After overtraining in first UFC stint, Hayder Hassan relished second chance on 'TUF 25'

“The Ultimate Fighter” returns on Wednesday with a new season with a special theme: “Redemption.”

The show is filled with fighters who once appeared on it – even some past winners. But after some tumbles for some, they’re getting another chance at greatness on the show with a $250,000 prize at the end.

Hayder Hassan is one of those fighters. He reached the finals on Season 21 of the show, which featured his American Top Team teammates against fighters from the rival Blackzilians camp in South Florida.

Hassan was submitted by Kamaru Usman at the TUF 21 Finale, then lost to Vicente Luque later in 2015. The back-to-back setbacks got him released by the UFC, but with “TUF 25: Redemption,” he was given a shot to get back to the elite levels of MMA.

“My biggest problem was overtraining, and when I would overtrain, it took away from my athleticism,” Hassan recently told MMAjunkie of his two losses in the UFC. “Those guys are very talented fighters, and you have to bring your ‘A’ game. When I fought them in the UFC, I didn’t bring my ‘A’ game and they were able to capitalize on it.

“But everything happens for a reason. I always believe that God has a plan. So when I did get released, it was just refocus, regroup, get back in the gym … I knew I would get another opportunity, and I wanted to make sure I would shine.”

What will “TUF 25” have in store for Hassan? Check out the video above to hear more from him.

Then don’t miss the season’s debut episode on Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET on FS1. And watch MMAjunkie for weekly recaps of each episode, as well as video recaps featuring fighters and coaches the day after each episode.

And for more on the UFC’s upcoming schedule, stay tuned to the UFC Rumors section of the site.