The Ultimate Fighter: Team Cormier vs Team Sonnen S33E12
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Preview
In Episode 12, titled “Tested By The Fire,” the remaining welterweight semifinal takes center stage. The fighters share one last group meal on The Strip in Las Vegas before stepping into the cage. Guest coach Rashad Evans, a TUF 2 champion and UFC Hall of Famer, joins Team Sonnen to prepare Matt Dixon for the biggest fight of his season. The episode builds toward a tense showdown between Team Sonnen’s Matt Dixon and Team Cormier’s Daniil Donchenko, with the winner securing a coveted spot in the finale.
Match Card
Welterweight Semifinal: Daniil Donchenko (Team Cormier) vs. Matt Dixon (Team Sonnen)
Date & Location
Air Date: August 12, 2025, 10 p.m. ET on ESPN2 and ESPN+
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Conclusion
The fight delivered on its promise of high drama and relentless pace. Daniil Donchenko came out aggressive, landing sharp strikes early, while Matt Dixon tried to keep his composure under pressure. An elbow from Donchenko opened a nasty cut on Dixon, prompting a brief pause, but the action resumed with Donchenko surging forward. Dixon attempted to rally, yet Donchenko’s precision and volume proved too much, forcing the referee to stop the bout in the first round. With the victory, Donchenko advances to the welterweight final against his teammate Rodrigo Sezinando, while the flyweight final is set between Alibi Idiris and Joseph Morales.