It seems Cris Cyborg is about to have a slew of new contenders ready and eager to contend for her Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Featherweight strap, as the promotion announced plans to expand the women’s 145-pound weight class.
According to an official statement released by the promotion, season 28 of the Ultimate Fighter (TUF) will feature female 145-pound combatants as well as heavyweight men. Tryouts are set to begin on Tuesday May 22 at 8:00 am PT inside Palace Station Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada.
From the press release:
Heavyweight men, weighing in under 265 pounds, and featherweight women, weighing in at the 145-pound limit, between the ages of 21–34 with at least three professional fights and a winning record are invited to attend the open casting call. TUF 28 will begin filming in July 2018 and premiere on FS1 later in the year.
Cris has has trouble finding suitable foes who compete in her division on a regular basis, as UFC has had to pick off it’s top Bantamweights to move up in order to give Cris a challenge, though they have all come up short.
Unlike season 26 which featured all female flyweights, season 28 won’t be all about the women as it will also be looking for the next big thing at Heavyweight. The current season features Daniel Cormier and Stipe Miocic coaching a string of undefeated featherweights and lightweights.
Though coaches have yet-to-be revealed for season 28 of TUF, filming begins this July in Las Vegas, Nevada.