The complete roster 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 bracket includes 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), Ilimbek Akylbek uulu (10-3), and Mekhemmedi Osmanly (12-1). The women's strawweight division features Natalia Alves (8-0), Melissa Amaya (8-0), Valeska Machado (15-4), JiJi Kanutu (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 includes fighters from various countries including representatives from Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Azerbaijan.
The complete 20-fighter roster for the upcoming season of The Ultimate Fighter has been unveiled, with the show set to feature men's bantamweight and women's strawweight brackets.
The men's bantamweight division brings together ten competitors carrying a combined wealth of professional experience. Among them, Rodrigo Vera enters at 21-1-1, while Mekhemmedi Osmanly carries a 12-1 record and Mikaias Ureña checks in at 13-3. Abdul Hussein (15-2), Artem Belakh (11-2), and Ilimbek Akylbek uulu (10-3) round out the more seasoned entries, joined by Christian Strong (9-1), Sean Mora (7-1), and a pair of unbeaten prospects in Marlon Jones (6-0) and Xavier Franklin. Franklin, known as "Mr. Benjamin," competes out of George's MMA and Boxing Gym in the United States. The 29-year-old southpaw stands five-foot-six with a 66-inch reach and holds a verified record of 5-1, landing strikes at a rate of 3.07 significant strikes per minute.
The women's strawweight field is headlined by two undefeated fighters in Natalia Alves and Melissa Amaya, both entering at 8-0. Valeska Machado is the most experienced competitor in the bracket at 15-4, while Camila Reynoso (9-1) and Hailay Wushamo (10-2) also bring notable records. JiJi Kanutu (7-1), Anna Melisano (6-1), Mackenzie Stiller (6-1), Anita Karim (6-2), and Delphine Benouaich (7-2) complete the division.
Why it matters
- The cast spans multiple continents, with fighters from Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Azerbaijan adding international depth to both brackets.
- Both divisions feature a mix of unbeaten prospects and battle-tested veterans, setting up competitive contrast inside the house.
- Bantamweight and strawweight are active, talent-rich UFC divisions, meaning strong performances could carry significant career implications for the entire field.
