Miocic, Cormier to clash at UFC 226 after coaching 'TUF 27'
Add another clash of champions to the UFC's docket.
UFC heavyweight titleholder Stipe Miocic and light heavyweight king Daniel Cormier will star as opposing coaches on the upcoming "The Ultimate Fighter 27" before clashing with Miocic's crown on the line on July 7 at UFC 226 in Las Vegas. The promotion announced the news Friday.
Filming for the show is expected to begin next week, with the season finale going down one day before Cormier challenges Miocic at T-Mobile Arena during International Fight Week's ultimate event.
The booking comes less than a week after Miocic and Cormier defended their respective crowns in dominant showings opposite Francis Ngannou and Volkan Oezdemir at UFC 220 in Boston. Miocic's unanimous decision gave him sole ownership of the heavyweight division's title defense record with three.
Cormier had repeatedly shot down calls to return to the division prior to Friday's news, citing a size and power disadvantage and the presence of friend and longtime teammate Cain Velasquez. The light heavyweight champ won his first 13 pro bouts as a heavyweight, and last competed in the weight class back in October 2013 at UFC 166, where he took a unanimous decision over Roy Nelson.
The promotion is reportedly eyeing a long coveted date between flyweight champ Demetrious Johnson and bantamweight titlist TJ Dillashaw for the bill, with featherweight queen Cris Cyborg recently campaigning for a dance with bantamweight counterpart Amanda Nunes as well.
"TUF 27" will feature undefeated lightweight and featherweight fighters. The full list of contestants is as follows:
Lightweight
• Thailand Clark - 7-0
• Joe Giannetti - 6-0
• John Gunther - 6-0
• Jose Martinez Jr.- 4-0
• Luis Pena - 4-0
• Richie Smullen - 3-0-1
• Mike Trizano - 6-0
• Allan Zuniga - 13-0
Featherweight
• Jay Cucciniello - 8-0
• Tyler Diamond - 9-0
• Brad Katona - 6-0
• Bryce Mitchell - 9-0
• Suman Mokhtarian - 8-0
• Dulani Perry - 4-0
• Kyler Phillips - 5-0
• Ricky Steele - 5-0