MMA Fighters You Didn’t Realize Have Been on Reality TV Shows

With Ben Davis joining Season 41 of The Challenge, it’s the perfect time to spotlight other MMA fighters who’ve stepped out of the cage and onto the television screen.

From Miesha Tate to Luke Rockhold and even Matt Schnell, fighters have made their mark in reality shows, scripted series, and stunt-heavy productions. Whether they’re winning big, making cameos, or revealing a different side of themselves, we found several TV appearances that might surprise you.

Here’s a roundup of MMA fighters featured in TV shows:

Michael Dakessian – FBoy Island

Michael Dakessian was featured on Season 1 of HBO Max’s reality dating series FBoy Island. The Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and social media personality appeared in the show’s first three episodes before being eliminated. Though his time was short-lived, Dakessian left a lasting impression with his mix of humor, intensity, and East Coast energy.

Before stepping onto the island, Dakessian made a name for himself on the regional MMA circuit. He holds a 4-2 amateur record and last competed in 2021 at CFFC 98, where he dropped a decision to Jonathan Di Lorenzo just before the show’s premiere.

Today, he owns and operates Dak BJJ while entertaining over 621,000 followers on TikTok and Instagram under the handle @dakjitsu. Dakessian is also eyeing a return to the cage and hopes to fight under the CFFC banner again soon, so stay tuned for that.

Josh Demas – Love Is Blind

Before making headlines on Season 4 of Love Is Blind in 2023, Josh Demas was a standout collegiate wrestler at Ohio State University and a four-time state placewinner in high school. He later transitioned into no-gi Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and amateur MMA, bringing the same competitive edge to each discipline.

Demas racked up a 2-1 amateur MMA record and has competed in grappling matches featured on FloGrappling. His last fight was in 2017 at Gladius Fights 29, where he suffered his first loss. Viewers of the Netflix series quickly noticed his cauliflower ears, a clear sign of his combat sports experience.

On Love Is Blind, Josh initially connected with Jackie Bonds in the pods. Although she accepted a proposal from Marshall Glaze, Josh re-entered the picture after their split and began dating Jackie. The two were together publicly for over a year before eventually going their separate ways. Throughout the season, and after, Josh was viewed by many as one of the season’s villains.

Biniyam Shibre – 90 Day Fiance

Biniyam Shibre is best known for his time on the reality television series 90 Day Fiancé. He made his debut on Season 2 of 90 Day Fiancé: The Other Way, where viewers followed his relationship with Ariela Weinberg. The two met while Ariela was traveling in Ethiopia. Their romance led to the birth of their son, Aviel, in December 2019.

Their story continued on Season 9 of 90 Day Fiancé, as they moved to the United States on a K-1 visa and eventually married. Despite their efforts to make the relationship work, they faced ongoing challenges and appeared on Season 9 of 90 Day: The Last Resort to try and salvage their marriage through therapy. Ultimately, they decided to divorce.

Since the split, Biniyam has focused on raising his son and starting a new chapter in Las Vegas. He has worked as a personal trainer and entertainer, even performing during the Super Bowl halftime show.

Beyond entertainment, Biniyam was also an amateur MMA fighter with an undefeated 4-0 record. He has trained in martial arts since childhood and once dreamed of competing in the UFC. All of his wins came by finish. His last fight was in 2022, when he knocked out Joshua Simpson in the first round at 559 Fights 93.

Janay Harding – The Traitors New Zealand

Janay Harding appeared as a contestant on The Traitors New Zealand. Known as an “alpha female” with a fierce competitive spirit, Janay wasn’t afraid to shake things up in the game. Despite her strong mindset, she was the first contestant to be “murdered” on the show.

Janay admitted she had hoped to be chosen as a “traitor,” which would have allowed her to fully unleash her competitive nature and take control of the game. Even with a short stay, Janay formed unexpectedly strong connections and identified several contestants as close allies.

Outside of reality TV, Janay was a professional MMA fighter. She currently holds a record of 6-8. She previously competed for Bellator and last fought in 2023 at Beatdown Promotions 5 in losing effort.

Matt Schnell – Caged

Before becoming a UFC flyweight, Matt Schnell made his first splash in MMA on the MTV reality series Caged. Premiering in 2012, the show followed a group of young amateur fighters from small-town Louisiana as they chased their dreams of going pro while juggling everyday life.

“Danger” stood out on the show for both his skill and charisma. His time on Caged introduced him to UFC veteran Tito Ortiz, who played a key role in helping him get signed with Legacy Fighting Championship.

