Michael Bisping and Daniel Cormier have been announced as coaches for the upcoming season of The Ultimate Fighter. The first episode of the new season is scheduled to premiere on June 14. Both fighters are retired UFC veterans and current commentators/analysts for the promotion. This marks a significant pairing of two former champions from different eras. The announcement was reported by UFCOnParamount, confirming the coaching matchup for the reality competition series.
Michael Bisping and Daniel Cormier have been announced as the head coaches for the upcoming season of The Ultimate Fighter, with the premiere set for June 14.
Bisping, nicknamed "The Count," brings a decorated career to the coaching role. The 47-year-old Englishman compiled a professional record of 30-9-0 during his time in the cage, becoming one of the most recognizable figures in UFC history. Standing six-foot-one with a 75-inch reach, he was an active and aggressive striker, averaging 4.33 significant strikes per minute across his career. He now serves as a commentator and analyst for the promotion.
Cormier, known as "DC," is equally well-credentialed. Also 47, the former champion finished his career with a record of 22-3-0 and was a dangerous presence in both the striking and grappling departments. At five-foot-eleven with a 72-inch reach, he averaged 1.83 takedowns per 15 minutes and landed significant strikes at a 52 percent accuracy rate — among the higher figures for fighters in his era. Like Bisping, he transitioned into broadcasting and remains a prominent voice for the UFC.
Why it matters
- Both men are former UFC champions, giving the season an added layer of competitive credibility between coaches
- Their contrasting physical profiles and fighting backgrounds — Bisping as a volume striker, Cormier as a wrestling-heavy finisher — could shape how each man builds and mentors his team
- The pairing reunites two of the promotion's most prominent media personalities in a competitive setting for the first time
