UFC has announced the full roster for the new season of The Ultimate Fighter. The men's bantamweight division includes ten fighters: 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 Mehemmedeli Osmanly (12-1) from Azerbaijan. The women's strawweight division features ten fighters: 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 Benouaiche (7-2), Hailai Wushamo (10-2), and Camila Reynoso (9-1). The roster features a diverse international lineup with several undefeated prospects.
The UFC has unveiled the full cast for the upcoming season of The Ultimate Fighter, featuring twenty fighters split across the men's bantamweight and women's strawweight divisions.
The bantamweight bracket brings together an international field of ten competitors. Among the verified entrants is Xavier Franklin, who competes out of George's MMA and Boxing Gym. Known by his nickname "Mr. Benjamin," the 29-year-old American southpaw carries a record of 5-1 into the house, standing five-foot-six with a 66-inch reach. He lands just over three significant strikes per minute and will look to make his grappling presence felt on the show. He is joined by Rodrigo Vera of Peru, Abdul Hussein of Finland, Artem Belakh representing Kazakhstan and Russia, Sean Mora of Cuba, Christian Strong and his fellow American teammate in the bracket, Marlon Jones of the United Kingdom, Mikaias Urena of the Dominican Republic, Ilimbek Akylbek uulu of Kyrgyzstan, and Mehemmedeli Osmanly of Azerbaijan.
The women's strawweight side is equally wide-ranging in its geography and experience. Natalia Alves and Melissa Amaya both enter with perfect 8-0 records, while Valeska Machado brings the most professional experience of the group at 15-4. Camila Reynoso comes in at 9-1, Hailai Wushamo at 10-2, and GiGi Canutu, Anna Melisano, and Mackenzie Stiller each carry single losses on their records. Anita Karim and Delphine Benouaiche round out the ten-fighter field.
Why it matters
- Several fighters on both sides carry undefeated or near-undefeated records, raising the overall ceiling of talent compared to past seasons
- The bantamweight cast spans at least eight countries, reflecting the UFC's continued push to develop international prospects
- Two strawweight fighters enter completely unbeaten at 8-0, setting up potentially high-stakes early matchups in the bracket
