TUF 18: The Ultimate Fighter® as women make their debut in the reality series

 

history will be made on SEASON 18 OF

 

 

UFC champion Ronda Rousey to coach opposite winner of Miesha Tate vs. Cat Zingano bout, which takes place at The Ultimate Fighter Finale

on April 13

 

Male and female bantamweights (135lbs) invited to try-out for season 18 on April 15

 

Las Vegas, Nevada – In a move set to make history, The Ultimate Fighting Championship^® (UFC^®) announced Saturday evening that it will feature women as coaches on the 18^th season of The Ultimate Fighter^®, its long-running reality series. Newly minted UFC bantamweight champion, Ronda Rousey, will coach opposite the winner, and eventual title contender, of a fight between Miesha Tate and Cat Zingano set for The Ultimate Fighter Finale on April 13 in Las Vegas, Nev.

 

UFC President Dana White's announcement: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvgCiOHHhX8

 

Earlier this year, the UFC announced Rousey as the first-ever female fighter signed to the organization. She cemented her position as UFC champion and baddest woman on the planet with an impressive win against Liz Carmouche at UFC^® 157 in Anaheim, Calif.

 

On April 13, former Strikeforce bantamweight women’s champion Miesha Tate will square-off against highly touted, undefeated contender Cat Zingano in the second women’s bout in UFC history. The winner will ultimately join Rousey as coach to the newest class of bantamweights – living and training together – vying for the title of The Ultimate Fighter and a six–figure contract with the UFC. 

 

Tryouts for season 18 of The Ultimate Fighter will take place on Monday, April 15 in Las Vegas, Nev. All TUF^™ 18 candidates must be at least 21 years old, have the legal ability to live & work in the United States, and have a minimum of three professional Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fights – holding a winning record (with verifiable records).

 

Tryout details will be released on Monday, March 18. TUF 18 is expected to debut in the fall of 2013.

 

Meanwhile, tickets for season 17’s The Ultimate Fighter^® Finale are on-sale now. To purchase tickets to the April 13^th event at Mandalay Bay Events Center, or for more information, visit the Mandalay Bay Events Center Box Office, all Ticketmaster locations, www.ticketmaster.com, or charge-by-phone at 800.745.3000.

 

Catch all new episodes of this season of The Ultimate Fighter 17 at 9 p.m. ET/PT.