Under a new name (“TUF: Live”) a new scheme (live fights) and under a new network (FX) the UFC is ready to launch a new era of The Ultimate Fighter reality series!
Today, FOX-network officials announced the names of the 32 lightweights that will be competing for the lucrative 6-figure UFC contract and the right to be called The Next Ultimate Fighter!
“TUF 15: Live” is scheduled to kickoff Friday, March 9th 2012 with 16 live elimination bouts, and as usual, only the winners will become official cast members. The very first episode will be a two-and-a-half-hour show beginning at 9 PM ET, but the remainder of the show will air at 10 PM ET (*It’s worth noting that a delayed version of the live portion of the show will air for those on the West Coast*).
“We’re producing groundbreaking television with ‘The Ultimate Fighter Live,’ and we can’t wait to kick this season off with FX,” UFC President Dana White said in a press release. “It’s going to be can’t-miss TV.”
Unlike past seasons, TUF 15 will be shot over a period of thirteen weeks, with each fight being filmed and edited the week right before each episode airs. The coaches will be reining UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz and No.1 contender Urijah Faber.
“Dominick Cruz and Urijah Faber are two amazing guys who also happen to be two of the best fighters in the world,” White added. “They genuinely dislike each other, and I expect this to make for the best season yet.”
The TUF 15 Finale takes place on Friday, June 1st 2012 and these bitter rivals will meet shortly thereafter in what should be a highly entertaining rubber match, with the 135-pound title on the line. UFC 148: Faber vs Cruz is expected to take place on Saturday July 7, 2012, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
“The belt’s one thing, but the other thing is people have the idea that Dominick’s the best guy out there. He’s not tougher than I am, I know that,” said The California Kid. “I don’t feel that he proved that he was, and I can’t wait to get in there and fight again for the belt and show everyone who the man is.”
Here’s the complete 32-fighter list for TUF 15 announced by FX:
- Jeremy Larsen (Phoenix, Arizona)
- Cristiano Marcello (Curitiba, Brazil)
- Chris Saunders (Long Beach, California)
- Erin Beach (San Diego, California)
- Akbarh Arreloa (Chula Vista, California)
- Jared Carlsten (Los Angeles, California)
- Myles Jury (San Diego, California)
- Vinc Pichel (Sherman Oaks, California)
- Chase Hackett (Littleton, Colorado)
- Mark Glover (Liverpool, England)
- Andy Ogle (Tynemouth, England)
- John Cofer (Hull, Georgia)
- Jon Tuck (Hagtna, Guam)
- Johnavan Vistante (Pearl City, Hawaii)
- Chris Tickle (Bloomington, Illinois)
- Joe Proctor (Pembroke, Massachusetts)
- Mike Rio (Miami, Florida)
- Daron Cruickshank (Wayne, Michigan)
- James Krause (Blue Springs, Michigan)
- Justin Lawrence (Villa Ridge, Montana)
- Drew Dober (Omaha, Nebraska)
- Dakota Cochrane (Omaha, Nebraska)
- Al Iaquinta (Wantagh, New York)
- Brendan Weafer (New York, New York)
- Jordan Rinaldi (Matthews, North Carolina)
- Ali Maclean (Belfast, North Ireland)
- Jeff Smith (Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania)
- Austin Lyons (Cordova, Tennessee)
- James Vick (Fort Worth, Texas)
- Cody Pfister (Amarillo, Texas)
- Michael Chiesa (Spokane Valley, Washington)
- Sam Sicilia (Spokane Valley, Washington)
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