The Ultimate Fighter returns for its 34th season this Sunday, immediately following the UFC’s White House card. Current UFC commentators Daniel Cormier and Michael Bisping will take on coaching duties, leading teams of bantamweight and women’s strawweight prospects. The UFC has already revealed 10 tryout participants in each division, with only eight fighters from each weight class earning spots on the coaches’ teams. Before the season premiere, let’s take a closer look at the prospects hoping to make their way to the UFC.

Bantamweights

#10 – Illimbek Akylbek Uulu

At just 22 years old, Uulu is one of the most intriguing prospects in the bantamweight field. The Kyrgyzstan native enters the competition with a 10-3 professional record, built on six submission victories and four decision wins. Notably, all three of his losses have come by knockout, while he has yet to record a knockout victory of his own. That dynamic creates an interesting profile on a show where exciting finishes often play a major role in capturing attention.

To his credit, Uulu’s losses have come against respectable competition, with his three defeats occurring against fighters who held records of 10-3, 8-0, and 7-3-1 at the time. Still, his three losses are tied for the most among the bantamweights on this season’s roster.

Despite his youth, Uulu has already captured championships in both Octagon and AFP. However, based on his résumé, he also appears to be one of the least polished competitors in the field. His strengths are clear, but there are noticeable gaps in his overall skill set that more experienced opponents could exploit.

That said, Uulu may have as much upside as anyone in the competition. As the youngest fighter in the bantamweight bracket, he offers plenty of developmental potential. If I were one of the coaches, he would be the type of prospect I’d target in the later rounds of the draft.

#9 – Marlon Jones

Jones enters the season as the only undefeated bantamweight in the field, though his 5-0 professional record is also the least experienced among the roster. The 25-year-old from the United Kingdom compiled a 9-3 amateur record before turning pro and recently captured an FCC title with a victory over the 7-1 William Mello. While Jones technically owns another professional win, it has been ruled record-ineligible by Tapology because it came against Will Cairns, who entered the bout with a 1-42 record.

As an amateur, Jones won four title fights before closing out his amateur career with a loss to Curtis Campbell, who has since made his UFC debut. Most of Jones’ victories have come by TKO via punches, showcasing his aggressive finishing instincts. He also owns one decision win as a professional. Earlier in his amateur career, he demonstrated some grappling ability as well, securing multiple rear-naked choke finishes, but has yet to do so as a professional.

Like Uulu, Jones appears to be a relatively raw prospect who is still developing a complete skill set. However, his undefeated record and finishing power suggest there is significant upside that either coach could look to realize during the competition.

#8 – Sean Mora

Mora, a 29-year-old fighter from Cuba, enters the season with a 7-1 professional record and the distinction of being a reigning CFFC champion. His lone professional defeat came against Usama Rahman, a bout in which Mora was disqualified for eye gouging rather than beaten in conventional fashion.

Before turning pro, Mora compiled a 4-1 amateur record. After dropping his amateur debut, he rebounded impressively, stringing together four consecutive victories and capturing an amateur title along the way. As a professional, he has recorded one knockout and two submission victories, while adding another knockout finish during his amateur career. The majority of his fights, however, have gone the distance.

Outside of the disqualification loss, Mora’s résumé is one of the stronger ones in the bantamweight field. The biggest concern is his lack of finishing ability. On a show like The Ultimate Fighter, where standout performances and highlight-reel finishes often generate the most momentum, a decision-heavy style can be a disadvantage.

There’s a reasonable argument that Mora is a more polished fighter than some of the competitors ranked ahead of him. Still, when projecting long-term UFC success, it’s difficult to get overly excited about a prospect who has rarely demonstrated the ability to consistently put opponents away. While he may be a legitimate contender in the competition, his ceiling remains a question mark.

#7 – Christian Strong

At 28 years old, Christian Strong is one of only two Americans in the bantamweight field. He enters the competition with a solid 9-1 professional record and has already captured two titles in his career. His lone defeat came against Elijah Smith, widely regarded as one of the UFC’s top prospects, while his professional debut featured a victory over Cameron Smotherman, who also currently competes in the UFC.

Strong’s amateur career was brief but successful, as he posted a 2-0 record with both wins coming by decision. Since turning professional, he has developed more of a reputation as a striker, earning five knockout victories while collecting his remaining wins on the scorecards. Notably, he has never won or lost a fight by submission.

