear focus on the competition and the stakes, and leaves viewers eager to see what happens next.