‘The Ultimate Fighter: China’ cast revealed, series debuts Dec. 7

The inaugural edition of “The Ultimate Fighter: China” debuts on Dec. 7, and the 16-fighter cast for the series has been revealed.

Eight featherweights and eight welterweights will be divided into teams coached by the UFC’s first Chinese fighter, Tiequan Zhang, and Chinese mixed-martial-artist Hailin Ao. Former Strikeforce champion Cung Le serves as mentor and chief coach.

“The inaugural ‘The Ultimate Fighter: China’ is a ground-breaking program and is an unprecedented initiative for any global sports league in China,” Executive Vice President and Managing Director of UFC Asia Mark Fischer stated. “With national distribution through Liaoning Satellite TV, and the support from our presenting sponsors Cotai Strip Resorts Macao and Marina Bay Sands of the program, we will not only discover and develop the next generation of UFC fighters from China, but also introduce the UFC to millions of new fans across China.”

According to the UFC’s official release, Liaoning Satellite TV reaches more than 830 million viewers across China. UFC officials have yet to reveal if the series will be available for viewing outside of the host country.

The 16 fighters will each compete in a single-elimination tournament, with the two division winners crowned in finale bouts set to take place in March at The Venetian Macao’s CotaiArena. The UFC made its Chinese debut in November 2012 with “UFC on FUEL TV 6: Franklin vs. Le,” which also took place at Macau’s CotaiArena.

The list of 16 finalists was selected from more than 150 applicants and hail from China, the U.S., Canada and Malaysia. The competitors include:

FEATHERWEIGHT

• Chong Allen Solomon, 31, Malaysia
• Fu Changxin, 21, China
• Lee Chunhan, 26, Chinese Taipei
• He Jianwei, 24, China
• Ning Guangyou, 32, China
• Shih Liang, 35, U.S.
• Yang Jianping, 25, China
• Yao Zhikui, 22, China

WELTERWEIGHT

• Cheng Albert, 27, Canada
• Dong Xin, 21, China
• Li Jinying, 26, China
• Wang Anying, 22, China
• Wang Sai, 27, China
• Wu Qize, 25, China
• Zhang Lipeng, 22, China
• Zhu Qingxiang, 30, China

(Pictured: Cung Le)