Daniel Cormier first coached The Ultimate Fighter back in 2018 where every contestant had an undefeated record.
Cormier is back to coach against Chael Sonnen on the 33rd season with both men having prior experience of the reality show.
Team Sonnen went up against Team Jon Jones on season 17, while ‘DC’ clashed with Stipe Miocic ahead of the first of their three encounters at UFC 226.
‘The Ultimate Fighter: Undefeated’ (season 27) ended up being relatively successful in terms of the level of talent that it was able to provide a platform for.
However, the competitor that was Cormier’s first selection to join his team has now suggested that his career has come to an early end due to his current financial situation.
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Tyler Diamond says he doesn’t ‘have the desire to fight for pennies’ in retirement post
Tyler Diamond has stated on Instagram that his MMA career is likely over having competed 18 times as a pro because he doesn’t believe that competing is worth the financial reward.
After Daniel Cormier won the coin flip at the start of season 27, the American became the light heavyweight champion’s first-round pick, largely due to his wrestling background.
Diamond was eliminated from the series in the semi-finals, fighting once at the final before going on to compete six times in the PFL.
“More than likely, you’ve seen me compete for the last time,” he wrote on social media.
“I’m in the prime of my life right now & feel the best I’ve ever been, but I simply don’t have the desire to fight for pennies.”
Diamond went 3-3 in the PFL, beating the likes of Brett Johns with his losses coming to high level opposition in Brendan Loughnane, Movlid Khaybulaev and Enrique Barzola.
The 34-year-old stated that he’s looking forward to exploring what’s next for him with the Team Alpha Male fighter looking back without too many regrets.
“You don’t get to always get to control your own destiny & there’s a lot of things outside of my control, but overall I’m satisfied with what I did in the sport.
“I’ve missed out on many opportunities in life, so I’m excited to see what some of my next steps could be without having to dictate my life around fighting.
“It was fun. Thank you to everyone that cared & followed along.”
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Three alumni from The Ultimate Fighter season 27 are still in the UFC today
Tyler Diamond’s UFC career ended at the series finale where he was beaten by the biggest name to have appeared on season 27, Bryce Mitchell.
The controversial figure has gone on to become a staple of the featherweight division’s top 15 with wins over the likes of Dan Ige and Edson Barboza.
Team Miocic’s Kyler Phillips was eliminated in the first round of the series but he’s now 6-2 inside the Octagon with the #12-ranking next to his name in the bantamweight division.
The man that produced the upset against Phillips, Brad Katona, has had an incredibly unique journey at the highest level.
After winning season 27, Katona was released from the UFC after back-to-back losses only to become the first fighter to ever win two seasons of The Ultimate Fighter, beating Cody Gibson in the TUF 31 finale to make his way back onto the roster.