Michael Bisping and Daniel Cormier have been announced as the coaches for the upcoming season of The Ultimate Fighter reality show. The first episode of the new season is scheduled to premiere on June 14, according to UFC On Paramount. This marks another installment of the long-running UFC coaching series that pairs veteran fighters as team leaders. Both Bisping and Cormier are former UFC champions and current analysts, bringing extensive experience to their coaching roles.
The Ultimate Fighter is set to feature two of combat sports' most recognizable personalities, with Michael Bisping and Daniel Cormier confirmed as the coaches for the upcoming season. The first episode is scheduled to premiere on June 14, per UFC On Paramount.
Bisping, nicknamed "The Count," retired with a professional record of 30 wins and 9 losses, fighting out of England and standing six-foot-one with a 75-inch reach. The 47-year-old is a former UFC middleweight champion and built his career on relentless output, averaging 4.33 significant strikes landed per minute. Since stepping away from competition, he has transitioned into a prominent role as a broadcaster and analyst.
Cormier, known universally as "DC," brings a record of 22-3-0 and the rare distinction of having held UFC titles in two separate weight classes. Also 47 years old, he stands five-foot-eleven with a 72-inch reach and compiled one of the sport's most decorated resumes, averaging 4.25 significant strikes per minute with an impressive 52 percent striking accuracy and a strong 1.83 takedowns per 15 minutes. Like Bisping, he now works extensively as a commentator and analyst.
Why it matters
- Both coaches are former UFC champions, giving the season an unusually high-profile leadership pairing
- Their contrasting physical builds and fighting styles — Bisping a striker-heavy middleweight, Cormier a two-division champion with elite wrestling — could shape distinct team identities
- The June 14 premiere date positions the season as a significant programming moment for UFC On Paramount