On paper, the wins over Smotherman and the loss to Smith stand out as a strong résumé. However, several of his victories have come against opponents with losing records, and the overall depth of his fight record does not stand up to some of the other bantamweights in the house. Combined with the lack of a submission grappling game at this stage of his career, it’s difficult to rank Strong much higher at this point in time. That said, there is still room for him to exceed expectations. If he demonstrates a more well-rounded skill set during the tryout process, particularly in the grappling department, he could quickly climb these rankings. For now, though, he checks in at No. 7.

#6 – Abdul “Abba” Hussein

The first fighter on the list with a listed nickname, Abba Hussein brings one of the most accomplished résumés in the bantamweight field. The 28-year-old Finn owns a 15-2 professional record to go along with a perfect 8-0 amateur career, giving him more combined experience than nearly anyone else in the competition.

One of Hussein’s two professional losses came against the undefeated Muhammad Mokaev, who is widely regarded as one of the best fighters outside the UFC. While Hussein ultimately dropped a decision, the fact that he went the distance with a fighter of Mokaev’s caliber speaks well of his level. Early in his career, Hussein built much of his success on a strong submission game, but his recent run in promotions such as ICF and UAE Warriors has showcased a more well-rounded and mature fighter.

The biggest question surrounding Hussein’s participation in The Ultimate Fighter may have nothing to do with his abilities. He was recently booked for a UFC debut against Muin Gafurov, which raises the possibility that he never actually ends up being drafted onto one of the teams. In many ways, Hussein feels like a prospect better suited for Dana White’s Contender Series than The Ultimate Fighter. His experience, polish, and extensive body of work suggest a fighter who may already be beyond the developmental stage that the show’s coaching format is designed to address. While some of the younger and less refined prospects stand to benefit significantly from the guidance of Daniel Cormier or Michael Bisping, Hussein appears much closer to being UFC-ready right now.

#5 – Artem Belakh

Belakh is a 30-year-old fighter from Kazakhstan who enters the competition with an impressive 11-2 professional record and an LFA championship to his name. His amateur career was brief, finishing with a 1-1 record before making the jump to the professional ranks.

A dangerous and accomplished grappler, Belakh has secured seven of his 11 victories by submission, while also adding two knockout wins and two decisions. Unlike some of the other grappling specialists in the field, however, he has demonstrated a more balanced overall game, giving him multiple paths to victory against a variety of opponents.

The strength of his résumé is particularly noteworthy. His two losses came against fighters with records of 4-0 and 12-4, and he spent the early portion of his career facing elite competition, with each of his first seven opponents entering their bouts undefeated. More recently, he captured LFA gold by defeating the 11-1 Vinicius Pires, further solidifying his status as one of the most accomplished fighters in the bantamweight bracket.

By virtually every measure, Belakh appears to be one of the highest-level competitors in the house and a legitimate contender to win the season. While his grappling-heavy approach may not always produce the type of highlight-reel moments that make fighters instant fan favorites, his skill set, experience, and quality of competition suggest he will be a difficult matchup for anyone in the tournament.

#4 – Rodrigo “El Gato Loco” Vera

“El Gato Loco” entered The Ultimate Fighter filming with a remarkable 21-1-1 professional record. Since then, the 30-year-old Peruvian has added another victory to his résumé, winning his UFC debut against Kangjie Zhu in Macau and improving to 22 professional wins.

What makes Vera’s inclusion in this discussion so fascinating is the implication that he may have gone undrafted following the TUF tryouts. During the UFC Macau broadcast, Michael Bisping strongly suggested as much while on commentary. If true, it would be quite surprising.

On paper, Vera possesses arguably the strongest résumé in the bantamweight field. He competed in four title fights under the FFC banner, spent time fighting in LFA, and owns just a single professional defeat, which came against the undefeated Eduardo Torres. Prior to turning professional, he also posted a perfect 3-0 amateur record. Vera’s style is well-rounded, with nine knockout victories and three submission finishes on his record, though many of his bouts have also gone the distance. His experience level, quality of competition, and overall body of work stand out even among a talented group of prospects.

