UFC News: Daniel Cormier, Chael Sonnen To Coach 'The Ultimate Fighter'

Two big characters of the UFC will go head to head as rival coaches as UFC Hall of Famers Daniel Cormier and Chael Sonnen face off on Season 33 of The Ultimate Fighter. The UFC's iconic reality show, which has produced a generation of UFC stars, including a host of world champions, usually features two rival fighters, who coach teams of prospects against each other, with the prospects battling it out in a bid to earn a UFC contract. The coaches, meanwhile, go head to head in a bout in the UFC after the season's conclusion. That format will see a slight change for its 33rd season, with retired fighters Cormier and Sonnen taking the coaching reins in an extension of their MMA-themed ESPN debate show, Good Guy/Bad Guy. There are no plans for the pair to fight. The news was first announced during the broadcast of UFC 311, and officially confirmed via a press release from the UFC on Thursday night. Playing the role of the "Good Guy," Cormier brings a wealth of experience way beyond his own fighting career. He captured UFC titles at both light heavyweight and heavyweight, and previously won the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix after entering the tournament on short notice. Prior to his MMA career, Cormier was a decorated collegiate wrestler who captained Team USA at the 2008 Olympic Games, though illness prevented him from competing on the mat himself. Since his retirement in 2020, "DC" has become one of the most beloved figures in MMA, with his infectious enthusiasm for the fight game making him a natural fit for the UFC's commentary team, alongside Jon Anik and Joe Rogan. Cormier will coach opposite his verbal sparring partner on ESPN, self-proclaimed "Bad Guy" Sonnen, whose hard-nosed fighting style and pro-wrestling inspired mic skills helped him become a bonafide star in the UFC, despite never quite reaching the status of champion. Sonnen challenged for world titles four times during his career, as he competed for the WEC middleweight title, UFC middleweight title, and UFC light heavyweight title during his extensive fighting career. While he never officially captured championship gold, his victory over Paulo Filho at WEC 36 is viewed by many as a title win. The bout, which was originally scheduled for the WEC middleweight title, was demoted to a non-title fight after Filho missed weight. After Sonnen won the bout, Filho mailed him the championship belt in recognition of his victory. In the UFC, Sonnen's rivalry with then-middleweight champion Anderson Silva remains one of the most famous in UFC history, and his larger-than-life personality has made him one of the most prominent voices in the sport since his retirement. Now Sonnen and Cormier will face off as rival coaches as The Ultimate Fighter celebrates its 20th year. The 12-episode season, which will feature men's flyweights and welterweights, will drop every Tuesday on ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes, starting on May 27 at 10pm ET/7pm PT. In addition, all 32 previous seasons of The Ultimate Fighter are available to stream on ESPN+. The news follows the announcement that The Ultimate Fighter's lead producer, Pilgrim Media Group's Craig Piligian, would be inducted into the 2025 Class of the UFC Hall of Fame during UFC International Fight Week this summer. Read more: Dricus Du Plessis Says Facing Fellow UFC Champion Would Be 'Easy Payday' Piligian will be inducted into the Contributor Wing for his work on The Ultimate Fighter, with UFC president and CEO Dana White paying tribute to his impact on the UFC. "Craig Piligian is one of the most influential and respected executives in the history of television," he said. "Craig was instrumental in shaping The Ultimate Fighter into one of the most important unscripted television shows in sports and helping make UFC a global phenomenon. "It will be an honor to induct him into the UFC Hall of Fame this summer." Michael 'Venom' Page Says He Still Has Unfinished Business at Welterweight For more MMA, head to Newsweek Sports.