The Ultimate Fighter – Cormier vs. Sonnen 5/27/25 – 27th May 2025
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Date & Location:
- Date: May 27, 2025
- Start Time: 10:00 PM ET | 7:00 PM PT
- Location: Las Vegas, Nevada, United States.
Opening Matchup
In the debut episode, the first fight featured Joseph Morales (Team Sonnen) against Eduardo Chapolin (Team Cormier). Morales, a former UFC fighter, showcased his grappling skills by securing a first-round submission victory via rear-naked choke, advancing to the flyweight semifinals. This win gave Team Sonnen an early lead in the competition.
The episode concluded with the announcement of the first welterweight bout: Richard Martins (Team Sonnen) vs. Daniil Donchenko (Team Cormier), set for the next episode.
Team Rosters
Team Cormier:
- Flyweights: Eduardo Chapolin (Brazil), Alibi Idiris (Kazakhstan), Imanol Rodriguez (Mexico), Tumelo Manyamala (South Africa)
- Welterweights: Rodrigo Sezinando (Brazil), Daniil Donchenko (Ukraine), Jeff Creighton (USA), Alex Sanchez (Mexico)
Team Sonnen:
- Flyweights: Joseph Morales (USA), Furkatbek Yokubov (Uzbekistan), Roybert Echeverria (Venezuela), Arshiyan Memon (India)
- Welterweights: Diego Bianchini (Brazil), Matt Dixon (USA), Richard Martins (Brazil), Andreeas Binder (Ireland)
Conclusion:
The Ultimate Fighter 33, featuring Team Cormier vs. Team Sonnen, kicked off on May 27, 2025, showcasing intense competition between 16 talented fighters vying for a UFC contract. The event, which airs every Tuesday night at 10:00 PM ET on ESPN2 and ESPN+, promises to deliver thrilling matchups and high-stakes drama. As the teams battle it out, the fighters will have their eyes set on the ultimate prize: a chance to make it to the UFC and further their careers in mixed martial arts. Stay tuned as this season unfolds in Las Vegas, Nevada!