The exposure helped Schnell grow not only as a fighter, but also as a personality in front of the camera. He later joined The Ultimate Fighter 24, which ultimately led to a UFC contract and a successful run in the flyweight division. Schnell is still competing in the UFC today, holding a professional record of 17-9. In April, he snapped a three-fight skid with a win over Jimmy Flick.

Although Caged drew mixed reviews from fans, it served as a valuable launchpad for Schnell and others like him. It offered a rare look into the grind of young fighters trying to break through.

Jeremiah Riggs – Love of Daisy

Jeremiah Riggs was a contestant on the VH1 reality show Daisy of Love, where he was one of 20 men competing for the affection of Daisy De La Hoya, the runner-up from Rock of Love Season 2. Known as “Big Rig” on the show, Riggs made it to fifth place. One of his most memorable moments came when he defeated fellow reality TV personality “12 Pack” in an MMA fight arranged by producers, breaking his opponent’s nose in the process.

In addition to Daisy of Love, Riggs also competed on The Ultimate Fighter and WWE’s Tough Enough. He wrapped up his MMA career with Bellator in 2013, but returned to combat sports a decade later in BKFC. Since joining bare-knuckle boxing, he’s gone 3-3, most recently competing at BKFC KnuckleMania 4 in 2024, where he suffered a loss.

Ricco Rodriguez – Celebrity Rehab

Former UFC heavyweight champion Ricco Rodriguez appeared on the first season of Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew, opening up about his battles with substance abuse. At the time, he was struggling with addictions to cocaine, marijuana, and benzodiazepines like Valium. These issues had taken a toll on both his personal life and MMA career.

His appearance on the VH1 reality series came during a difficult period. He was suspended by the California State Athletic Commission after testing positive for drugs and faced legal trouble that included resisting arrest and assaulting a cab driver. His performance in the cage had also declined, with many pointing to his addiction as a major factor.

Rodriguez joined the show to seek help and work toward regaining custody of his son. While Celebrity Rehab received criticism, it gave Ricco an opportunity to confront his problems and begin turning his life around. Since then, he has remained active in the MMA scene and has maintained his sobriety.

Michael Chandler – Total Bellas

Michael Chandler made a brief appearance on Total Bellas. He helped train The Bella Twins in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu on Season 1. The show, which premiered in October 2016, follows Nikki and Brie Bella and their family as they balance life inside and outside WWE.

In the season finale, titled “Wedding Mania,” Chandler teamed up with coach Neil Melanson to train Brie Bella in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. The session focused on helping Brie sharpen her “Yes Lock” submission ahead of her final WWE match.

This cameo came around the time Chandler was a household name in Bellator and had recently lost his title to Eddie Alvarez.

Chael Sonnen – Celebrity Apprentice

Chael Sonnen appeared as a contestant on The New Celebrity Apprentice, hosted by Arnold Schwarzenegger. Known for his creative thinking and willingness to push boundaries, he stirred controversy during the show.

In one challenge, he deliberately cut a computer wire to cause a technical difficulty, hoping to gain extra time for his team’s presentation. The tactic backfired when his teammates reported him. Schwarzenegger terminated him, sending him home early.

This wasn’t Sonnen’s first time on reality TV, as he previously served as a coach on The Ultimate Fighter: Team Jones vs. Team Sonnen. He is also currently coaching alongside Daniel Cormier on The Ultimate Fighter 33.

Over a career spanning nearly two decades, Sonnen competed in the UFC’s middleweight and light heavyweight divisions, challenging for the UFC middleweight title five times. Known for his wrestling base, sharp trash talk, and exceptional cardio, he secured notable wins over fighters like Mauricio “Shogun” Rua and Michael Bisping. Though he never captured a UFC championship, his influence extends beyond fighting as a respected analyst and commentator in the sport.

Tim Sylvia – Blind Date

Former UFC heavyweight champion Tim Sylvia appeared on the reality show Blind Date during a special “UFC Fighter Week” in November 2004. He took part in the show at the UFC’s request as part of an effort to raise public awareness of MMA.

Sylvia shared that the fighters were not paid much for their appearances. He estimated receiving around $800 from the show along with a per diem from the UFC.

The producers deliberately paired him with someone who was the complete opposite of his ideal partner. This tactic fits the show’s reputation for creating humorous and awkward dating scenarios through carefully chosen matchups and editing.

If you want to watch the episode, it’s available exclusively on our Patreon, The Scrap Sheet.

