Open casting call for ‘The Ultimate Fighter 7′ on Nov. 19

November 6th, 2007, 5:36 pm · Post a Comment · posted by CARLOS ARIAS

Spike TV and the UFC are holding an open casting call for aspiring mixed martial artists in the 185-pound weight class for Spike TV’s reality series “The Ultimate Fighter 7″ at 8 a.m. on Nov. 19 at the Newark Airport Hilton Hotel in New Jersey.

Fighters will be asked to demonstrate their grappling and striking skills before a panel of experts.

Past open casting calls in New York, Boston, Miami and Las Vegas have resulted in the discovery of current and past TUF cast members such as Kalib Starnes, Dan Barrera, Cole Miller, Jared Rollins and Matt Arroyo.

“The Northeast is a hotbed for mixed martial arts, and I’m looking forward to seeing both the fans in Newark at UFC 78 and all the rising talent at our casting call on Nov. 19,” UFC president Dana White said in a statement.

White will oversee the auditions and talent evaluations and he will be joined by Craig Piligian, executive producer of “The Ultimate Fighter, and Brian J. Diamond, Spike TV’s co-executive producer and senior vice president of sports and specials.

Interested applicants are encouraged to sign up in advance at ufc.com or spiketv.com. TUF 7 will begin taping in January.

CARLOS ARIAS/The Register

carias@ocregister.com

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