For the first time in the history of the show, “The Ultimate Fighter” will debut on Spike TV with 32 competitors fighting for a shot at a UFC contract. In this installment of the show,each fighter will have to earn their spot on the show.

The first two episodes, airing April 2 and April 9, will include a total of 16 fights, either airing in their entirety or featuring extensive highlights. The 16 fighters who win will advance to the ultimate Fighter house, while the losing 16 fighters will go home.

“The new format will give us two incredibly intense episodes to launch the season and will weed out some of the guys who might not have the heart and desire that it takes to become a UFC fighter,” said UFC president Dana White about the new season.

The coaches for the final 16 middleweight fighters will be current light heavyweight champion Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and the number one contender to his title, Forrest Griffin.

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Paul Bradley

MMA Record: 5-0
UFC Record: 0-0
Notes:
Former high school state wrestling champion
NCAA Division I wrestling stand-out Paul Bradley (5-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC)
Earned a scholarship to the University of Iowa

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Steve Byrnes

MMA Record: 6-1
UFC Record: 0-1
Notes:
All six wins by submission
Only loss comes in his UFC debut at Ultimate Fight Night 7
Myspace Page

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Mike Dolce

MMA Record: 3-4
UFC Record: 0-0
Notes:
Fought 4 times in the IFL, going 1-3
Has lost his 4 pro MMA fights
Myspace page

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Gerald Harris

MMA Record: 6-2
UFC Record: 0-0
Notes:
Wrestled at Cleveland State University where he was a three-time qualifier for the NCAA Division I national championships
2003 Eastern Wrestling League champion
Veteran of the IFL
Trains with Team Quest
Also a comedian
Myspace Page

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Dante Rivera

MMA Record: 10-2
UFC Record: 0-0
Notes:
Trains at Renzo Gracie’s Jiu-Jitsu academy
Veteran of the IFL

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David Baggett
MMA Record: 4-2
UFC Record: 0-0
Notes:
Has won all 4 fights by submission

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Matt Brown

MMA Record: 5-6
UFC Record: 0-0
Notes:
Trains with Jorge Gurgel
has fought, and lost to , UFC vets Chris Lytle and Pete Spratt

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Erik Charles

MMA record: 10-5
UFC Record: 0-0
Notes:
Trains with UFC veteran Tamdan “The Barncat” McCrory
certified instructor in two martial arts Muay Thai and Jun Fan Gung Fu.
Won the WEKAF Eastern and National Full Contact Championships, the NYS Heavyweight Golden Gloves boxing title, and more.
Teaches Boxing and a Muay Thai class at Cornell University
Myspace Page

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John Clarke
MMA Record: 6-2
UFC Record: 0-0
Notes:
Well rounded fighter, winning 3 fights by KO and 3 by submission

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Daniel Cramer
MMA Record: 3-0
UFC Record: 0-0

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Timothy Credeur

MMA Record: 9-2
UFC Record: 0-0
Notes:
Has lost to UFC/WEC vet Chael Sonnen and UFC/EliteXC/Pride vet Joey Villasenor
Good submission fighter, 7 wins coming by way of submission

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Clarence Dollaway

MMA Record: 6-0
UFC Record: 0-0
Notes:
Good knockout power
Has fought in HDNet fights

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John Hall
MMA Record: 3-3
UFC Record: 0-0
Notes:
Pankration fighter
has lost to Chris Leben

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Nick Klein
MMA Record: 3-0
UFC Record: 0-0
Notes:
All three wins by way of armbar submission

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David Mewborn

MMA Record: 4-0
UFC Record: 0-0
Notes:
A man of science who loves rocketships and salads.
Trains in Athens, Ga, at the Hard Core Gym , owned by Rory Singer and his brother
Myspace Page

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Mike Marrello

MMA Record: 6-1-1
UFC Record: 0-0
Notes:
Trains five days per week under Jeff Curran and Doug Mango at Curran Martial Arts
Website: http://www.mikemarrello.com

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Jeremy May
MMA Record: 5-5
UFC Record: 0-0
Notes:
4 wins by submission

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Prince LaDonas Mclean

MMA Record: 4-5
UFC Record: 0-0
Notes:
all 4 wins by way of KO/TKO
Won his first 4 fights, lost his last 5.
Record is deceptive – two losses by way of corner stoppage.

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Aaron Meisner

MMA Record: 2-0
UFC Record: 0-0
Myspace Page

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Reggie Orr

MMA Record: 4-5
UFC Record: 0-0
Notes:
KOTC veteran
Myspace Page

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Matthew Riddle

MMA Record: 0-0
UFC Record: 0-0
Notes:
A former New York State and National High School Wrestling Champion
Captured the 190lb Advanced titles at NAGA’s Battle at the Beach (8/07) and Grapplers Quest (10/07) and the Coppa Atlantica BJJ Championships

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Jeremiah Riggs

MMA Record: 1-0
UFC Record: 0-0
Myspace Page

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David Roberts
MMA Record: 5-7
UFC Record: 0-1
Notes:
First pro fight was at UFC 20
Friends with Quinton Jackson
On a 5-fight losing streak
foght and lost to Joe Stevenson

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Nick Rossborough

MMA Record: 9-10
UFC Record: 0-0
Notes:
Trains with Jeremy Horn
Myspace Page

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Amir Sadollah

MMA Record: 0-0
UFC Record: 0-0
Notes:
Making pro debut on the show.
Muay Thai fighter
Myspace: http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=27725946

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Patrick Schultz

MMA Record: 5-1-1
UFC Record: 0-0
Notes:
Muay Tai and Mixed Martial Arts Trainer.
Tae Kwon Do black belt
Has trained at Sityodtong Muay Thai Camp in Thailand
Myspace Page

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Brandon Sene

MMA Record: 2-0
UFC Record: 0-0
Notes:
Former marine
trains Gracie Jiu-Jitsu
Myspace Page

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Dan Simmler
MMA Record: 0-0
UFC Record: 0-0
Notes:
Trains with Matt Serra
He was a semi-finalist to make the cast of TUF 3
Myspace

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Jesse Taylor
MMA Record: 6-2
UFC Record: 0-0
Notes:
Trains with Team quest

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Cale Yarbrough

MMA Record: 0-0
UFC Record: 0-0
Notes: Good striker
Myspace Page

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John Wood
MMA Record: 6-3
UFC Record: 0-0
Notes:
Fights out of Vegas with Las Vegas Combat Club.

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Luke Zachrich

Notes:
He’s an accomplished grappler and has fought in King of the Cage.
MMA Record: 7-1
UFC Record: 0-0
Notes:
KOTC vet
Fights out of Ohio
Myspace Page