Two retired fighters will coach the next season of The Ultimate Fighter (TUF).
During the UFC 311 broadcast yesterday (Sat., Jan. 18, 2025), it was announced that former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) two-division champion Daniel Cormier and former three-time UFC title challenger Chael Sonnen will coach season 33 of TUF.
Check out the announcement below:
“It’s about time they put the real MVP in to lay the smackdown on [Chael Sonnen]. You’re going down,” Cormier told his opposing coach. “It’s Team Good Guy vs. Team Bad Guy, and the bad guys are going down.
Sonnen responded, “Daniel is going to find out the 51 guys before him that you don’t deal with a gangster.”
Unlike most other seasons, Sonnen and Cormier will not fight at the conclusion of the reality show, even though the retired Heavyweight jokingly said he offered to fight him.
Honestly, I don’t hate the decision to feature two retired fighters as coaches, even though the show has been lackluster for the past ten seasons.
Nevertheless, Season 33 of TUF debuts on ESPN+ later this year on Tues., May 27, 2025, and will feature Flyweights and Welterweights – with the winners getting a six-figure UFC contract.
