UFC’s 30th season of reality TV series “The Ultimate Fighter” is scheduled to be coached by UFC Bantamweight Champion Julianna Pena and former long-time champ Amanda Nunes.
The season will see the rivals coach heavyweight and flyweight fighters who will be competing for a spot on the UFC roster.
Pena and Nunes were selected as coaches after their title fight meeting late last year. Pena pulled off a massive upset in her performance against Nunes, scoring a second-round submission win to become champion.
The coaching roles of Pena and Nunes on this season signal that the bantamweights are expected to fight in a rematch later this year.
The season is expected to premiere on May 3rd.
Heavyweight Roster
Eight names were confirmed for the heavyweight season on Friday.
Three undefeated fighters will compete in the bracket, as Nyle Bartling, Jordan Heiderman, and Zac Pauga are expected to compete.
Two recent competitors in the 2021 PFL season will also appear, as Mohammed Usman and Chandler Cole were unveiled for the lineup.
In the most puzzling addition to the roster, 43-year-old Bobby Maximus is set to appear. Maximus has been inactive from MMA since 2009 and had a three-fight run in the UFC previously. The news marks his second “TUF” appearance, as he also fought on the second season of the show back in 2005.
Finish-heavy fighters Eduardo Perez and Mitchell Sipe are part of the season as well.
Invicta FC Represented Well In Flyweight Field
The eight-woman flyweight lineup for the upcoming season is a testament to the depth that women’s MMA promotion Invicta FC has in the industry. Out of the eight fighters selected, seven of them have fought in Invicta FC before.
The most experienced Invicta FC fighter of the seven is Helen Peralta, as she has fought for them six times since 2018. She is currently on a two-fight winning streak, including a decision she earned over Elise Pone just last month.
Brogan Walker snapped a two-fight skid in her last bout, submitting Emilee King in August. She will now compete on “TUF.”
Chantel Coates, another addition to the lineup, won her return bout recently against Lucero Acosta. Another Combate Global representative in Kaytlin Neil will also be on the season.
Claire Guthrie is getting the “TUF” call after scoring two wins in 2021, defeating Nadine Mandiau on an LFA card, and beating Juliana Miller at an Invicta FC show.
After losing a “Contender Series” fight in 2021, Kathryn Paprocki is appearing this season.
Juliana Miller will attempt to bounce back from her first pro loss when competing in the season.
Multi-combat sport fighter Melissa Parker will appear in the season as well. Along with an undefeated boxing record of five wins, Parker scored two MMA victories late last year.
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