Once apon a time, UFC President Dana White, said women would never fight in the Octagon. How times have changed in the last year, as the rumors have been confirmed; that the UFC is adding a second women’s division Strawwieght (115 lbs.)
After the success of the 18th season of The Ultimate Fighter, which featured men and women; it’s been announced that season 20 will be even more ground breaking as the season will a cast of 16 women fighters in a tournament with the winner being crowned the first ever UFC Women’s Strawweight champion. 11 of the 16 Women that will compete on the show have been announced. All of them had their contracts from Invicta FC bought out by the UFC.
Carla Esparza (9-2) – Invicta FC Strawweight champion
Claudia Gadelha (11-0)
Felice Herrig (9-5)
Joanne Calderwood (8-0)
Juliana Lima (6-1)
Bec Hyatt (5-3)
Tecia Torres (4-0)
Alex Chambers (4-1)
Emily Kagan (3-1)
Paige VanZant (3-1)
Rose Namajunas (2-1)
Further ore the UFC has announced that the remaining 5 slots will be filled by an open tryout. Coaches for the season have yet to be announced, but it’s more then likely that the coaches will be male fighters.
With a title at the end of the rainbow and this being a field of the top fighters in the weight class, I’m confident that this will be the best season of fights in the history of TUF.
