The UFC has announced the complete lineup for the new season of The Ultimate Fighter. The men's bantamweight division features ten competitors including Rodrigo Vera (21-1-1), Abdul Hussein (15-2), Artem Belakh (11-2), Xavier Franklin (6-1), Sean Mora (7-1), Christian Strong (9-1), Marlon Jones (6-0), Mikaias Ureña (13-3), Illimbek Akylbek uulu (10-3), and Mekhemmedeli Osmanly (12-1). The women's strawweight division includes Natalia Alves (8-0), Melissa Amaya (8-0), Valeska Machado (15-4), GiGi Canuto (7-1), Anna Melisano (6-1), Mackenzie Stiller (6-1), Anita Karim (6-2), Delphine Benouaich (7-2), Hailay Wushamo (10-2), and Camila Reynoso (9-1). The cast represents fighters from various countries and includes several undefeated prospects.
The UFC has unveiled the full cast for the upcoming season of The Ultimate Fighter, with ten men competing in the bantamweight division and ten women vying for supremacy at strawweight.
On the men's side, the bantamweight bracket brings together a diverse group of fighters with strong regional records. Among them is American prospect Xavier Franklin, who competes out of George's MMA and Boxing Gym and enters the house carrying a 5-1 record at 29 years old. The southpaw stands five-foot-six with a 66-inch reach and has shown active hands in his career, averaging 3.07 significant strikes landed per minute. He will be joined by Rodrigo Vera (21-1-1), Abdul Hussein (15-2), Artem Belakh (11-2), Sean Mora (7-1), Christian Strong (9-1), Marlon Jones (6-0), Mikaias Ureña (13-3), Illimbek Akylbek uulu (10-3), and Mekhemmedeli Osmanly (12-1), a group that collectively brings considerable experience from competition around the globe.
The women's strawweight cast is headlined by two undefeated fighters at the top of the record charts. Natalia Alves and Melissa Amaya both enter the competition with perfect 8-0 marks, while Valeska Machado brings the most professional experience of the group at 15-4. Rounding out the bracket are GiGi Canuto (7-1), Anna Melisano (6-1), Mackenzie Stiller (6-1), Anita Karim (6-2), Delphine Benouaich (7-2), Hailay Wushamo (10-2), and Camila Reynoso (9-1).
Why it matters
- Several undefeated prospects in both divisions make this among the more talent-rich TUF casts in recent memory
- A UFC contract awaits the winners, offering immediate entry into two of the promotion's most competitive weight classes
- The international makeup of both rosters should produce a wide variety of styles and strategic matchups throughout the competition
