The full roster for the new season of The Ultimate Fighter has been revealed, featuring competitors in men's bantamweight and women's strawweight divisions. The bantamweight division includes ten fighters: Rodrigo Vera from Peru (21-1-1), Abdul Hussein from Finland (15-2), Artem Belakh from Kazakhstan/Russia (11-2), Xavier Franklin from the USA (6-1), Sean Mora from Cuba (7-1), Christian Strong from the USA (9-1), Marlon Jones from Great Britain (6-0), Mikaias Ureña from Dominican Republic (13-3), Illimbek Akylbek uulu from Kyrgyzstan (10-3), and Mekhemmedeli Osmanly from Azerbaijan (12-1). The women's strawweight division features ten 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), Hailey Vushamo (10-2), and Camila Reinoso (9-1).
The UFC has unveiled the full cast for its newest season of The Ultimate Fighter, revealing twenty fighters who will compete across the men's bantamweight and women's strawweight divisions.
The ten-man bantamweight field brings together a geographically diverse group of contenders. Among them is American Xavier Franklin, known as "Mr. Benjamin," who enters the house at 29 years old with a professional record of 5-1. The southpaw trains out of George's MMA and Boxing Gym and stands five-foot-six with a 66-inch reach. He lands 3.07 significant strikes per minute, though his striking accuracy sits at 33 percent. Joining Franklin in the bantamweight bracket are 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 USA (9-1), Marlon Jones of Great Britain (6-0), Mikaias Ureña of the Dominican Republic (13-3), Illimbek Akylbek uulu of Kyrgyzstan (10-3), and Mekhemmedeli Osmanly of Azerbaijan (12-1).
The women's strawweight cast is equally competitive, featuring two undefeated fighters leading the way. Natalia Alves and Melissa Amaya both enter with unblemished 8-0 records, while Valeska Machado brings the most experience in the division at 15-4. The remaining competitors are GiGi Canuto (7-1), Anna Melisano (6-1), Mackenzie Stiller (6-1), Camila Reinoso (9-1), Delphine Benoist (7-2), Hailey Vushamo (10-2), and Anita Karim (6-2).
Why it matters
- The bantamweight cast spans four continents, signaling the UFC's continued push to expand its global talent pipeline through the TUF format.
- Two strawweight fighters enter undefeated at 8-0, raising the competitive ceiling in that bracket considerably.
- A UFC contract awaits the winners of each division, making roster spots in both brackets meaningful stepping stones toward the main roster.