I would’ve said it would be highly unlikely that Vera would go undrafted. At the same time, there is some logic behind coaches prioritizing younger or less established fighters who may benefit more from the developmental aspect of The Ultimate Fighter. Vera already appears to be UFC-caliber talent, as evidenced by his successful debut, making him somewhat of an unusual fit for the format. Regardless of how his TUF journey ultimately unfolds, Vera has already proven that he belongs on the UFC stage.

#3 – Micaias “The Pink Ranger” Ureña

“The Pink Ranger” enters the competition as the oldest fighter in the bantamweight field at 31 years old. The Dominican Republic native brings an 11-3 professional record into the house, and while those numbers may not immediately stand out compared to some of the other prospects, a closer look reveals a fighter who has consistently faced quality opposition.

All three of his losses came against fighters who entered their bouts with records of 7-1, 1-0, and 3-0, showing that he has rarely been beaten by anyone lacking legitimate potential. More importantly, he has built a well-rounded résumé of his own, recording five knockout victories and four submission finishes while capturing championships in both Force and Samurai. He has also tested himself against higher-level competition in LFA. What stands out most is the balance in his skill set. With proven finishing ability both on the feet and on the ground, he possesses the kind of versatility that can translate well in a tournament setting where adaptability is often critical.

I wouldn’t be surprised if his age causes him to slide down the draft board compared to some of the younger prospects with greater developmental upside. However, if that happens, he could end up being one of the steals of the season. His experience, level of competition, and well-rounded game make him a fighter who could easily outperform his draft position and emerge as one of the tougher outs in the tournament.

#2 – Xavier “Mr. Benjamin” Franklin

“Mr. Benjamin” enters the competition with a 6-1-1 professional record, along with one no contest. At 29 years old, he is somewhat inexperienced compared to many fighters in the field, though he also compiled an undefeated 5-0 amateur record before turning professional.

His lone defeat came on Dana White’s Contender Series, where he lost to David Martinez, who has since established himself as the UFC’s No. 9-ranked bantamweight. Outside of that setback, Franklin has put together a solid résumé, including three title-fight victories under the Peak banner. His most recent outing resulted in a draw against the 12-2 Magerram Gasanzade in XFC.

Franklin has demonstrated finishing ability, recording three knockout victories and one submission win as a professional. While his striking appears to be the strongest aspect of his game, his grappling remains less proven and could be an area opponents look to test during the competition.

Of all the bantamweights in the field, Franklin may be one of the prospects I believe in the most relative to his résumé. The quality of his competition has been strong, and his limited professional experience suggests there is still significant room for growth. That combination of proven ability and untapped potential makes him a particularly intriguing contender heading into the season.

#1 – Mehemmedeli “Ineffable” Osmanli

At just 21 years old, Mehemmedeli Osmanli is the youngest fighter in the bantamweight field and, in my view, the top prospect entering the competition. The Azerbaijani standout owns an impressive 12-1 professional record, a remarkable achievement given his age and relative lack of experience compared to some of the veterans in the house.

Osmanli has already captured two championships under the New Generation Fighting banner and boasts a strong finishing rate, with eight submission victories and two knockout wins. While he has relied heavily on his grappling throughout his career, he has also shown the ability to win rounds and secure decisions as the level of competition has increased.

The blemish on his résumé is a loss to Feroz Nejrabi, who currently owns a 2-2 professional record. That’s not the type of defeat typically associated with a blue-chip prospect. Additionally, the overall strength of Osmanli’s competition has not always matched that of some of the more established fighters in the field.

That said, there are signs that he is already beginning to answer those questions. His most recent victory over the previously unbeaten 10-0-1 Bakhtovar Yunusov in UAE Warriors stands out.

Ultimately, Osmanli earns my No. 1 ranking because of what he has accomplished at such a young age. Few fighters in the tournament can match his combination of youth, winning pedigree, championship experience, and long-term upside. I would expect him to be selected near the very top of the draft, possibly even with the first overall pick. That doesn’t mean he’s a flawless prospect. His striking still appears to lag behind the rest of his game, and his relative lack of experience compared to some of the older competitors leaves room for concern. For that reason, an early exit wouldn’t be completely shocking. Still, if I’m projecting who has the best chance to emerge from this season as a future UFC contender, “Ineffable” Osmanli is the fighter I’d bet on.

