Jordan Wiseley and Camila Nakagawa took the top spots. They won. It wasn't easy, and honestly, it was one of the most grueling finals the MTV franchise ever filmed. People still talk about it because the stakes felt higher back then. $1,000,000 on the line. That's life-changing money. Before that season, the prize pools were decent, but Dirty 30 (officially The Challenge: XXX) shifted the gear into high-stakes reality sports.
If you’re looking for the short answer to who wins Dirty 30, it’s Jordan for the men and Camila for the women. But that doesn't even begin to cover the insanity of how they got there. Jordan crashed a plane—well, a skydive—and busted his leg. Camila was embroiled in massive controversy. The "Dirty" theme wasn't just a marketing gimmick; it was a literal description of the gameplay, the betrayals, and the Redemption House twists that kept players like CT and Cara Maria kicking around long after they should’ve been home.
The Brutal Path to the Finish Line in Salta
The final was a nightmare. Set in the high altitudes of Salta, Argentina, the remaining players—Jordan, Derrick Kosinski, CT Tamburello, Camila, Cara Maria Sorbello, and Tori Deal—had to endure things that would break a normal person. We’re talking about racing through salt flats and scaling mountains while oxygen is scarce.
Jordan’s win is legendary because of the skydiving accident. During the jump to start the final, he landed hard. Really hard. He basically shattered his leg but didn't tell anyone the full extent of the injury because he knew the medics would pull him. He ran that entire multi-day final with a hairline fracture. Watching him outpace Derrick, who is a cardio machine, was one of those "how is he doing this?" moments. Derrick stayed on his heels the whole time, though. It came down to the puzzles and the consistency across different stages. CT, usually a frontrunner, struggled significantly with the altitude and the sheer amount of distance running involved.
On the women's side, it was a three-way battle of titans. Tori Deal was a rookie back then. Can you believe that? She walked onto a season called Dirty 30 and made it to the final against two of the greatest to ever do it. Cara Maria was the heavy favorite, but Camila was in a different headspace. Despite the bridge-burning she did in the house, her "Camilanator" persona translated into a raw, terrifying pace during the final. She beat Cara and Tori by being relentless in the individual stages.
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Why the Dirty 30 Winner Reveal Was So Weird
Usually, TJ Lavin tells them who won right there on the mountain. Not this time. MTV decided to wait. They dragged it out for months until the reunion special in New York. The finalists had to sit there, staring at each other, knowing they might have a six-figure check coming or absolutely nothing.
When the results finally dropped:
- Jordan Wiseley ($450,000)
- Derrick Kosinski ($35,000)
- CT Tamburello ($15,000)
And for the women:
- Camila Nakagawa ($450,000)
- Cara Maria Sorbello ($35,000)
- Tori Deal ($15,000)
The pay gap between first and second place was massive. It created a "winner takes almost all" dynamic that changed how people played the game in later seasons like Vendettas and Final Reckoning. If you weren't first, you were basically just getting an appearance fee.
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The Redemption House Factor
You can't discuss who wins Dirty 30 without acknowledging the Redemption House. It was the most "dirty" part of the format. Jordan actually got sent there! He was eliminated and had to fight his way back into the main house. Most fans forget that the eventual winner of the whole season was technically "out" at one point. It proved that the format favored those who could stay mentally sharp while living in a house with no TV, no phones, and people they hated for weeks on end.
The Redemption House also gave us the iconic CT and Cara Maria return. They were blindsided by the "Double Cross" (that cursed velvet bag with the silver crosses) and sent away. Most seasons, that’s a wrap. Here, it was just a pit stop.
The Fallout and the Legacy of the Winners
The aftermath was messy. Camila's victory is often overshadowed by her behavior during the season, specifically a racially charged outburst toward Leroy Garrett. It was a dark moment for the show. While she won the money, she was essentially banned from the franchise shortly after due to further incidents on Champs vs. Stars. She hasn't been back since.
Jordan, on the other hand, used Dirty 30 to cement his status as the "GOAT" in many people's eyes. To win against a prime CT and a gritty Derrick with a broken leg? That’s movie script stuff. It changed the way the "Greatest of All Time" conversation happened. Before Dirty 30, people argued for Bananas or CT. After Dirty 30, you had to put Jordan in that top three.
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What Actually Made the Difference?
It wasn't just strength. It was the "Dirty" play.
- Betrayals: Players were forced to burn votes on their best friends.
- The Double Cross: Pure luck played a huge role. You could be the best athlete and still go home because someone pulled a piece of metal out of a bag.
- The Altitude: Salta is nearly 4,000 feet above sea level. Your lungs burn. Your brain fogs up. Jordan and Camila handled the lack of oxygen better than the others.
Honestly, the season was a turning point. It moved The Challenge away from being a "party show with some games" into a legitimate "fifth sport." The production value skyrocketed. The prizes became life-altering.
Takeaway Lessons from the Dirty 30 Final
If you’re a fan of the show or a prospective reality competitor, Dirty 30 offers a blueprint on how to actually win. First, never count yourself out. Jordan was in the Redemption House and had a broken leg. He still won $450,000. Second, the social game is secondary to the final. Camila had almost no allies left by the end, but the clock doesn't care if people like you.
To see how the winners have fared since, check out the All Stars spin-offs on Paramount+, where many of these legends return. If you're re-watching, pay close attention to the Stage 2 puzzles in the final; that’s where Jordan really pulled away from Derrick. It's a masterclass in staying calm when your body is screaming at you to quit.
Moving forward, keep an eye on how the "Total Madness" and "World Championship" formats evolved from this specific point in 2017. The DNA of the modern Challenge started right here in the salt flats of Argentina.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Watch the Reunion: If you want to see the raw emotion of the reveal, the Dirty 30 reunion is essential viewing for the look on Tori's face when she realizes she got third.
- Track the Stats: Look up Jordan’s elimination record following this season; his confidence skyrocketed after the Salta win.
- Compare the Prize Pools: Contrast these winnings with earlier seasons like The Gauntlet to see how the "Dirty" era inflated the economy of reality TV.