Happy Birthday to you. Happy Birthday to you. Happy Birthday Ultimate Fighter... Happy Birthday to you.

Five years ago today, sixteen relative unknowns walked through the door of what looked like a warehouse and into millions of households. Guiding them on the journey were legends Randy Couture and Chuck Liddell, along with UFC President Dana White.

Over five years and ten seasons, numerous fighters have gone from relative obscurity to unquestionable star status. The project that originated as a way to expose the behind-the-scenes lives of emerging fighters and help change the view of a sport once labeled "human cockfighting" became a worldwide phenomenon, and serves as the unmistakable moment where Mixed Martial Arts started to become what it is today - say it with me - the fastest growing sport in the world.

Five winners from the first four seasons have competed for championship gold, and a sixth would have if Season 4 Middleweight winner Travis Lutter could have made weight. Three of those five - Matt Serra, Forrest Griffin and Rashad Evans - have had the gold draped around their waists.

In addition to creating stars and putting the competitors a step ahead in the all-important task of turning themselves into a recognizable name the fans want to see, the show has advanced the sport a great deal, giving fans and skeptics an opportunity to see the dedication, hard work and training these athletes go through in pursuit of their dreams.

Instead of making this an extremely long and verbose version of "This is Your Life," I thought I would celebrate the birthday of The Ultimate Fighter by handing out some "Best and Worst" awards from over the years, and look ahead to what the future may hold for The Ultimate Fighter.

BEST SEASON: Season 1

This is one of those "no questions asked" type answers to me. While there have certainly been some entertaining seasons and quality fights from the years that followed, Season 1 is without a doubt the best of the best (love that movie) not only because of the epic finale and numerous fighters the show produced, but also because of the historical implications.

It's like how UFC 100 was unquestionably the best show of 2009; not only were the fights terrific, but it was UFC 100 - the centennial show of a company many people never thought would emerge from being forced underground.

WORST SEASON: Season 6

Oh so many reasons to look back at Season 6 and cringe. For starters, before the Rampage vs. Rashad fight was delayed by an attack of the acting bug, the coaching battle between Matt Hughes and Matt Serra was delayed by a back injury... for nearly two years.

While it's certainly not Mac Danzig's fault that he was head-and-shoulders ahead of everyone else on the show, he's often viewed as the least successful winner of The Ultimate Fighter, having compiled a 2-3 record including his finale win over Tommy Spear. Additionally, where other seasons delivered a supporting cast of fighters into the UFC, Season 6 fell came up short, with just three cast members remaining with the company today.

BEST WINNER (POPULARITY): Forrest Griffin, Season 1

Again, kind of a layup, but there is an undeniable charm to Forrest Griffin that resonated with fans from the get-go and continues today. The "aw-shucks" look combined with the "I'm not that good, but I like to fight" mentality has made Forrest Griffin a household name...