The complete lineup for the new season of The Ultimate Fighter has been revealed, featuring 10 bantamweight men and 10 strawweight women. The men's bantamweight division 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 the USA, Sean Mora (7-1) from Cuba, Christian Strong (9-1) from the USA, Marlon Jones (6-0) from the UK, Mikaias Ureña (13-3) from the Dominican Republic, Illimbek Akylbek uulu (10-3) from Kyrgyzstan, and Mehemedeli Osmanli (12-1) from Azerbaijan. The women's strawweight division features competitors including 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 Benoist (7-2), Hailai Vushamo (10-2), and Camila Reynoso (9-1). The season represents significant international diversity with fighters from countries across multiple continents.
The Ultimate Fighter returned with its most internationally diverse roster in recent memory, as the complete cast for the new season was unveiled on April 15, featuring 20 fighters split across two divisions.
The men's bantamweight contingent brings together 10 fighters from across the globe, including Rodrigo Vera (21-1-1) from Peru, Abdul Hussein (15-2) from Finland, Artem Belakh (11-2) from Kazakhstan and Russia, Sean Mora (7-1) from Cuba, Christian Strong (9-1) and Xavier Franklin from the United States, Marlon Jones (6-0) from the United Kingdom, Mikaias Ureña (13-3) from the Dominican Republic, Illimbek Akylbek uulu (10-3) from Kyrgyzstan, and Mehemedeli Osmanli (12-1) from Azerbaijan. Franklin, who competes under the nickname "Mr. Benjamin," enters the house at 29 years old representing George's MMA and Boxing Gym. The southpaw stands five-foot-six with a 66-inch reach and carries a verified record of 5-1, averaging 3.07 significant strikes landed per minute.
The women's strawweight side is equally competitive, featuring two unbeaten fighters in Natalia Alves (8-0) and Melissa Amaya (8-0) alongside experienced prospects such as Valeska Machado (15-4), Hailai Vushamo (10-2), and Camila Reynoso (9-1). GiGi Canuto (7-1), Anna Melisano (6-1), Mackenzie Stiller (6-1), Anita Karim (6-2), and Delphine Benoist (7-2) round out the women's cast.
Why it matters
- Ten countries are represented across the two divisions, spanning South America, Europe, Central Asia, and the Caribbean.
- Both strawweight unbeaten fighters, Alves and Amaya, will face early pressure to protect their records under the TUF spotlight.
- The bantamweight men's division features several fighters with significant professional experience, led by Vera's 23-fight record, setting up competitive matchups from the opening round.
