Every season of The Ultimatum manages to astound me. I’m shocked by how young some of these girlies are as they complain about “still” not being married— you’re 22, go do a body shot. I’m shocked by how quickly couples adapt to their new partner and the way they’ll freely take it as a hall pass. But most of all, I’m shocked that any of them actually get engaged by the end of it!!! My own [strong] feelings aside, this was a wild, wild ride of a season. Two couples dipped three days into the experiment, one contestant broke down before us and got a spontaneous tattoo, and one man defied all boundaries of passive aggressiveness— yeah, you, Scotty. Nevertheless, we persisted, and season 3 of The Ultimatum has thankfully come to an end. Here’s everything that happened in the finale episode, including which of The Ultimatum’s couples got engaged or broke up.

What happened to all of the couples in season 3 of The Ultimatum?

Sandy and J.R.

We got a lil preview of these two meeting up at the end of the last episode—scandalous! Many of us wondered if this would be another case of Rae and Jake from season 2. Sandy and J.R. shared the most connection of any trial marriage, as well as some sneaky kisses. Both claimed to be still committed to their original relationships, but actions and words said otherwise. J.R. often felt that Nick ruined their time together as he struggled to let go and continued to message Sandy.

The pair meet up, and J.R. immediately compliments Sandy’s outfit. The chemistry is still popping off. But the two of them make it clear that only a friendship will persist from here as they are choosing their partners. However, there is a little unspoken “What if…” in my humble opinion. The two then depart, not engaged or even dating.

At the reunion, it is revealed that J.R. and Sandy have been in contact but haven’t dated. It is also questioned whether three kisses are all that transpired between them, or if they got down to it… Sandy also seems very hurt by the footage revealing that J.R. said he had a “hall pass,” so maybe there’s more to it.

Zaina and J.R.

Okay, J.R. dealt with his trial partner; now time for his real one! These two had been dating for three years, and Zaina wanted to move on to the next step. Most of J.R.’s hesitation came from his previous divorce and not wanting a second failed marriage.

The two meet, and J.R. keeps yapping away. He tells her that he thinks she’d make “a fantastic wife [and] mother,” and you can see the cartoon hearts in Zaina’s eyes. Girlie is so ready for him to stop talking and pull out a ring.

But then things get a lil awkward, and J.R. tells her, “I don’t think I’m at that point to give you what you deserve.” Zaina is HURT and makes as much clear.

At the reunion, they reveal that they moved out after the show… to apartments across the street, lol. Zaina insists they spent Christmas together, swapped gifts, and still tried to work on things. J.R. claims that they were broken up, and Zaina just wouldn’t let go. Ruh roh, there’s some conflicting information here. But I’m sure Zaina has the receipts on her nail QR code!!!

Given that JR proudly told female contestants, “I’m not seeking sex out of this experience, but I do like challenges,” and “I like a good blow job with the vibrator,” I don’t think people are too surprised to learn that this couple is not engaged, or even dating. According to J.R. that door is still open, but Zaina basically told him to SHUT THE DAMN DOOR.

Sandy and Nick

Let’s move on to the other side of our menage-a-square with Sandy and Nick. The pair has a 10-year age gap, and Nick felt ready to settle down, while Sandy seemed overwhelmed by the commitment. As we know, Sandy and J.R. had a very pleasant trial marriage. Nick, meanwhile, got ditched by Vanessa with no context, so he struggled through the experience on his own. Most notably, he got the wrong tattoo and ended up matching J.R. — literally, I can’t even.

Sandy greets Nick with “Hi, honey” and a kiss. The pair discuss their journey and feelings, and Sandy admits she is scared of marriage but also sees it as “a beautiful thing.” They reinstate their love for each other, and all is going well until Nick reaches into his jacket pocket. Sandy immediately asks, “What are you doing?” Nick notices her panicked expression and stops reaching.

Now, here’s where it gets interesting. At the time, viewers and Sandy assume he is reaching for a ring box to propose. The conversation that follows seems to confirm this, as Nick ends things by saying that “if you don’t know by now,” then it’s over. He sadly states that he “deserve[s] someone who is 100%.” But in the reunion, Nick claims that he didn’t have a ring or plan to propose then and was reaching for a piece of paper where he had written his feelings down. But Sandy’s “visceral reaction” said enough to him.

After the show, the pair apparently dated briefly, and then Nick agreed to get some help for his heavy drinking. A week into his recovery, the pair broke up and have stayed broken up. Sandy claimed she wanted an engagement or breakup, nothing in between. Their emotional and physical distance at the reunion confirmed that these two are very over. In the words of Meredith Grey at Cristina’s wedding, “It’s so over.”

Mariah and Caleb

Caleb had been hesitant to marry Mariah as she’s only 24 (he’s 29), and he felt she couldn’t be certain about him. But girlie wanted to get married NOW. Caleb had a peaceful and amicable trial marriage with Aria, while Mariah got ditched by Micah and went on a solo self-love journey.

Can we take a minute for Mariah’s outfit in the finale? *chef’s kiss*. Okay, so our calm, self-help reading girlie comes in, and the pair go in for a kiss. At this point, I figured if he ended the relationship after that greeting, he would be scum on the bottom of a pond.

But have no fear, viewers. The pair agree that each other has grown over this experience, and they declare each other to be their best friend. Mariah sticks to her ultimatum that they’re getting engaged or breaking up. Caleb asks her to hold his hand as he reads his prepared speech, including, “It scares me, as some days you love me more than I love myself (sorry, I think I’ve got something in my eye, excuse me for a minute). He rounds it off with, “If you are ready, can we begin forever?” before getting down on one knee.

OBVIOUSLY MARIAH SAYS YES!!! At the reunion, the pair revealed that they are still engaged and planning on a 2026 destination wedding. The wedding planner is booked, y’all!!!

Aria and Scotty

Last, and sorry but least, we’ve got Aria and Scotty. This was the second case of a man issuing the ultimatum this season, and no one knew how Aria would respond in the end— perhaps even herself. She really got on with her trial hubby, Caleb, and insisted there was an emotional connection he wasn’t confronting. Scotty initially vibed with Zaina, until differences in opinion led to some rough arguments.

Immediately I have a bad feeling as they are both dressed in red, but different shades! It clashed!!! Scotty admits that he issued an ultimatum for “the wrong reasons, maybe out of fear” and apologizes for some of his many crimes. Aria also discusses her many compromises for him, and that she feels she never gave him enough trust. They both confirm their love for one another.

Scotty proposes, but despite an initial smile, Aria clearly hesitates. She finally manages to whine a strained, “Yeah-yes, yes.” The couple hugs and in the car afterward, Aria seems to examine her new engagement ring with shock.

The couple left the show engaged, but did they stay that way? At the reunion, Aria reveals that the engagement lasted one single day. Aria called it off at the thought of telling her family and friends. The couple dated for a while and tried couple’s therapy, but ultimately broke up. This was also the result of several unfortunate and upsetting circumstances in their personal life.

Aria and Scotty are no longer engaged, or even dating.