The winner of Season 24 of The Ultimate Fighter will earn a December title fight with the reigning UFC flyweight champion, the promotion announced on Tuesday.
Set to begin later this year, 16 flyweights will compete to become the No. 1 contender in the division. The finale for the show, and title fight, will take place in December.
Currently, Demetrious Johnson is set to defend his 125-pound title against Henry Cejudo later this month at UFC 197.
Below is a press release about the announcement:
The search for the next UFC title contender will unfold on season 24 of The Ultimate Fighter as 16 flyweight competitors will compete for a shot at the 125-pound world championship, with the winner to face the UFC flyweight champion at The Ultimate Fighter Finale in December. Tryouts are scheduled for Monday, April 25 in Las Vegas at Palace Station and are open to all competitors aged 21-34 with at least three professional fights and a winning record. The next season of The Ultimate Fighter will begin filming in June and will premiere on FS1 on Wednesday, August 31.
World class coaches, guest coaches, and former opponents of the current champion will be brought in throughout the season to break down film and help the contestants tailor their training to a game plan designed to help them become the next UFC champion. The two finalists will compete in the final episode of the season and the winner will face the flyweight champion at the Finale just days after the season concludes.
Applications, which should be completed and brought to tryouts, can be found online at http://www.ufc.com/TUF24. The athletes will be required to grapple and hit pads, please bring appropriate gear. Applicants will be notified at the end of the day if they have been selected to move on in the casting process. If selected, applicants must be prepared to stay in Las Vegas until Saturday, April 30. All questions can be directed to [email protected].
The Ultimate Fighter, which debuted in 2005, has launched the careers of some of the UFC’s most recognizable names and successful athletes. The series has produced champions such as Forrest Griffin, Rashad Evans, TJ Dillashaw, Carla Esparza, and Matt Serra, as well as season winners Michael Bisping, Ryan Bader, Nate Diaz, and John Dodson.