The Ultimate Fighter: Team Cormier vs Team Sonnen S33E02
The Ultimate Fighter: Team Cormier vs Team Sonnen S33E02
Watch DailyMotion Video
Watch OK Video
Episode 2 of The Ultimate Fighter: Team Cormier vs Team Sonnen turned up the intensity as fighters from both camps stepped into the spotlight. The competitive heat between coaches Daniel Cormier and Chael Sonnen is clearly rubbing off on their fighters — and fans are loving it.
Date & Time:
- Aired on: June 4, 2025
- Time: 9 PM ET / 6 PM PT
- Streaming: Available on ESPN+ and UFC Fight Pass
Filming Location:
This episode, like the rest of the season, was filmed at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada, known for hosting elite-level training and fight events in a controlled environment.
Match Card – Episode 2
The spotlight bout featured two promising lightweight fighters:
- Team Cormier: Michael “Iron Hands” Thomas
- Team Sonnen: Jose “El Relámpago” Rivera
It was the season’s first elimination fight, and both sides were eager to make an impact.
Fight Breakdown & Review:
From the opening bell, the energy was electric. Thomas came in aggressive, attempting to use his wrestling to dictate the fight. Rivera, however, stayed composed and relied on his striking to keep the pressure off.
- Round 1: A fairly even round where Thomas managed a couple of takedown attempts, but Rivera responded with clean counter-strikes and leg kicks.
- Round 2: Rivera began to dominate. A sharp left hook followed by ground-and-pound forced the referee to step in.
Winner: Jose Rivera via TKO in Round 2 (3:41)
Team Sonnen draws first blood in the season, putting them ahead 1-0.
Coaches’ Tactics
- Sonnen’s Corner: Focused on distance control and striking precision — a game plan that worked flawlessly.
- Cormier’s Gameplan: Centered around wrestling pressure, but his fighter struggled to capitalize.
Final Thoughts:
Episode 2 delivered everything you want from The Ultimate Fighter: intensity, strategy, and raw emotion. Team Sonnen now holds the advantage, but with Cormier’s coaching pedigree, don’t expect him to stay behind for long.
Stay tuned — the tension, talent, and tempers are just starting to rise in Season 33.