Michael Bisping and Daniel Cormier to coach next season of The Ultimate Fighter

Michael Bisping and Daniel Cormier have been announced as the head coaches for the upcoming season of The Ultimate Fighter, with the first episode set to premiere on June 14.

Bisping, nicknamed "The Count," brings one of the most celebrated careers in UFC history to the coaching role. The 47-year-old Englishman compiled a professional record of 30-9-0, fighting out of an orthodox stance at six-foot-one with a 75-inch reach. A former UFC middleweight champion, Bisping was a high-volume striker who averaged 4.33 significant strikes landed per minute across his career.

Cormier, widely known as "DC," enters the opposite corner with an equally distinguished resume. Also 47 years old and an orthodox fighter, the five-foot-eleven former champion stands with a 72-inch reach and posted a career record of 22-3-0. He averaged 4.25 significant strikes per minute and landed takedowns at a rate of 1.83 per 15 minutes, showcasing the elite wrestling base that defined his time at the top of the sport. Cormier also edges ahead on striking accuracy, connecting on 52 percent of his significant strikes compared to Bisping's 38 percent.

Why it matters

• Both men are former UFC champions, raising the profile of the season considerably
• Their well-documented rivalry adds a natural dramatic tension to the coaching format
• The pairing puts two fighters with contrasting skill sets — Bisping's striking volume versus Cormier's wrestling-heavy approach — in direct competition for their teams
• No details about the contestants, weight classes, or broader season format have been disclosed yet