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. This marks a reunion of sorts for the two former UFC champions, who have maintained careers in broadcasting and commentary since retiring from competition. The announcement was reported by UFCOnParamount. Further details about the season format and competitors have not yet been disclosed.
The Ultimate Fighter is set to return with a familiar pair of faces leading the opposing corners, as the UFC has announced that Michael Bisping and Daniel Cormier will serve as head coaches for the upcoming season, with the premiere scheduled for June 14 on UFC on Paramount.
Bisping, known throughout his career as "The Count," retired from competition with a professional record of 30-9-0. The 47-year-old Englishman stood six-foot-one with a 75-inch reach and was a consistent volume striker, averaging 4.33 significant strikes per minute across his career. A former UFC middleweight champion, Bisping has remained active in the sport through broadcasting and commentary work since hanging up his gloves.
Cormier, nicknamed "DC," brings an equally decorated resume to the opposite coaching corner. The 47-year-old finished his fighting career at 22-3-0 and was a two-division UFC champion, having held titles at both light heavyweight and heavyweight. Standing five-foot-eleven with a 72-inch reach, Cormier was a highly accurate and well-rounded competitor, landing significant strikes at 52 percent accuracy while also averaging 1.83 takedowns per 15 minutes. Like Bisping, he has transitioned into a prominent role as a commentator and analyst.
Why it matters
- Both men are former UFC champions with name recognition that should draw casual viewers back to the franchise
- Their careers overlapped during the sport's peak mainstream popularity, giving the season a built-in sense of history
- No details about division, format, or competing athletes have been confirmed yet, leaving the full competitive stakes unclear
