The Ultimate Fighter is heading to Paramount+ in 2026, but the announcement of its coaching lineup has landed with a thud for many UFC fans. The promotion has confirmed that Daniel Cormier will return for his second straight season as a coach, this time opposite fellow UFC Hall of Famer Michael Bisping for TUF 34.

While the star power of Cormier and Bisping is undeniable, the news has been met with widespread fan criticism online. The core complaint centers on a growing trend: coaches no longer fighting at the season's end. This marks three of the last four TUF seasons, including Cormier's previous stint with Chael Sonnen, that won't culminate in a promised grudge match inside the Octagon.

Fans are nostalgically recalling the show's golden era, where bitter rivalries like Ken Shamrock vs. Tito Ortiz or Rashad Evans vs. Quinton "Rampage" Jackson were forged in the gym and settled in the cage. Many feel the current format lacks that high-stakes payoff, with one fan bluntly stating, "The show already does awful numbers, at least bring back the coaches having to fight each other."

The season will feature bantamweight and women's strawweight prospects, but the focus is squarely on whether the chemistry between the charismatic but non-fighting coaches can revive interest. As TUF prepares for its streaming debut on Paramount+ in June 2026, the big question isn't about the new platform—it's whether Cormier and Bisping can win back a disillusioned audience.