The complete roster for the new season of The Ultimate Fighter has been revealed, featuring two divisions. The men's bantamweight bracket includes Rodrigo Vera (21-1-1) from Peru, Abdul Hussein (15-2) from Finland, Artem Belakh (11-2) from Kazakhstan/Russia, Xavier Franklin (6-1) from USA, Sean Mora (7-1) from Cuba, Christian Strong (9-1) from USA, Marlon Jones (6-0) from UK, Mikaias Urena (13-3) from Dominican Republic, Ilimbek Akylbek uulu (10-3) from Kyrgyzstan, and Mekhemmedeli Osmanli (12-1) from Azerbaijan. The women's atomweight division features 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 Benoist (7-2), Hailai Wushamo (10-2), and Camila Reynoso (9-1). The roster includes fighters from multiple countries and several undefeated prospects.
The complete cast for the upcoming season of The Ultimate Fighter has been officially announced, with two divisions set to compete for contracts — men's bantamweight and women's atomweight.
The men's bantamweight bracket brings together ten fighters from across the globe. Among them is American Xavier Franklin, known as "Mr. Benjamin," who enters the competition at 29 years old out of George's MMA and Boxing Gym. The southpaw stands five-foot-six with a 66-inch reach and carries a 5-1 record into the house. He averages 3.07 significant strikes per minute, though his striking accuracy sits at 33 percent. Joining him are Rodrigo Vera of Peru, Abdul Hussein of Finland, Artem Belakh representing Kazakhstan and Russia, Sean Mora of Cuba, Christian Strong and Xavier Franklin of the United States, Marlon Jones of the United Kingdom, Mikaias Urena of the Dominican Republic, Ilimbek Akylbek uulu of Kyrgyzstan, and Mekhemmedeli Osmanli of Azerbaijan.
The women's atomweight division marks a notable inclusion, as the weight class does not currently exist on the main UFC roster. Ten competitors will vie for recognition in that bracket: Natalia Alves, Melissa Amaya, Valeska Machado, GiGi Canutu, Anna Melisano, Mackenzie Stiller, Anita Karim, Delphine Benoist, Hailai Wushamo, and Camila Reynoso. Both Alves and Amaya enter with perfect 8-0 records, while Machado brings the most professional experience of the group at 15-4.
Why it matters
- The roster spans more than ten countries, reflecting the continued international expansion of the TUF format
- Several fighters on both sides enter undefeated, raising the competitive stakes in the bracket rounds
- The women's atomweight division adds a weight class not currently active in the UFC, making the season's outcome potentially significant for the division's future on the roster
