TUF 26 Finale preview: Female flyweights make history in Vegas

If you build it, they will come.

Such is the case for the UFC's embryonic women's flyweight division. Its inception came in the form of this fall's "The Ultimate Fighter 26," as a result of incessant demand from both bantamweights and strawweights on its existing roster. Fighters from a variety of promotions jumped at the chance to throw their hats in the ring at this year's tryouts, with 16 tapped to compete in a tourney that will culminate in the division's inaugural championship bout at Friday's finale in Las Vegas.

Vying for the gold are Nicco Montano and Roxanne Modafferi, the latter a tourney semifinalist stepping up on short notice after Sijara Eubanks - who bested her by decision to earn the title shot - pulled out due to medical reasons on Thursday.

Montano, 28, joined the show with a pro record of 3-2 and a King of the Cage flyweight crown to her name. She secured her spot in Friday's headliner with decision victories over UFC vet Lauren Murphy, Montana De La Rosa, and former Invicta queen Barb Honchak - a favorite to take the tourney and the gold.

Modafferi - a "TUF 18" alum - makes her second appearance in the Octagon four years and a day after dropping a unanimous decision to Raquel Pennington on the finale's bill. The former Strikeforce bantamweight contender has since competed primarily in all-female outfit Invicta FC, compiling a 5-2 record and challenging reigning flyweight queen Jennifer Maia in September 2016. She'll now look to capture the UFC crown in her third career bid at a major world title.

All is not lost for the season's remaining contestants, either. Much like the "TUF 20" edition of the flagship program that laid the foundation of the promotion's strawweight class, many of those who fell short of a chance at fighting for promotional gold have been booked to compete on Friday's show.

On the main card, Honchak - Modafferi's original dance partner prior to Eubanks' withdrawal - officially ends a three-year layoff opposite a fellow contestant in Murphy, who seeks a second wind at flyweight after dropping three of four in the Octagon at 135 pounds.

Another 10 of the season's flyweight alumni will join Montano and Co. at Park Theatre in the following matchups:

• DeAnna Bennett vs. Melinda Fabian
• Christina Marks vs. Montana De La Rosa
• Karine Gevorgyan vs. Rachael Ostovich (130-lb catchweight)
• Ariel Beck vs. Shana Dobson
• Gillian Robertson vs. Emily Whitmire

Welcome to the "Sugar Show"

When "Sugar" Sean O'Malley punched his ticket to the UFC on Dana White's Tuesday Night Contender Series this past summer, he punctuated his first-round KO of Alfred Khashakyan with the words "Welcome to the Sugar Show."

He'll now look to duplicate the smashing success in a co-headlining bantamweight bout opposite Terrion Ware on Friday's bill. The highly touted 23-year-old showman makes his UFC debut with a perfect record of 8-0 including seven victories by stoppage.

Related: How far will top prospect Sean O'Malley go in the UFC?

As for Ware, the seasoned 31-year-old competed in King of the Cage, BAMMA, Absolute Championship Berkut, and RFA before fighting Cody Stamann at featherweight in his short notice promotional debut at UFC 213, where he saw a four-fight win streak snapped by unanimous decision. He returns to his natural weight class with a pro record of 17-6.

Related - TUF 26 Finale predictions: Who will become the UFC's 1st women's flyweight champ?

(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)