Utah MMA fighter takes on ‘Ultimate Ninja Challenge’ — and, no, it doesn’t involve teenage mutant turtles or obstacle courses

Utah MMA fighter Josh Tyler took on TV’s “Ultimate Ninja Challenge” — and it’s not what you might think. It definitely does not involve any teenagers, any mutants or any turtles.

“Our modern-day culture has painted ninjitsu as in this weird light of turtles and pizza — kind of this really hokey silliness, right?” Tyler said. “And the reality is it was a very serious occupation. These guys were very much like our modern-day special forces.”

The “Ultimate Ninja Challenge,” which premieres Sunday night on Discovery, is also very different from the similarly titled “American Ninja Warrior,” which features competitors attempting to complete a series of increasingly difficult obstacle courses.