Michael Bisping and Daniel Cormier have been announced as coaches for the upcoming season of The Ultimate Fighter reality show. The first episode is scheduled to premiere on June 14. Both former UFC champions will lead opposing teams of aspiring fighters in the long-running competition series. This marks another coaching stint for the two popular personalities who have remained active in MMA through broadcasting and mentorship roles.
Michael Bisping and Daniel Cormier have been named as the opposing coaches for the upcoming season of The Ultimate Fighter, with the first episode set to premiere on June 14.
Bisping, known as "The Count," brings a storied fighting career to the coaching role. The 47-year-old Englishman compiled a professional record of 30-9-0 during his time competing, standing 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. Since retiring from competition, he has remained a visible presence in MMA through broadcasting work.
Across from him will be Daniel Cormier, also 47, who finished his fighting career with a record of 22-3-0. Known as "DC," the former two-division UFC champion stood five-foot-eleven with a 72-inch reach and was one of the most complete fighters of his era, posting a striking accuracy of 52 percent and averaging 1.83 takedowns per 15 minutes. Cormier has similarly transitioned into a prominent broadcasting and commentary career since stepping away from the cage.
Why it matters
- Both men are former UFC champions with deep competitive experience to pass on to the next generation of fighters
- Their contrasting physical profiles and fighting styles — Bisping a rangy striker, Cormier a wrestling-heavy power fighter — offer competing philosophies for the teams they will lead
- The pairing of two of MMA's most recognizable broadcast personalities gives the show significant promotional appeal heading into the new season
