Meet the ‘TUF 17’ Cast

Having served as a staging ground for some of the best known and most successful mixed martial artists, “The Ultimate Fighter” reality series returns for its 17th season -- the third with the FX network -- on Jan. 22 at 8 p.m. ET/PT. Light heavyweight champion Jon Jones will coach opposite Chael Sonnen in advance of their UFC 157 main event on April 27 at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.

Launched in 2005 on Spike TV, “The Ultimate Fighter” has spawned some of the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s most valuable commodities, including Josh Koscheck, Kenny Florian, Rashad Evans, Gray Maynard, Michael Bisping and Forrest Griffin. The show ran for 14 seasons on Spike TV until the UFC’s broadcast agreement with the Viacom-owned network expired, prompting the organization to sign a seven-year deal with Fox and move the series to FX in 2012.

Season 17 will feature 28 prospective middleweights, as they vie for a six-figure contract with the UFC. The two finalists who navigate their way through the single-elimination tournament will meet at “The Ultimate Fighter 17” Finale. The complete Season 17 cast follows:

Dylan Andrews (15-4)

The 33-year-old Australian will enter the competition on the strength of a four-fight winning streak. He owns a 2010 victory over “The Ultimate Fighter” Season 4 alum Shonie Carter. Andrews has secured 10 of his 15 professional victories by knockout, technical knockout or submission. He last appeared at a Nitro MMA event in March, when he defeated Hale Vaa’sa by unanimous decision at the Logan Entertainment Centre in Logan City, Queensland, Australia.

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