The debut of The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 10 is not for another three months — September 16, 2009 to be exact — but the roster of fighters is starting to fill out. The list includes a former IFL champion, several NFL players, a few UFC veterans and one YouTube phenomenon for good measure.
The Sun passed along the news, suggesting the cast will comprise just 16 heavyweights, all of whom will get a spot of the show. This is down from 32 fighters who have had to fight their way into the house in an opening elimination round, as seen in recent seasons.
Check out the full TUF 10 cast after the jump:
Kevin "Kimbo Slice" Ferguson: The YouTube phenomenon and former Elite XC headliner
Roy Nelson: Former IFL champion
Wes Sims: Former UFC fighter
Marcus Jones: Former NFL player
Matt Mitrione: Former NFL player
Wes Shivers: NFL veteran
Jim York: MMA fighter
Justin Wren: NFL player/MMA fighter
Mike Wessel: Former UFC fighter
Scott Junk: Former UFC fighter
Zak Jensen: MMA fighter
Darrill Schoonover: MMA fighter
Brendan Schaub: MMA fighter
Jon Madsen: MMA fighter
Tom Blackledge: MMA fighter
Abe Wagner: MMA fighter
Commissioned to coach this eclectic band of misfits will be two former light heavyweight champions in Quinton "Rampage" Jackson and "Sugar" Rashad Evans. The pair will have their hands full as this season will comprise heavyweight contenders exclusively.
In fact, TUF 10 will be the first TUF season to feature heavyweights since the second season in late 2005. That season — which culminated in a heavyweight showdown between Rashad Evans and 6'7" Brad Imes — was noted more for its light heavyweights fighting up in weight than it was for its true heavyweight contenders, including Evans, Keith Jardine, Mike Whitehead and Seth Petruzelli.
The date for The Ultimate Fighter Season 10 Finale has already been slated for December 5, 2009, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Following the finale, coaches Jackson and Evans are expected to duke it out for the number one contender position in the light heavyweight division.
Source: mmamania.com