“The Ultimate Fighter” Returns with a Renewed Format
Season 33 of “The Ultimate Fighter” is just around the corner, and it arrives with an unexpected twist. Instead of seeing active fighters coaching the future UFC prospects, this time the coaches will be UFC Hall of Fame legends turned analysts. Daniel Cormier, former two-division champion, will lead a team that will face Chael Sonnen’s, former title contender in two categories.
Over the years, “TUF” has been a hotbed of talent for the UFC, producing champions and prominent stars. Names like Forrest Griffin, Rashad Evans, Michael Bisping, Kamaru Usman, Robert Whittaker, TJ Dillashaw, and Rose Namajunas have tasted championship glory after participating in the program.
In previous seasons, fans have been able to witness the effort that fighters must make to secure a place on the UFC roster. They have also witnessed the tension between the coaches, anticipating future matchups. However, this season could be different, as the coaches are retired.
The new season of “TUF” will air starting May 27 on ESPN2 and ESPN+. The competition will be held in the welterweight and men’s flyweight weight classes. The results can be found at the end of this news.
How to Watch “The Ultimate Fighter” on ESPN2/ESPN+
Season 33 of “The Ultimate Fighter” will premiere on Tuesday, May 27 at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN 2 and ESPN+, with weekly episodes. Subscribers will be able to rewatch episodes after they air and enjoy previous seasons anytime on ESPN+.
The Coaches
Chael Sonnen
Chael Sonnen will be the coach of Team Sonnen in season 33 of “The Ultimate Fighter”.
Record: 30-18-1
Age: 48 years old
Hometown: Clackamas County, Oregon
Highlights:
- He has been a coach in two previous seasons of “The Ultimate Fighter”, season 17 and TUF: Brazil 3.
- Former UFC light heavyweight and middleweight title contender and former Bellator fighter.
- He has victories over Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, Wanderlei Silva, Mauricio “Shogun” Rua, and Michael Bisping.
Daniel Cormier
Daniel Cormier will be the coach of Team Cormier in season 33 of “The Ultimate Fighter”.
Record: 22-3-0, 1 NC
Age: 46 years old
Hometown: Lafayette, Louisiana
Highlights:
- Coach on season 27 of TUF.
- Former two-division UFC champion (light heavyweight and heavyweight).
- Former collegiate wrestler at Oklahoma State University.
- Has victories over Frank Mir, Dan Henderson, Anderson Silva, and Stipe Miocic.
The Wrestlers
Welterweight
Diego Bianchini
Record: 9-1
Age: 28 years old
Trains in: São Paulo, Brazil
Highlights:
- Fought in LFA in 2024.
- Trains at the Fighting Nerds gym, the same gym as UFC fighters Carlos Prates, Jean Silva, Mauricio Ruffy, and Caio Borralho.
Andreeas Binder
Record: 10-2
Age: 28 years old
Trains in: Galway, Ireland
Highlights:
- Five knockout victories.
- He trains at SBG Charlestown, the same gym as PFL fighter Leah McCourt.
- Former Level Fight League lightweight champion.
- He hasn’t fought since July 2023.
Jeff Creighton
Record: 11-2-1
Age: 29 years old
Trains in: Poway, California
Highlights:
- Fought in LFA and Bellator.
- Trains at The Arena MMA, the same gym as former Bellator champion Liz Carmouche.
Matt Dixon
Record: 11-1
Age: 29 years old
Trains in: Tulsa, Oklahoma
Highlights:
- He fought in “Dana White’s Contender Series” in 2020.
- He has seven knockout victories.
Daniel Donchenko
Record: 11-2
Age: 23 years old
Trains in: Ukraine
Highlights:
- Train at Tiger Muay Thai gym, the same gym as UFC women’s flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko and former UFC men’s bantamweight champion Petr Yan.
- Has seven knockout victories.
Richard Martins
Record: 9-1
Age: 23 years old
Trains in: Campinas, Sao Paolo, Brazil
Highlights:
- He previously fought in LFA.
- He has finished seven of his last eight opponents.
Alex Sanchez
Record: 15-3
Age: 31 years old
Trains in: Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
Highlights:
- Fought in LFA.
- Has not lost a fight since November 2020.
- Trains at Entram Gym, the same gym as UFC welterweight Michael Morales.
Rodrigo Sezinando
Record: 8-1
Age: 28 years old
Trains in: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Highlights:
- He has won each of his last four fights by knockout.
- He trains at Nova União, the same gym as former UFC fighters Renan Barao and Matheus Nicolau.
Flyweight
Idiris Alibi
Record: 10-0
Age: Unknown
Trains in: Aktau, Kazakhstan
Highlights:
- He has four knockout victories and four victories by decision.
- He trains at the same gym as former UFC fighter Sergey Morozov.
Roybert Echeverria
Record: 10-2
Age: 29 years old
Trains in: Miami, Florida
Highlights:
- Fought on “Dana White’s Contender Series” in September 2022.
- Trains at The Goat Shed, the same gym as UFC fighters Gillian Robertson, Ailin Perez, and Dennis Buzukja.
Eduardo Henrique
Record: 13-2
Age: 29 years old
Trains in: São Paulo, Brazil
Highlights:
- He has fought in LFA since July 2022.
- He has six knockout victories.
Tumelo Manyamala
Record: 6-1
Age: 26 years old
Trains in: Cape Town, South Africa
Highlights:
- He has finished his opponent in each of his six victories.
- His only loss was by split decision.
Arshiyan Memon
Record: 7-0
Age: 30 years old
Trains in: Maharashtra, India
Highlights:
- He has never had a professional fight that has gone the distance.
- He has knocked out each of his last four opponents.
Joseph Morales
Record: 12-2
Age: 30 years old
Trains in: Sacramento, California
Highlights:
- Former A1 Combat flyweight champion.
- He had three fights in the UFC in 2017 and 2018.
- He trains at Team Alpha Male, a gym founded by UFC Hall of Famer Urijah Faber.
Imanol Rodriguez
Record: 5-0
Age: 25 years old
Trains in: Mexico
Highlights:
- He has fought in Fury FC and Combate Global.
- He has finished all of his opponents (four knockouts, one submission).
- None of his professional fights have reached the third round.
Furkatbek Yokubov
Record: 14-4
Age: 30 years old
Trains in: Uzbekistan
Highlights:
- Fought in Karate Combat and LFA.
- Fought UFC fighter Vinicius Oliveira at UAE Warriors in November 2020, losing by knockout in the first round.
- Has knocked out each of his last three opponents.
