Amidst the excitement of high-profile UFC pay-per-view events, have you overlooked The Ultimate Fighter (TUF)? Once an experimental reality show brought to life by its creators and now championed by UFC head honcho Dana White, TUF has long been a proving ground for aspiring MMA fighters. The show’s format pits two teams against each other, coached by some of the biggest names in the UFC, with the ultimate prize being a coveted six-figure UFC contract.

Throughout its storied history, The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) has been a launchpad for some of MMA’s brightest stars, including Forrest Griffin, Michael Bisping, Nate Diaz, Tony Ferguson, and many more. In 2025, the iconic reality series is making its much-anticipated return for its 33rd season. As revealed in a recent MMA Junkie update on Instagram, with the caption, “Daniel Cormier and Chael Sonnen will serve as coaches on Season 33 of ‘The Ultimate Fighter,'” this season will see UFC veterans Daniel Cormier and Chael Sonnen leading teams of male flyweights and welterweights.

What makes this season stand out is its historical significance. For the first time in TUF history, retired fighters will coach the teams. Chael Sonnen, who retired from Bellator in 2019, has since built a career as a UFC commentator, analyst, and co-host of ESPN’s Bad Guy/Good Guy podcast alongside Cormier. Similarly, Daniel Cormier, who retired from active competition in 2020, has transitioned to a prominent role as a UFC commentator. Their involvement marks a significant departure from the show’s tradition of featuring active fighters as coaches, a lineup that has ranged from legends like Randy Couture and Chuck Liddell in Season 1 to Valentina Shevchenko and Alexa Grasso in TUF 32 just last year.

Despite this unique twist, fans appear less than thrilled about retired fighters mentoring the next generation of MMA talent. Many fans expressed their dissatisfaction in the comments section of the Instagram post, delivering harsh verdicts on the upcoming season. Scroll down to see how the MMA community reacted.

UFC fans criticize Chael Sonnen and Daniel Cormier coaching TUF 33

With the latest update from MMA Junkie regarding TUF Season 33, fan reactions have been far from positive. Many expressed their disappointment, with one fan summing up the sentiment, saying, “Yep, this show is officially dead,” as they reflected on TUF’s 20-year journey. Another fan suggested that Dana White needs to revamp the show to make it more fan-friendly, commenting, “This will not save the show. They need a new format or hook or something….”

A few fans also took a jab at Daniel Cormier‘s health, given his history of being overweight and his apparent shift from the gym to the golf course. Islam Makhachev, in a friendly jest, remarked about ‘DC’s’ fitness, asking, “When was the last time you were at AKA? When was the last time in the gym, man? I care about you… you need to train… golf won’t burn calories.” One fan humorously quipped, “DC gonna be coaching sitting on a stool,” while another poked fun at Cormier’s eating habits, saying, “Bro, why DC? He’s so boring, going to be eating popcorn while coaching.”

Additionally, many fans suggested that TUF’s days are numbered, with one fan bluntly stating, “That’s one way of saying the show is done.” The last season, TUF 32, gained popularity with Conor McGregor coaching alongside Michael Chandler, building up to one of the most anticipated bouts in UFC history. Unfortunately, McGregor’s fight was canceled due to a “pinky toe” injury, prompting one fan to remark, “Since Chandler never fought Conor, they figured, f-ck it, make anyone a coach, huh?”

Despite the overall skepticism, some fans joked about the direction the show might take, suggesting UFC commentator Joe Rogan and comedian Brendan Schaub as potential future coaches. One fan humorously commented, “Next season is gonna be Rogan v Schaub, bapa, tawgin bouwl washed sport.”

What are your thoughts on the latest update about TUF Season 33? Do you believe Daniel Cormier and Chael Sonnen are the right coaches, given their vast experience? Will they be able to positively impact the upcoming generation of fighters, or is this truly the end of TUF’s legacy? Share your opinion below!