Luke Rockhold – Millionaire Matchmaker

Luke Rockhold appeared on an episode of the reality show The Millionaire Matchmaker which aired on January 22, 2015. During the episode, Rockhold went on a date with a woman named Cara but was later removed from the show after asking an inappropriate question. Rockhold later stated the question was scripted, and the editors made it look worse than intended. He also claimed to have hooked up with a co-host.

His appearance sparked controversy, with some viewers criticizing his behavior. Despite this, Rockhold went on to capture the UFC middleweight championship in December 2015.

Since leaving the UFC, Luke has competed across multiple combat sports, including BKFC, Karate Combat, and professional boxing. Most recently, he fought Darren Till at MF & DAZN X Series 22.

Bully Beatdown

Bully Beatdown was an MTV reality show hosted by Jason “Mayhem” Miller. It showcased MMA fighters taking on bullies in a cage. The concept involved victims bringing their bullies onto the show. The bullies would then face professional MMA fighters in two rounds, one grappling and one striking. If the bully survived both rounds, they won prize money; if they failed, the money went to the victims.

The show featured several fighters who later became major stars in MMA, including:

• Eddie Alvarez: Former UFC and Bellator lightweight champion, Alvarez appeared in multiple episodes, facing bullies ranging from a high school aggressor to a “Bronx gym rat.”
• Bobby Green: Known for his dynamic striking, Green fought a bully who called himself “The King.” The bully forfeited after the grappling round, awarding the prize money to the victims.
• Tyron Woodley: Before becoming UFC welterweight champion, Woodley dominated his opponent Kevin in both grappling and striking rounds on the show.
• Daniel Cormier: The two-division UFC champion faced a high school wrestler named Tyler. Years later, Cormier reconnected with Tyler, who credited the show for helping him turn his life around.
• Andrei Arlovski: Former UFC heavyweight champion, Arlovski’s appearance remains a fan favorite.
• Jake Shields: Strikeforce welterweight champion and UFC title challenger, Shields also made a memorable appearance.

Other notable fighters featured on the show include Daron Cruickshank, Michelle Waterson, Jeremy Horn, and Thomas Denny.

While some questioned the authenticity of Bully Beatdown, it undeniably provided a unique platform for MMA fighters and helped bring the sport into the mainstream spotlight.

Shane Dougherty – Got To Get Out

Shane Dougherty is an undefeated amateur MMA fighter from Massachusetts with a 5-0 record, widely regarded as one of New England’s top prospects with. He is also a late-night DJ, combining physical skill with charisma and a competitive mindset.

Shane was one of the reality rookies featured on Hulu’s competition series Got To Get Out. Hosted by Simy Liu, the reality show contestants competed to win or steal a share of a $1 million prize. He was among the 16 players who remained in the house until the end and split the final pot of $687,940, taking home $42,996.

His last fight was at Cage Titans 49 in 2021, where he submitted his opponent in under a minute. While he continues to train, it’s unclear when or if Shane will make his return to the cage.

Ethan Melisano – Cobra Kai

Ethan Melisano is a regional MMA fighter and coach who has also made a name for himself as a part-time stuntman. He appeared in Seasons 4 and 5 of the Netflix hit Cobra Kai, playing a Russian MMA fighter in the opening scene of Season 4.

His stunt work on the show earned him a nomination certificate for “Outstanding Action Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Comedy or Drama Series” at the 28th Screen Actors Guild Awards.

Beyond Cobra Kai, Melisano has worked as a stuntman on projects like the film Embattled, which focuses on a young MMA fighter and his complicated relationship with his father.

In his most recent fight, Ethan suffered his first professional loss at CFFC 127 in 2023. Check out our last interview with Ethan after his second win.

Miesha Tate – Celebrity Big Brother

Former UFC bantamweight champion Miesha Tate won the third season of Celebrity Big Brother in 2022. Throughout the show, Tate displayed a fierce competitive spirit and formed a strong alliance with Todrick Hall. She was one of three athletes competing that season, alongside former NBA player Lamar Odom and Olympic figure skater Mirai Nagasu.

Tate secured a decisive 7-1 vote to win, defeating Hall in the finale and taking home the $250,000 grand prize. She expressed surprise at the overwhelming support she received.

This wasn’t Tate’s first reality TV experience. She previously appeared on the UFC reality show The Ultimate Fighter, where she served as a coach opposite Ronda Rousey. However, she found Celebrity Big Brother to be a different kind of challenge, requiring a unique mental approach.

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