For two decades, The Ultimate Fighter Competition has been responsible for molding innumerable generations of top-caliber UFC fighters, with several cast members going on to become prominent promotional champions. And for its 33rd iteration, the iconic reality television show has brought together a slew of impressive international talent, featuring eight of the best flyweight and welterweight prospects from around the world.
While the tournament is already underway, several of the season’s most promising competitors still haven’t gotten the chance to throw down on one of the largest proving grounds that combat sports has to offer.
Here are three of the most notable fighters taking part in The Ultimate Fighter Season 33.
The Ultimate Fighter 33’s Most Superb Contestants
Tumelo Manyamala
With the rise of current middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis, South Africa has seen a surge of homegrown talent looking to make their own waves within the mixed martial arts community. Determined to leave his own mark on the sport, Tumelo Manyamala will test himself on The Ultimate Fighter to secure a coveted spot on the UFC roster.
Skipping the amateur ranks entirely, he made his professional debut a mere three years ago. Racking up seven bouts since then, “Bones of Steel” has accumulated a record of 6-1. In all of his victories, the 125-lb slugger has only seen the third round once, with all of them coming inside the distance with five knockouts and one submission. The only loss on his resume comes after a competitive split decision defeat to Mark Climaco, a fighter who has bested five other undefeated opponents.
Andreeas Binder
Standing as possibly the most decorated Irish mixed martial artist not signed to the UFC, Andreeas Binder has emerged as the latest in a long line of promising names coming out of the Emerald Isle.
Possessing a lengthy amateur career with 12 fights, Binder had garnered something of a stacked championship reputation, winning four different titles ranging from welterweight to middleweight. This proficiency with earning belts eventually followed him into his professional journey, capturing five more en route to being recognised as a marquee name on the Irish regional scene.
Riding a five-bout win streak since 2022, “Judoka” is easily one of the more experienced 170-lb names participating in the latest iteration of The Ultimate Fighter. With Ireland becoming a hotbed for producing noteworthy competitors since the indelible success of Conor McGregor, Binder looks eager to carve out a place for himself at the top of the combat sports world.
Jeff Creighton
A well-travelled combatant, Jeff Creighton has fought in several prominent organizations all over the United States, like Fury FC, Cage Warriors and Bellator. In the midst of an impressive eight-fight unbeaten streak, the California fighter has encountered a large degree of success as of late, scoring the Urijah Faber A1 welterweight championship in late 2023, a belt he would proceed to defend three months later. Before signing on to enter The Ultimate Fighter tournament, “Jazzy” picked another strap, winning the Melee Combat Championship 170-lb throne.
Having competed in cages in respectable promotions ranging from the regional and major level, Creighton has been around the block in terms of overall experience. While the cast this time around for The Ultimate Fighter tournament boasts a considerable amount of fierce international representation, the Golden State athlete has his eyes firmly set on joining the UFC.
