BREAKING: TUF 33 Flyweight Teams Revealed
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Filming for the new season of The Ultimate Fighter is officially underway. TUF 33 is set to feature Daniel Cormier and Chael Sonnen as coaches. They will be leading teams of male flyweight and welterweight fighters in the series’ signature tournament format.
16 contestants have moved to Las Vegas to live and train under one roof. This time, the fighters will be under the guidance of two UFC legends. Based on videos posted by UFC bantamweight Elijah Smith, we believe we’ve identified the four flyweights on Team Sonnen: Roybert Echeverria, Furkatbek Yokubov, Arshiyan Memon, and Joseph Morales.
Following his son’s big win at UFC Vegas 102, it appears Gilbert Smith was invited to the tapings. In a video posted on his Instagram Story, Smith reflected on how returning to TUF felt like a full-circle moment for him, having previously competed on Seasons 17 and 25 of The Ultimate Fighter.
Read about the four flyweights on Team Sonnen:
Roybert “The Unbroken” Echeverria
Fighting out of: Miami, Florida
Gym: The Goat Shed
Roybert Echeverria’s journey to the UFC has been nothing short of grueling. After a recent career resurgence, “The Unbroken” finally gets his shot at the big stage.
Echeverria began his amateur career with a modest 6-3 record before turning pro in 2020 with Titan FC. He quickly built an impressive 7-0 record. He ended up securing five finishes along the way, which earned him a shot on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2022. There, he faced fellow Brazilian prospect Jafel Filho, but suffered a third-round knockout loss.
Following his DWCS appearance, Echeverria opted not to return to Titan FC. Instead, going 1-1 on the regional circuit before signing with APFC. He then shocked fans with a head-kick knockout upset over Eimar Hernandez. In doing so, he secured a title shot at APFC 14 against Cody Linne. Once again, Echeverria defied the odds, winning by decision and claiming the APFC Flyweight Championship.
Furkatbek “Iron Man” Yokubov
Fighting out of: Uzbekistan
Gym: TKMMAFIT
Furkatbek Yokubov is part of the wave of Eastern Asian martial artists making their mark in North America. The Uzbek fighter is currently riding a four-fight winning streak, with all victories coming via finish.
He began his career on the Chinese regional circuit, amassing a 6-0 record before facing adversity in bigger promotions. He suffered three consecutive losses between 2019 and 2021. Since 2022, he has only been defeated once—falling to a guillotine choke against Yamato Fujita at UAE Warriors 44.
Yokubov rebounded in dominant fashion, capturing the BFC Flyweight Championship last March and showcasing his striking skills in Karate Combat. His most recent victory came via wheel kick at LFA 196.
Joseph “Bopo” Morales
Fighting out of: Sacramento, California
Gym: Team Alpha Male
One of the most compelling storylines in this season of The Ultimate Fighter, