Craig Piligian: A Pioneer in Unscripted Television, UFC Hall of Fame Inductee

Las Vegas – UFC right now introduced that Emmy® Award-winning producer and unscripted tv pioneer Craig Piligian shall be inducted into the UFC Corridor of Fame’s Contributor Wing as a member of the Class of 2025. The 2025 UFC Corridor of Fame Induction Ceremony will happen this summer time in Las Vegas and shall be streamed dwell on UFC FIGHT PASS®.

“Craig Piligian is likely one of the most influential and revered executives within the historical past of tv,” mentioned UFC President & CEO Dana White. “Craig was instrumental in shaping The Final Fighter into some of the vital unscripted tv exhibits in sports activities and serving to make UFC a worldwide phenomenon. It is going to be an honor to induct him into the UFC Corridor of Fame this summer time.”

Born in Detroit, Michigan, Piligian’s tv profession started within the information sector as an project editor at Las Vegas ABC affiliate KTNV. After coming into the burgeoning programming area through his manufacturing work within the early 1990’s with Emergency Name and Actual Tales of the Freeway Patrol, Piligian based Pilgrim Movies & Tv (now Pilgrim Media Group) in 1997, and broke new floor as one of many authentic govt producers of CBS’ iconic competitors sequence Survivor, the place he captured a Primetime Emmy for Excellent Non-Fiction Program in 2001.

In 2004, Piligian met with White and former UFC CEO Lorenzo Fertitta to debate an unscripted tv sequence aimed toward showcasing and selling the group’s model and 16 athletes residing collectively in a home whereas competing for a six-figure contract with UFC. The present could be referred to as The Final Fighter®.

Piligian joined White, Lorenzo and Frank Fertitta III as co-creators of the present, which debuted on January 17, 2005, on Spike TV. Produced by Piligian’s Pilgrim Media Group, the unique construction of the present featured one or two weight courses competing in a event with two rival head coaches dealing with off throughout an upcoming occasion.

The season one finale made the sequence a worldwide hit and launched UFC to followers around the globe, because it culminated within the historic finale battle between former UFC gentle heavyweight champion Forrest Griffin and Stephan Bonnar. The sequence is now seen as an iconic hit that many, together with White, credit score with revitalizing UFC’s enterprise and the game of blended martial arts.

Now, after 32 predominant seasons, 10 worldwide seasons, and almost 500 episodes, The Final Fighter has additionally launched a big selection of followers – from die-hard to model new – to UFC and served as a springboard for the careers of quite a few fighters who went on to be UFC champions, contenders and stars, together with: Kamaru Usman, Tony Ferguson, TJ Dillashaw, Rose Namajunas, Michael Bisping, Nate Diaz, Rashad Evans, and Conor McGregor, who served as a coach throughout TUF seasons 22 and 31.

Throughout his profession, Piligian has served as a producer on greater than 140 tasks and been related to a number of the most profitable tv sequence throughout a variety of networks together with CBS, ABC, Spike, Lifetime, OWN, CMT, Nationwide Geographic Channel, Discovery and extra.

Piligian created and produced American Chopper, a actuality sequence that explored the world of customized motorbike fabrication, and the Emmy-nominated Soiled Jobs, which highlighted quite a few difficult professions throughout the US. He’s additionally credited with launching a number of extra profitable franchises akin to Quick N’ Loud, My Honest Wedding ceremony with David Tutera, Depraved Tuna, Avenue Outlaws, High Shot, Ghost Hunters, and the NAACP Picture Award-winning Welcome to Sweetie Pie’s.

Piligian has additionally expanded into producing award-winning documentary sequence and options; celeb discuss exhibits; scripted content material; and sports activities and eSports tasks.

In 2021, Piligian was appointed because the President of Lionsgate Nonfiction Tv whereas concurrently serving as CEO of Pilgrim Media Group.

Most not too long ago, he was named the Managing Director of Lionsgate’s new Various Tv Division in January 2024. The brand new division mixed Pilgrim Media Group with eOne, Blackfin, Renegade and Daisybeck Studios unscripted manufacturers.

In 2012, Piligian ranked 18th on “50 Most Highly effective Listing” by The Hollywood Reporter, and in 2015 he was inducted into the Realscreen Corridor of Fame. In 2016, Piligian was named the first-ever Producer of the 12 months by Broadcast & Cable Journal, and Innovator of the 12 months by Subsequent TV Summit. He resides in California along with his spouse, Lucinda.

Roberto Villa is the CEO, Founder, Government Author, Senior Editor of FightBook MMA. Has a ardour for Fight Sports activities and likewise a podcast host for Sitting Ringside. He’s additionally a former MMA fighter and Kickboxer.