Michael Bisping and Daniel Cormier to coach next season of TUF

The Ultimate Fighter is set to return with a high-profile coaching pairing, as the UFC has announced that Michael Bisping and Daniel Cormier will lead opposite teams in the upcoming season. The first episode is scheduled to premiere on June 14th, with the announcement coming via UFC on Paramount. No details about the weight class or season format have been disclosed.

Bisping, known as "The Count," brings one of the sport's most decorated careers to the coaching role. The 47-year-old Englishman compiled a professional record of 30-9-0 during his fighting career, becoming the first British fighter to win a UFC championship. Standing six-foot-one with a 75-inch reach, Bisping was a relentless volume striker, averaging 4.33 significant strikes landed per minute across his career. He has since become a familiar face in the broadcast booth.

Daniel Cormier, nicknamed "DC," is equally accomplished. Also 47, Cormier finished his career with a record of 22-3-0 and is one of the few fighters in UFC history to have held championships in two separate divisions simultaneously. Standing five-foot-eleven with a 72-inch reach, Cormier was particularly effective in the grappling department, averaging 1.83 takedowns per 15 minutes, and posted an impressive striking accuracy of 52 percent. Like Bisping, he transitioned into a prominent role as a UFC commentator and analyst following his retirement.

Why it matters

• Both coaches are former UFC champions and current broadcast personalities, giving the season an unusually high-profile feel
• Their contrasting physical profiles and fighting styles — Bisping's volume striking versus Cormier's elite wrestling and two-division pedigree — could shape how they develop their respective teams
• No weight class or format has been confirmed, leaving key questions about the season's competitive structure unanswered