UFC Turns to The Ultimate Fighter to Determine Next Flyweight Title Contender

Current UFC flyweight kingpin Demetrious Johnson will put his belt on the line against former Olympic gold medalist Henry Cejudo at UFC 197 on April 23. Regardless of who wins, the flyweight belt will be on the line again at The Ultimate Fighter Season 24 Finale in December.

UFC officials on Tuesday revealed that it will hold tryouts for TUF 24 on April 25 in Las Vegas. The tryouts will be for flyweights with at least three professional fights and a winning record with the promise of a title shot for the show’s winning fighter.

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“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,” read a UFC press release.

Promising a title shot to the show’s winner is not a new concept for the UFC. Notably, Matt Serra earned a shot at and then upset champion Georges St-Pierre when he won the welterweight competition during season four, dubbed “the comeback” season. Travis Lutter won the middleweight tournament of season four, but failed to make weight in his bid to challenge Anderson Silva for the belt.

Season 20 also awarded title shots, as that season introduced the women’s strawweight division to the UFC with finalists Carla Esparza and Rose Namajunas squaring off for the inaugural women’s 115-pound title in the finale.

Flyweight tryouts for Season 24 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, Aug. 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 athttp://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.

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