Conclusion

From top to bottom, this bantamweight field is one of the deeper and more experienced casts The Ultimate Fighter has assembled in recent years. While there are a handful of intriguing young prospects with significant upside, the division is largely made up of seasoned fighters who have already accumulated championship experience and faced respectable levels of competition. The one surprising trend is the lack of undefeated prospects, a trait that is often common among fighters entering developmental competitions such as this.

With two participants—seemingly Vera and Hussein—already having received UFC bookings, there is a realistic possibility that this season produces more future UFC fighters than just the tournament winner. In fact, if those two truly were the fighters left undrafted, it speaks volumes about the level of talent the coaches saw throughout the rest of the field. Both fighters possess high floors and résumés that would normally make them attractive selections, making their apparent omission all the more surprising.

Ultimately, that’s a testament to the overall strength of the bantamweight bracket. The division features a compelling mix of proven veterans, accomplished regional champions, and promising young talent, creating the ingredients for a highly competitive season. If the talent level on paper translates into action inside the cage, fans should be in for one of the more entertaining seasons of The Ultimate Fighter in recent memory.

Women’s Strawweights

#10 – Anita “The Arm Collector” Karim

“The Arm Collector” enters the competition as a 29-year-old prospect from Pakistan with a 6-2 professional record. Despite her nickname, neither of her submission victories has come by armbar, though she has shown the ability to finish fights with both two submission wins and one knockout on her résumé.

Karim’s professional career got off to a rocky start, as she suffered a rear-naked choke loss in her debut and later dropped a decision. Since then, however, she has rebounded well, most recently capturing a championship with a TKO victory in Infinite.

The challenge for Karim is less about her own accomplishments and more about the level of competition within this year’s strawweight field. The women’s bracket is loaded with impressive records, to the point where six wins are tied for the fewest among the competitors and two losses are among the highest totals in the division. Against that backdrop, Karim’s résumé simply does not stand out as much as those of her peers.

That doesn’t necessarily mean she lacks talent or the ability to make a run in the competition. However, when comparing her body of work, level of opposition, and overall accomplishments to the rest of the field, she was the clear choice for my No. 10 ranking. There may be more to her game than her record suggests, but based solely on the available résumé, it’s difficult to place her any higher heading into the season.

#9 – Anna “Bandana” Melisano

Anna “Bandana” Melisano enters the competition with a 6-1 professional record and a reputation as one of the more intriguing developmental prospects in the strawweight field. The 29-year-old American went 4-3 as an amateur, with one of those losses coming against current UFC fighter Carli Judice.

Melisano’s professional career began with a submission loss, but she has responded impressively by putting together a six-fight winning streak. During that run, she captured a championship in Fury and steadily built momentum heading into The Ultimate Fighter.

While her professional record is undeniably strong, the level of competition on her résumé leaves some questions unanswered. Compared to many of the other fighters in the field, she has not consistently faced the same caliber of opposition, making it difficult to gauge exactly where she stands as a prospect. Her uneven amateur record adds another layer of uncertainty. One encouraging sign is her recent finishing ability. Only three of her six professional victories have come inside the distance, but all three occurred during her most recent fights, suggesting she may be developing greater confidence and effectiveness as a finisher.

Ultimately, Melisano’s résumé is built more on potential than proven accomplishments. The winning streak, championship pedigree, and recent finishes are all plusses but when stacked against the stronger résumés in the division, she remains a difficult fighter to rank much higher heading into the season. Still, if her recent improvements are a sign of things to come, she could end up outperforming expectations.

#8 – Delphine Benouaich

Delphine Benouaich enters the competition as one of the more difficult prospects to evaluate. The French fighter is believed to be 32 years old, though her age is not listed on Tapology. If that information is accurate, she would be the oldest strawweight in the field. However, given the uncertainty surrounding her age, I won’t weigh that factor too heavily in my ranking.

What is certain is her experience. Benouaich brings a 7-2 professional record into the competition after a lengthy amateur career. She began her amateur run with a 4-4 record before turning things around dramatically, winning six consecutive bouts before dropping her final amateur fight.

One of the more intriguing aspects of her résumé is her finishing ability. Benouaich has recorded four knockout victories as a professional, an impressive number in the strawweight division, where knockouts are relatively uncommon. Her losses have also come against respectable opposition, including a split-decision defeat to Ingrid Silva and a decision loss to Naizi Cantanhede. While the bout with Cantanhede was later overturned after Cantanhede failed a drug test, the loss still appears on Benouaich’s record according to Tapology.

