FX and the UFC have announced the 32-fighter cast for the upcoming season of The Ultimate Fighter.
The group is a relatively unknown bunch, although a few have been around the block: Myles Jury is a 9-0 veteran who has finished all nine of his opponents in the first round. He was on the 13th season of The Ultimate Fighter but had to leave the house after suffering a serious knee injury. And James Krause, who fought twice in the WEC, is part of the cast as well.
The Ultimate Fighter has been radically overhauled for its 15th season, which will premiere on March 9 on FX. For the first time, the fights will be live, starting with a premiere episode with an unprecedented 16 live fights airing on one night. After that, the 16 winning fighters will move into the house and be divided into teams coached by Urijah Faber and Dominick Cruz, and a fight or two a week will air live on FX every Friday night after that.
The full list of competitors is below.
Akbarh Arreloa, Chula Vista, Calif.
Al Iaquinta, Wantagh, N.Y.
Ali Maclean, Belfast, North Ireland
Andy Ogle, Tynemouth, England
Austin Lyons, Cordova, Tenn.
Brendan Weafer, New York, N.Y.
Chris Tickle, Bloomington, Ill.
Cody Pfister, Amarillo, Texas
Cristiano Marcello, Curitiba, Brazil
Chase Hackett, Littleton, Colo.
Chris Saunders, Long Beach, Calif.
Dakota Cochrane, Omaha, Neb.
Daron Cruickshank, Wayne, Mich.
Drew Dober, Omaha, Neb.
Erin Beach, San Diego, Calif.
James Krause, Blue Springs, Mich.
James Vick, Fort Worth, Texas
Jared Carlsten, Los Angeles, Calif.
Jeff Smith, Mechanicsburg, Penn.
Jeremy Larsen, Phoenix, Ariz.
Joe Proctor, Pembroke, Mass.
John Cofer, Hull, Ga.
Johnavan Vistante, Pearl City, Hawaii
Jon Tuck, Hagtna, Guam
Jordan Rinaldi, Matthews, N.C.
Justin Lawrence, Villa Ridge, Mo.
Mark Glover, Liverpool, England
Michael Chiesa, Spokane Valley, Wash.
Myles Jury, San Diego, Calif.
Mike Rio, Miami, Fla.
Sam Sicilia, Spokane Valley, Wash.
Vinc Pichel, Sherman Oaks, Calif.
Source: Ultimate Fighter Cast Announced