‘TUF 18’ Tryouts Set for April 15 in Las Vegas; Male, Female Bantamweights Invited

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Tryouts for “The Ultimate Fighter” Season 18 will take place April 15 in Las Vegas and will be open to both men and women competing at 135 pounds.

UFC President Dana White revealed news of the coed season during the UFC 158 prelims broadcast, and promotion officials Tuesday released more details about the Season 18 tryouts, which will evaluate male and female fighters for the first time in the reality show’s history. The new season is expected to debut in Fall 2013 and will see female coaches mentor the fighters in another series first, as Ronda Rousey goes head-to-head with the winner of the April 13 Miesha Tate-Cat Zingano bout.

All “TUF 18” applicants must be at least 21 years old and possess the legal ability to live and work in the United States. Fighters must also have at least three pro fights to their credit and own a verifiable winning record. Bantamweights planning to attend the tryouts should fill out an application online at UFC.com/TUF18 and bring the document to the proceeding on April 15.

Tryouts take place in the grand ballroom of Palace Station Hotel, located at 2411 West Sahara Ave. in Las Vegas. Registration begins at 8:00 a.m. PT, and fighters should bring appropriate gear in order to grapple and hit pads. At the end of the initial tryout on Monday, fighters will be notified if they have been selected to continue in the casting process. If that is the case, fighters should be prepared to stay in Las Vegas through April 19.