Beyond those results, however, her résumé lacks many standout wins that would significantly elevate her standing within this talented field. Capturing a championship in KARMMA is certainly a positive accomplishment, but compared to some of the other strawweights in the tournament, her overall body of work doesn’t feature the same level of notable victories or proven competition. That’s ultimately why she comes in ranked at number 8. There are simply too many unanswered questions surrounding her profile, from her age to the true strength of her résumé. At the same time, uncertainty works both ways. If Benouaich impresses during the tryout process, it would not be surprising to see her drafted much higher than expected. She may be one of the toughest fighters in the field to accurately project heading into the season.

#7 – Melissa “Mamba” Amaya

Melissa “Mamba” Amaya enters the competition as one of the most polarizing prospects in the strawweight field. At 31 years old, she is the oldest confirmed competitor in the tournament, excluding the age uncertainty surrounding Delphine Benouaich. The American brings a pristine 8-0 professional record into the season and has spent her entire career competing under the Combate Global banner.

On paper, Amaya checks a lot of boxes. She is undefeated, owns a balanced finishing profile with three knockouts and two submissions, and has also proven capable of winning rounds, with three victories coming by decision. That versatility suggests a well-rounded skill set that can be crucial in a tournament setting.

The concern, however, lies in the level of competition she has faced. While Amaya has consistently won, the quality of her opposition has generally been underwhelming compared to many of the other fighters in the tournament. In fact, her most recent victory over the 11-4-3 Megumi Sugimoto represents the only time she has faced an opponent with a record more than one win above .500.

For that reason, I find myself lower on Amaya than many others might be. Undefeated records naturally command respect, and it’s difficult to criticize a fighter for beating everyone put in front of her. Still, there is a significant difference between winning consistently and proving yourself against elite competition. The jump in opposition she will face on The Ultimate Fighter could be substantial, and I’m not convinced her résumé provides enough evidence that she’s ready for it. That doesn’t mean Amaya can’t prove me wrong. An undefeated, well-rounded fighter always deserves the benefit of the doubt to some extent. However, until she demonstrates that her success can translate against a stronger caliber of opponent, I remain skeptical that her record is as impressive as it initially appears.

#6 – GiGi “Diamond” Canuto

At just 23 years old, GiGi “Diamond” Canuto is one of the youngest competitors in this season’s strawweight field, and one of the most intriguing. The Brazilian prospect enters the competition with a strong 7-1 professional record and already boasts experience competing exclusively in LFA, one of the premier developmental promotions in mixed martial arts.

Canuto’s greatest strength is her grappling. Five of her seven professional victories have come by submission, and her credentials extend beyond MMA competition. Most notably, she holds a grappling victory over current UFC strawweight contender Denise Gomes, submitting a fighter who has never been submitted in her professional MMA career. That’s the kind of accomplishment that immediately commands attention when evaluating prospects.

While Canuto is clearly most dangerous on the ground, she has also demonstrated some finishing ability on the feet, recording one knockout victory. Still, her striking remains a work in progress, and much of her success has been built around her ability to control and finish opponents with her grappling.

There is certainly a case to rank Canuto higher than I have. Her youth, submission skills, and experience in a respected promotion make her one of the highest-upside fighters in the tournament. However, her lone loss to the 4-1 Natasha Kuziutina is not an ideal mark on her résumé, and the overall quality of her opposition has not always matched what her impressive record might suggest at first glance.

Even so, Canuto possesses the kind of ceiling that could make these rankings look foolish in hindsight. If she can continue to develop her striking and become a more complete mixed martial artist, she has the potential to emerge as one of the breakout stars of the season. For now, she lands at No. 6 on my list, but I wouldn’t be surprised at all if the coaches valued her upside enough to select her significantly earlier in the draft.

#5 – Mackenzie “Mack-Judo” Stiller

“Mack Judo” enters the competition as one of the most accomplished grapplers in the strawweight field. The 26-year-old American owns a 6-1 professional record and was a perfect 4-0 as an amateur before making the jump to the professional ranks.

