After three years without a season of The Ultimate Fighter, one of the greatest reality shows of all time is set to return. TUF 29 will premiere on June 1st with a new episode coming out every Tuesday. The coaches for this season are UFC Featherweight Champion Alexander Volkanovski and title contender Brian Ortega.
TUF 29 will feature fighters from two divisions in need of contenders, Middleweight and Bantamweight. With eight fighters in each division, only one will be able to win TUF 29 and earn their UFC contract. Let’s take a look at two fighters from each division that has massive potential to win it all!
Vince Murdock (12-4-1) – Bantamweight
Vince Murdock was originally supposed to fight Jordan Griffin in the UFC before disaster struck. Murdock was not medically cleared due to a major brain disease called Moyamoya. He suddenly found himself out of the fight game as he battled off this awful disease. After having successful surgery and healing up, Murdock returned to Team Alpha Male to continue his journey to the UFC. Murdock now finds himself ready to bounce back from his loss on the Dana White Contender Series back in November of 2020. With everything to gain and nothing to lose, Murdock will be ready to do whatever it takes to make the most of this opportunity on TUF 29.
Why Vince Murdock?
- Well-rounded fighter with nothing to lose
- Nine of Twelve pro wins came by finish (8 KO/TKO and 1 Submission)
- Experience advantage with seventeen pro fights (2nd most out of Bantamweights)
- Has a win over UFC Fighter TJ Laramie
- Trains at Team Alpha Male with Urijah Faber, Cody Garbrandt, and Joseph Benavidez
Last Five Fights
- KO/TKO LOSS (Front Kick to Ground and Pound, 0:44 R3) vs. Luis Saldana @ Contender Series 2020 – 11/04/2020
- KO/TKO WIN (Punch, 2:52 R1) vs. Justin King @ Total Warrior Combat – 12/01/2018
- KO/TKO WIN (Groin Strikes, 1:42 R2) vs. Vikas Dahiya @ SFL 2018 – 03/03/2018
- No Contest (Doctor Stoppage, 5:00 R1) vs. Krishan Rawat @ SFL 2018 – 02/16/2018
- Decision WIN (Unanimous) vs. Carl Deaton lll @ FSF MMA: The New Beginning – 05/20/2017
Mitch Raposo (5-0) Bantamweight
Mitch Raposo has the exact amount of confidence you would expect for a 22-year-old undefeated MMA fighter from Massachusetts. Raposo enters the TUF 29 house with a pro-MMA record of 5-0. Since turning pro in 2019, Raposo has managed to finish three of his five fights. Raposo is only 22 years old and has shown few weaknesses during the start of his pro career. With all of the potential in the world, Raposo will look to be the next fighter to put Massachusetts on the MMA map.
Why Mitch Raposo?
- Raposo has a 5-0 pro record and 6-0 amateur record
- Only 22 years old with time to evolve into a superstar
- Three of his Five pro wins came by finish (2 Submission and 1 KO/TKO)
- Trains at the best gyms in Massachusetts including Regiment Training Center and Hard Knocks Boston
- Highly regarded as the top prospect in all of Massachusetts
Last Five Fights
- Decision WIN (Unanimous) vs. Matt Almy @ CES 61 – 10/14/2020
- Decision WIN (Unanimous) vs. Ron Leon @ Cage Titans 47 – 01/25/2020
- KO/TKO WIN vs. Zachary Burns @ Cage Titans 46 – 11/02/2019
- Submission WIN (Rear Naked Choke, 1:41 R1) @ Cage Titans 45 – 08/24/2019
- Submission WIN (Arm Triangle Choke 1:37 R1) @ Cage Titans 43 – 04/06/2019
Kemran Lachinov (10-3) – Middleweight
Kemran Lachinov might end up stealing the show on TUF 29. Not only is he a good fighter, but his wild personality screams through the TV. Lachinov’s best display of this was at Bellator 249 when he allowed Kyle Crutchmer to hit him in the face while making zombie noises mid-fight. Despite all of the crazy antics, Lachinov finds himself with a 10-3 record after going 5-1 in Bellator. Lachinov has never been in a boring fight and you can expect that to continue on TUF 29. With more experience than the other middleweights, Lachinov may just be the underdog that catches people off guard and wins the UFC contract.
Why Kemran Lachinov?
- Well-rounded fighter with five wins coming by finish (3 Submission and 2 KO/TKO)
- Has a 5-1 record in Bellator with a win over Kyle Crutchmer
- Once kept his hands down and let his opponent hit him in the face while making zombie noises
- Granite chin that has made him one of the most durable fighters in Bellator
- Oldest middleweight on TUF 29 with the most pro MMA fights
Last Five Fights
- Decision LOSS (Unanimous) vs. Shamil Nikaev @ Bellator 254 – 12/10/2020
- Decision WIN (Unanimous) vs. Kyle Crutchmer @ Bellator 249 – 10/15/2020
- Decision WIN (Unanimous) vs. Billy Goff @ Reality Fighting – 06/01/2019
- Submission WIN (Knee Bar, 0:53 R2) @ Bellator 216 – 02/16/2019
- Decision WIN (Unanimous) @ Bellator 207 – 10/12/2018
Tresean Gore (3-0) – Middleweight
Despite being the most inexperienced fighters of TUF 29, Tresean Gore enters the reality show with the potential to win the UFC contract. Gore has fought two of his three pro fights at light heavyweight but decided to take this opportunity at middleweight regardless. His athleticism and speed will easily make him one of the most dangerous fighters in the house. Although some people may sleep on him because of his lack of experience, Gore has looked patient and composed during his first three pro fights. With dangerous power and improvements every day, Gore will look to make the most of this opportunity and get signed by the UFC.
Why Tresean Gore?
- Previously fought at Light Heavyweight before moving down for TUF 29
- Two of Three pro fights ended by finish (1 KO/TKO and 1 Submission)
- Gore holds a 3-0 pro record and 3-1 amateur record
- Amateur MMA champion for Fight Lab
- Extremely athletic with incredible KO power at 185 pounds
Last Five Fights
- Submission WIN (Choke, 2:17 R1) vs. Christian Echols @ AFC 5 – 10/03/2020
- KO/TKO WIN (Doctor Stoppage, 5:00 R1) vs. LJ Jones @ NFC 108 – 06/22/2018
- Decision WIN (Split) vs. Prince Ellerbe @ NFC 105 – 03/30/2018
- Decision WIN (Split) vs. Robert Hale @ NFC 87 – 09/30/2016 – AMATEUR
- KO/TKO WIN (Injury, 3:10 R1) vs. Tanner Saraceno @ Fight Lab 40 – 09/13/2014 – AMATEUR
How To Watch TUF 29
After recording for the last several weeks, The Ultimate Fighter reality show is ready to return for its 29th season. TUF 29 will premiere on June 1st at 9 pm ET on ESPN+ for the USA and UFC Fight Pass for the international MMA fans. They will continue to release episodes every Tuesday until all twelve episodes have aired. Make sure you set weekly reminders because this is a reality show you simply can not miss if you are an MMA fan.
Who do you think will win each division of TUF 29? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
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Featured Image Credits to UFC
