As many already know, this season will actually begin airing on April 2nd after Ultimate Fight Night 13. There will be 32 fighters when the show begins, but it will quickly be narrowed down to 16 as the original cast must fight and win to get into the house.

This ensures that everybody will have a fight under their belt as the show begins, which hasn’t really been a problem since the first and second season of “The Ultimate Fighter”.

You can also check out some videos on Spike right now that has a preview of the upcoming season, as well as some videos of both of this season’s coaches (Forrest Griffin & Rampage Jackson).

Preview: http://www.spike.com/show/22307

Coaches: http://www.spike.com/episode/26434

Here’s the official press release for the start of Season 7 of “The Ultimate Fighter”:

NEW TWIST FOR SPIKE TV’S “THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER” –

THEY HAVE TO FIGHT AND WIN TO GET INTO

THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER HOUSE™!

“The Ultimate Fighter Team Rampage vs. Team Forrest” Premieres

Wednesday, April 2 at 10pm ET/PT With 32 Middleweight Fighters

First Two Episodes To Feature 16 Fights To Determine Who Stays To Compete

For a Six-Figure Deal With The UFC

New York, NY, March 7, 2008 — For the first time in show history, Spike TV’s “The Ultimate Fighter” will begin the season with 32 middleweight fighters (185 lbs), with the caveat that each fighter must fight his way into the Ultimate Fighter House. Season seven of “The Ultimate Fighter,” premiering Wednesday, April 2 (10:00-11:00pm ET/PT), will feature current UFC light-heavyweight champion, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and “The Ultimate Fighter” season one victor and light-heavyweight contender, Forrest Griffin, as coaches.

The first two episodes (airing April 2 and April 9) will include a total of 16 fights, either airing in their entirety or featuring extensive highlights. The 16 fighters who win will advance to the Ultimate Fighter House and the 16 fighters who lose will go home. The winning fighters of these preliminary bouts will have the opportunity to win a six-figure contract with the preeminent mixed martial arts organization in the world, The Ultimate Fighting Championship.®

“The new format will give us two incredibly intense episodes to launch the season and will weed out some of the guys who might not have the heart and desire that it takes to become a UFC fighter,” notes Dana White, president of the UFC and host of “The Ultimate Fighter.”