Stiller has already gained experience in notable promotions such as Bellator and LFA, with her lone professional defeat coming against the 7-1 Sumiko Inaba. Beyond that setback, she has consistently imposed her grappling on opponents. Five of her six professional victories have come by submission, and all four of her amateur wins ended the same way, making her stylistic identity one of the clearest among the competitors in this season’s cast.

The strength of Stiller’s ground game is undeniable, but questions remain about her striking. She has yet to record a knockout victory as a professional, and her only loss came by TKO, suggesting that her stand-up game may lag behind her elite grappling credentials. Against higher-level competition, opponents will likely look to keep the fight standing and test that aspect of her skill set.

Even with those concerns, Stiller is one of my favorite prospects in the tournament. Her submission ability gives her a clear path to victory against almost anyone in the field, and fighters with truly elite specialty skills are often difficult to prepare for in a tournament setting. While her game remains somewhat incomplete, the upside is easy to see. If she can make meaningful improvements on the feet and become more comfortable in striking exchanges, she has the potential to develop into a dangerous and highly effective strawweight prospect. For now, she’s a grappling specialist with obvious areas for growth, but also one of the fighters most capable of making a statement when the competition begins.

#4 – Hailai Wushamo

Hailai Wushamo enters the competition as one of the more accomplished and entertaining prospects in the strawweight field. The 25-year-old Chinese fighter owns an impressive 10-1 professional record, highlighted by a victory over former UFC fighter Ming Shi, one of the stronger wins on any résumé in the division. Her lone defeat came against Xiaoni Liu, who carried an 11-4 record into the matchup. While there’s no shame in losing to an experienced opponent of that caliber, the manner of the loss raises some questions. Wushamo was submitted via armbar, and with no submission victories of her own on record, her grappling remains the biggest unknown in her overall skill set.

What is not in question is her striking. Wushamo has recorded four knockout victories as a professional, showcasing the kind of power and aggression that tends to resonate with fans. In a division where finishes can be difficult to come by, having legitimate knockout ability immediately makes her one of the more dangerous fighters in the tournament.

That striking prowess should make her a fan favorite throughout the season, but stylistically, The Ultimate Fighter may present some difficult challenges. The field features several accomplished grapplers and submission specialists who could look to exploit the perceived weaknesses in her ground game. As a result, there may be a few nightmare matchups lurking in the bracket despite her impressive record and obvious talent. Overall, I view Wushamo as a high-level prospect with legitimate UFC potential. However, tournament formats often reward versatility as much as raw talent, and I’m not entirely convinced this particular season is tailored to her strengths. If she can prove her grappling is better than her résumé suggests, she has the tools to make a deep run. If not, she could find herself vulnerable against the wrong opponent despite being one of the division’s most dangerous strikers.

#3 – Valesca “Tina Black” Machado

“Tina Black” enters the competition as the most experienced fighter in the strawweight field by a considerable margin. The 30-year-old Brazilian owns a 15-4 professional record, giving her both the most wins and the most losses of any competitor in the division. That extensive résumé provides a level of experience that few others in the tournament can match.

Machado’s record includes several notable appearances against high-level competition. She holds a victory over UFC fighter Julia Polastri from 2018 and later earned an opportunity on Dana White’s Contender Series, where she fell to future UFC strawweight Piera Rodriguez in 2021. Those results offer valuable insight into where she stands relative to UFC-caliber opposition.

Stylistically, Machado is somewhat of an outlier within this year’s field. While many of the other strawweights have built their résumés around finishing ability, Machado has become increasingly comfortable winning fights over three rounds. She owns five knockout victories and one submission win, but seven of her last eight fights have gone the distance. Although submissions have not been a major source of success in her MMA career, Machado has continued to develop her grappling skills through participation in grappling competitions outside of mixed martial arts. That additional experience contributes to what is already one of the most well-rounded skill sets in the tournament.

She may not be the flashiest or most exciting prospect in the field, but there’s a strong argument that she is among the most polished. Experience, composure, and technical consistency often go a long way in tournament formats, which should make Machado a legitimate threat to win the season. At the same time, coaches on The Ultimate Fighter have historically gravitated toward younger fighters with greater developmental upside, so it wouldn’t be surprising if she were drafted lower than her actual chances of winning the tournament might suggest.

