Daniel Cormier set to coach The Ultimate Fighter for the third time vs. fellow UFC Hall of Famer

UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier will sign off on his third coaching gig in 12 months on the upcoming The Ultimate Fighter 34.

Daniel Cormier has been a busy man over the last 12 months. In addition to his various UFC broadcasting gigs, Cormier has coached opposite Chael Sonnen on The Ultimate Fighter 33 and against former two-time rival Jon Jones on a Russian spinoff of TUF.

Despite being six years removed from his MMA retirement, Cormier remains an active presence in the sport. He’ll be down in Miami this weekend for UFC 327, featuring a light heavyweight title headliner between Jiri Prochazka and Carlos Ulberg.

Cormier has coached twice on TUF, including most recently against Sonnen on TUF 33. His first TUF coaching gig came against eventual three-time rival Stipe Miocic, before the UFC Apex facility was constructed.

As the UFC looks to continue to gain momentum in 2026, Cormier will be an important piece, as he’s set to return to coach the latest season of TUF opposite a fellow legend.

Daniel Cormier vs. Michael Bisping set for TUF 34 coaching battle

It was reported on Thursday that Cormier and former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping will serve as coaches of TUF 34 this year, with filming set to begin soon in Las Vegas. This will mark Bisping’s third time coaching on TUF, and his first appearance on the show since TUF 14.

TUF 34 will feature top prospects in the men’s bantamweight and women’s strawweight divisions. The full fighter lineup is expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

Fans have been displeased with the quality of recent TUF seasons, which used to feature coaches with heated rivalries and backstories. Bisping was at the center of one of TUF’s biggest coaching rivalries when he squared off opposite Jason ‘Mayhem’ Miller.

While Cormier and Bisping are friendly, don’t be surprised if their competitiveness boils over into some entertaining moments on TUF 34.

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