The UFC has announced the complete lineup for the upcoming season of The Ultimate Fighter reality show. The men's bantamweight division will feature ten fighters 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 will include ten fighters: Natalia Alves (8-0), Melissa Amaya (8-0), Valeska Machado (15-4), GiGi Canutu (7-1), Anna Melisano (6-1), MacKenzie Stiller (6-1), Anita Karim (6-2), Delphine Benouaiche (7-2), Hailay Wushamo (10-2), and Camila Reynoso (9-1). The roster represents fighters from multiple countries including Peru, Finland, Kazakhstan, Russia, United States, Cuba, Great Britain, Dominican Republic, Kyrgyzstan, and Azerbaijan.
The UFC has revealed the full cast for the upcoming season of The Ultimate Fighter, bringing together twenty fighters across two divisions for the storied reality competition series.
The men's bantamweight bracket features ten competitors: 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). Among them is American southpaw Xavier Franklin, who fights out of George's MMA and Boxing Gym. The 29-year-old stands five-foot-six with a 66-inch reach and lands just over three significant strikes per minute. Known as "Mr. Benjamin," Franklin carries a 5-1 record into the house.
The women's strawweight side is equally competitive, featuring Natalia Alves (8-0), Melissa Amaya (8-0), Valeska Machado (15-4), GiGi Canutu (7-1), Anna Melisano (6-1), MacKenzie Stiller (6-1), Anita Karim (6-2), Delphine Benouaiche (7-2), Hailay Wushamo (10-2), and Camila Reynoso (9-1). The strawweight field boasts two undefeated fighters in Alves and Amaya, while Machado brings by far the most professional experience of the group at 15-4.
Why it matters
- The roster draws talent from Peru, Finland, Kazakhstan, Russia, the United States, Cuba, Great Britain, the Dominican Republic, Kyrgyzstan, and Azerbaijan, reflecting the UFC's continued push for global scouting.
- Two undefeated strawweights headline a women's division with genuine depth, setting up high-stakes matchups from the opening round.
- Several bantamweights carry records above ten wins, raising the overall experience level well above recent TUF seasons.