#2 – Natalia Alves

The 25-year-old Brazilian enters the competition with an unblemished 8-0 professional record, making her one of the few undefeated fighters in the strawweight field. While the overall quality of her opposition leaves some room for debate, she has taken meaningful steps up in competition recently, spending her last three fights in LFA and defeating three opponents who each entered with only a single professional loss.

Alves’ skill set appears to be well-rounded, though grappling has been the foundation of her success. Four of her eight victories have come by submission, while another ended by knockout. More recently, however, she has begun going to the scorecards more as the level of competition has improved, suggesting she is learning how to win against tougher opposition even when the finishes are harder to find.

In many ways, she fits the mold of a classic The Ultimate Fighter prospect: undefeated, talented, and full of potential, but still carrying enough question marks to make her difficult to project with certainty. The record is impressive, yet there remains a sense that her biggest tests are still ahead of her.

That’s exactly what makes this competition such an important opportunity. She’ll be looking to prove that her undefeated record is more than just a product of favorable matchmaking and show that she belongs among the division’s top prospects. If she performs well during the tryouts, it would not be surprising to see her selected early in the draft. Between her age, unbeaten record, and obvious upside, she possesses many of the traits coaches tend to value highly in The Ultimate Fighter format.

#1 – Camila “Buttercup” Reynoso

“Buttercup” may be just 22 years old, but the Argentine prospect already possesses one of the most accomplished résumés in the strawweight field. Reynoso enters the competition with a 9-1 professional record after compiling a perfect 7-0 amateur career, during which she captured two amateur titles.

Her success only accelerated after turning professional. Reynoso won her first six professional bouts, five of them championship fights under the Samurai banner, establishing herself as one of the premier young talents on the regional scene. The lone setback of her career came in a decision loss to the experienced 13-5 Xiomara Piriz, but she has responded exactly how top prospects are expected to, rattling off three consecutive victories since then. Two of those wins came in additional title fights, further strengthening an already impressive résumé.

What makes Reynoso particularly appealing as a prospect is the combination of accomplishments and versatility. She has recorded four knockout victories, two submissions, and three decision wins, demonstrating the ability to succeed in a variety of ways. While her grappling still appears to trail her striking, her overall game is well-rounded enough to pose problems for opponents in multiple phases of a fight. Beyond the results themselves, Reynoso has consistently delivered entertaining performances, earning multiple Fight of the Night bonuses in Samurai.

This blend of youth, championship experience, finishing ability, and fan-friendly style is rare, especially in a competition built around identifying future UFC talent. Simply put, Reynoso has already accomplished nearly everything she could have in her current promotion despite being only 22 years old. It’s not often that a prospect arrives on The Ultimate Fighter with this level of pedigree, upside, and proven success all at once. I would be surprised if she isn’t selected early in the draft, and if I were making the picks, she would be firmly in consideration as a first-round selection.

Conclusion

On paper, the women’s strawweight field may actually be stronger than the bantamweight bracket. There are several reasons for that, but the combination of impressive records, accomplished résumés, and intriguing prospects makes this side of the competition every bit as compelling, if not more compelling, heading into the season.

Compared to the bantamweights, I also feel much more confident about the top of my rankings. The bantamweight division is incredibly deep and competitive, to the point where almost anyone in the field feels capable of making a run to the finals. Strawweight, on the other hand, appears to have a more clearly defined upper tier in my eyes, with several fighters separating themselves from the pack..

From the UFC’s perspective, this season arrives at an important time. The strawweight division could benefit from an influx of fresh talent, and this cast appears well-positioned to provide it. There are multiple fighters in the field who have already demonstrated the skills and résumés necessary to compete at a higher level, making this one of the more intriguing developmental groups the show has assembled in recent years. That said, I’m slightly less optimistic about the number of eventual UFC signings compared to the bantamweight side. Unlike the men’s bracket, where two competitors appear to have already earned UFC opportunities despite reportedly going undrafted, none of the strawweight participants have been booked for UFC fights to my knowledge. Even the two fighters who were seemingly left off the final teams remain outside the promotion for now.

Still, that’s ultimately what makes this season so interesting. The strawweight cast is filled with fighters who have plenty left to prove, and The Ultimate Fighter offers them the perfect platform to do it. Whether it’s established champions looking for a breakthrough or young prospects chasing their first major opportunity, the division should provide plenty of compelling storylines throughout the season.