The UFC has tapped two of its most charismatic personalities to helm the next season of its iconic reality show, bringing a fresh dynamic to The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) that promises entertainment both inside and outside the cage.
A Legendary Coaching Matchup
Daniel Cormier and Chael Sonnen, longtime podcast co-hosts and UFC Hall of Famers, will serve as rival coaches for TUF 33, announced during the UFC 311 broadcast. The season is set to premiere on May 27, featuring welterweight and flyweight competitors, and will air on ESPN2.
Daniel Cormier and Chael Sonnen will be the The Ultimate Fighter season 33 coaches 🔥 pic.twitter.com/wYN7zH9sY3
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) January 19, 2025
This isn’t uncharted territory for either veteran. Cormier previously coached Season 27 against Stipe Miocic, while Sonnen led Season 17 opposite Jon Jones in 2013. Their current collaboration on the “Good Guy/Bad Guy” podcast on ESPN provides an additional layer of chemistry and built-in narrative for the show.
The announcement brings a unique twist to the long-running series. Unlike previous seasons where coaches traditionally conclude their stint with a fight against each other, Cormier and Sonnen—both retired fighters—will not square off in the cage. Instead, they’ll bring their well-established on-air dynamic to coaching young fighters.
Personalities That Define an Era
Cormier, a two-division champion inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2022, represents the quintessential “good guy” of MMA. His illustrious career at American Kickboxing Academy and multiple championship wins make him an ideal mentor for emerging talents.
Sonnen, known for his provocative persona and remarkable ability to talk himself into title opportunities, perfectly embodies the “bad guy” archetype. His 2010 title fight against Anderson Silva—now immortalized in the UFC Hall of Fame’s Fight Wing—remains a legendary moment in MMA history.
Their playful pre-season trash talk already hints at the entertainment to come. “It’s about time that they bring the real MVP back to lay the smackdown on you,” Cormier quipped. Sonnen fired back, “Daniel will find out like 51 other men before him why you should never piss off a gangster.”
The UFC and ESPN clearly recognize the draw of these personalities. By placing Cormier and Sonnen at the helm of TUF 33, they’re banking on the pair’s proven chemistry, storytelling abilities, and deep understanding of fighter development to create compelling television.
For aspiring fighters, having coaches of this caliber provides an unprecedented learning opportunity. Cormier and Sonnen represent different fighting styles, mental approaches, and career trajectories that could offer invaluable insights to the season’s competitors.
As the MMA world anticipates the premiere, one thing is certain: TUF 33 will be anything but ordinary. With Cormier and Sonnen at the helm, fans can expect a season filled with technical expertise, dramatic narratives, and no shortage of entertainment.
