Daniel Cormier expressed his frustration after witnessing his fighter, Tumelo Manyamala, get eliminated from the tournament in the latest episode of *The Ultimate Fighter* (TUF) Season 33. The competition continues to heat up as Cormier, coaching against his ESPN co-host Chael Sonnen, has seen his team suffer setbacks in recent matchups.
In Episode 7, which aired on July 8, 2025, the flyweight division featured a critical bout between Manyamala and Roybert Echeverria from Team Sonnen. Despite an initial strong performance from Manyamala, who dominated the first round, Echeverria turned the tide in the second round. He secured a takedown and ultimately won the fight with a rear-naked choke submission, leaving Cormier visibly disappointed.
“That’s trash, dude,” Cormier remarked from the corner immediately after the fight. “That was an easy fight.” His frustration continued in the backroom, where he addressed Manyamala directly, urging him to learn from the experience. “You should have won that fight. Remember what you’re feeling right now and make sure it doesn’t happen to you again,” Cormier emphasized.
The outcome of this matchup marked a turning point in the competition, as Team Sonnen closed the gap, reducing Cormier’s lead to 4-3 in the overall standings. This shift has heightened the anticipation for the final opening round fight, which will feature Sonnen’s first pick, Diego Bianchini, against Cormier’s first pick, Rodrigo Sezinando.
Both fighters have shown their competitive spirit throughout the series, setting the stage for a highly anticipated match next week. Should Bianchini secure a victory, it would equalize the teams heading into the semi-finals, with both sides poised to have four representatives.
As the tournament progresses, Cormier’s passion for coaching remains evident, and his commitment to building a successful team is clear. He has expressed intentions to further explore this role beyond the current season, possibly establishing his own team in the future. The competitive rivalry between Cormier and Sonnen continues to capture the attention of fans, with both teams striving to gain an advantage in the coming weeks.
With only one opening round matchup remaining, the stakes are high as the fighters prepare to leave everything in the octagon.
