TUF Live: 5 Lightweight Fighters to Watch out for

After 14 seasons of The Ultimate Fighter, it was abundantly clear that the show's formula was stale. It needed a new wrinkle, something that would drastically change things up and help draw fans back to the show that launched the careers of notable stars like Forrest Griffin, Rashad Evans and Josh Koscheck.

Season 15 is giving the show the change it needed. No longer will the entire show be taped months in advance. Now, for the first time ever, each Friday night episode of the show on FX will feature live fighting. The fighter's activities during the week leading up to the fight will be taped, but the action in the cage will play out in real time.

It'll add a new level of drama to the show that hasn't existed up until now. After all, there's just something about live sporting action.

But before this latest batch of UFC hopefuls can move into the house and start preparing for a 13-week grind that will take them well into the summer months, they'll have to compete in elimination fights to determine who goes into the house and who goes home. Those fights—all 16 of them—will air live tomorrow night on FX. 

Let's take a look at five fighters to watch out for during tomorrow night's debut episode of the show and beyond.

James Krause

Pro Record: 15-4

Krause has more big-event experience than just about anyone else on the show. He made two appearances for the now-defunct World Extreme Cagefighting, losing to Donald Cerrone and Ricardo Lamas. Since that initial foray into Zuffa-ville, Krause has spent time with Titan Fighting Championship and Shark Fights, two of the bigger independent promotions in the United States.

What to watch for: Krause has a nasty submission game that should take him a long way if he's able to win his elimination fight and get into the house.

Daron Cruickshank

Pro Record: 10-2

Cruickshank made his pro debut in 2009 for King of the Cage. He racked up five straight wins before suffering his first loss at the hands of Bobby Green. Six of his wins have come by TKO and only one by way of submission, but he's still well versed in the grappling game.

What to watch for: Cruickshank likes to go for the kill early in his fights. There's a real potential for fireworks whenever he enters the cage.

Chase Hackett

Pro Record: 4-1

Hackett is one of the least experienced fighters on the show, but he more than makes up for it with entertainment value. His nickname, "Prison Stare," is easily the best in the house. Hell, it's one of the better nicknames in MMA. He also has a mustache that rivals Ian McCall's 1800's gentleman look. 

What to watch for: We don't have a lot of fight film to go on, but Hackett appears to have a very good submission game. And, as mentioned above, he also has a fantastic mustache.

Cristiano Marcello

Pro Record: 12-3

Have you ever seen the video of the Brazilian dude submitting Charles "Krazy Horse" Bennett backstage at a PRIDE show in the middle the last decade? Yeah, that Brazilian dude was Cristiano Marcello. He's the head BJJ instructor for the famed Chute Box academy in Brazil and made his pro MMA debut way back in 1998. So yeah, he's a veteran of the sport.

What to watch for: Marcello is obviously a submission expert. Nine of his 12 wins have come by submission, so you can bet he'll be relying on that skill set to carry him far in the tournament.

Myles Jury

Pro Record: 9-0

Jury was supposed to compete on the 13th season of The Ultimate Fighter, but he was eliminated before the show began due to a knee injury. He'll get his chance at redemption in the first-ever live season of the show, and he must be considered one of the favorites to go into the house and win the entire thing.

What to watch for: All nine of Jury's wins have come in the first round. In fact, he hasn't gone longer than 2:20 in any of his professional fights. He's dangerous on the ground and has a good striking game.