The Ultimate Fighter 34 has been officially announced, and will air later in 2026 on the UFC’s new broadcast home, Paramount+.
On Monday, promotion officials announced the return of the reality fighting series via press release, revealing that the upcoming season, which does not have a firm debut date just yet, will feature bantamweights and women’s strawweights.
The Ultimate Fighter 20 actually ushered in the women’s strawweight division, with Carla Esparza defeating Rose Namajunas to become the inaugural UFC women’s 115lb champion. The show aired in 2014.
Over a decade later, a new crop of 115lb’ers are likely destined for the UFC. Coaches have yet to be announced for the upcoming season, which is currently casting. Remote casting will run through March 27, with finalists announced on April 3, 2026.
No in person tryouts for the show will be held. Lionsgate Alternative Television produces the show.
The Ultimate Fighter debuted in 2005, and is widely credited with saving the flagging UFC thanks to the season finale between Forrest Griffin and the late Stephan Bonnar, a fight that has since been inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame’s Fight Wing.
TUF has produced UFC stars including Diego Sanchez, Rashad Evans, Roy Nelson, Nate Diaz, Tony Ferguson, John Dodson, Michael Chiesa, Michael Bisping, Ryan Bader, Kamaru Usman and others. Coaches have included Rampage Jackson, Brock Lesnar, Georges St-Pierre, Jon Jones, Chael Sonnen, Daniel Cormier, Conor McGregor, Michael Chandler, Urijah Faber and a host of the UFC’s biggest stars.
