The complete lineup for the upcoming season of The Ultimate Fighter has been revealed, featuring competitors in men's bantamweight and women's strawweight divisions. The men's bantamweight roster includes ten fighters from various countries including Rodrigo Vera (Peru, 21-1-1), Abdul Hussein (Finland, 15-2), Artem Belakh (Kazakhstan/Russia, 11-2), Xavier Franklin (USA, 6-1), Sean Mora (Cuba, 7-1), Christian Strong (USA, 9-1), Marlon Jones (UK, 6-0), Mikaias Ureña (Dominican Republic, 13-3), Illimbek Akylbek uulu (Kyrgyzstan, 10-3), and Mehemedeli Osmanly (Azerbaijan, 12-1). The women's strawweight division features ten fighters including 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 Benouaich (7-2), Hailai Wushamo (10-2), and Camila Reynoso (9-1). The season features significant international representation from CIS countries and around the world.
The complete roster for the upcoming season of The Ultimate Fighter has been revealed, with twenty fighters set to compete across the men's bantamweight and women's strawweight divisions.
The men's bantamweight field brings together competitors from across the globe. Among them is Xavier Franklin, known as "Mr. Benjamin," a 29-year-old southpaw from the United States who trains out of George's MMA and Boxing Gym. Franklin enters the house carrying a 5-1 record, landing strikes at a rate of 3.07 per minute. He is joined by Rodrigo Vera of Peru (21-1-1), Abdul Hussein of Finland (15-2), Artem Belakh representing Kazakhstan and Russia (11-2), Sean Mora of Cuba (7-1), Christian Strong of the United States (9-1), Marlon Jones of the United Kingdom (6-0), Mikaias Ureña of the Dominican Republic (13-3), Illimbek Akylbek uulu of Kyrgyzstan (10-3), and Mehemedeli Osmanly of Azerbaijan (12-1).
The women's strawweight bracket is equally competitive and international in scope. The ten-fighter field includes 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 Benouaich (7-2), Hailai Wushamo (10-2), and Camila Reynoso (9-1).
Why it matters
- The bantamweight roster features several veterans with records above ten wins, raising the competitive ceiling of the house
- The women's field includes two undefeated fighters at 8-0 in Alves and Amaya, setting up potential early marquee matchups
- Strong CIS-region representation across both divisions signals the UFC's continued global scouting reach
- Multiple fighters on both rosters carry single-digit loss counts, suggesting a high overall level of experience entering the competition
