Listen up aspiring UFC middleweights - Now is the time to take your shot at the big time. The following is a press release from the UFC:

Spike TV and the UFC® are granting any aspiring mixed martial artist that has ever watched The Ultimate Fighter® and thinks they have what it takes to compete in the world's preeminent MMA organization the chance to prove their mettle.

On Monday, November 19 at the Newark Airport Hilton Hotel at 8:00 AM ET, all fighters that can qualify for the 185-pound weight class are invited to an open casting call for Season 7 of Spike TV's landmark television series, The Ultimate Fighter, to begin taping in Las Vegas in January 2008. There, 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 castmembers of The Ultimate Fighter, such as Kalib Starnes, Corey Hill, Dan Barrera, Cole Miller, Jared Rollins, and Matt Arroyo, among others.

"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 of the rising talent at our casting call on November 19th," said UFC president Dana White, who will oversee the auditions.

Joining White in talent evaluations will be executive producer of The Ultimate Fighter, Craig Piligian, and Spike TV's Co-Executive Producer and Senior Vice President of Sports and Specials, Brian J. Diamond.

Interested applicants are encouraged to sign up in advance at www.ufc.com or www.spiketv.com.