With Brazilian in the cast, TUF 18 has confirmed participants

TUF 18 cast with coaches R.Rousey (right) and M. Tate (left). Photo: Disclosure (UFC/FOX Sports)

The mystery is over. This Wednesday (15), the Ultimate organization announced 32 participants in the reality show The Ultimate Fighter 18, one of the most anticipated seasons of the program – mainly due to the rivalry between the coaches Ronda Rousey e Miesha Tate. Among the names presented is the Brazilian Rafael “Barata” de Freitas.

Rafael, who trains at the “Gracie Barra New Mexico” gym, has a record of six wins and one draw. A jiu-jitsu specialist, “Barata” won five of his victories by submission. The draw in his record came precisely in his last fight, in March, against former UFC and WEC Antonio Banuelos, at the event Legacy FC 18.

The 32 selected fighters will go through an elimination phase in the first episode. After this phase, the number of athletes in the reality show will be reduced by half, making up the cast that enters the TUF house. In total, there are 16 women and 16 men, all in the bantamweight category (up to 61,2 kg).

Check out the complete list of athletes who will be part of TUF 18 below:

FEMALE CAST

Shayna Baszler (15-8), 33 years old, United States;
Revelina Berto (3-1), 24 years old, United States;
Jessamyn Duke (2-1), 27, United States;
Tonya Evinger (11-6), 32 years old, United States;
Laura Howarth (4-0), 26, England;
Tara LaRosa (21-3), 35 years old, United States;
Valerie Letourneau (4-3), 30 years old, Canada;
Bethany Marshall (4-1), 25 years old, United States;
Sarah Moras (3-1), 25, Canada;
Margaret “Penny” Morgan (2-0), 33, United States;
Gina Mazany (3-0), 25 years old, United States;
Roxanna Modafferi (15-10), 30 years old, United States;
Julianna Pena (4-2), 24 years old, United States;
Rachel Pennington (3-3), 24 years old, United States;
Jessica Rakoczy (1-3), 36 years old, United States;
Colleen Schneider (4-3), 31 years old, United States.

MALE CAST

Christopher Beal (7-0), 28 years old, United States;
Cody Bollinger (14-3), 22 years old, United States;
Louis Fisette (6-1), 23, Canada;
Rafael “Barata” de Freitas (6-0-1), 29 years old, Brazil;
David Grant (8-1), 27, England;
Tim Gorman (9-2), 30 years old, United States;
Anthony Gutierrez (4-0), 22 years old, United States;
Emil Hartsner (4-0), 23 years old, Sweden;
Joshua Hill (9-0), 26 years old, Canada;
Chris Holdsworth (4-0), 25 years old, United States;
Patrick Holohan (9-0-1), 25, Ireland;
Sirwan Kakai (9-1), 23 years old, United States;
Daniel Martinez (18-4), 28 years old, United States;
Matthew Munsey (4-1), 26 years old, United States;
Lee Sandmeier (9-0), 30 years old, United States;
Michael Wootten (6-0), 24 years old, England.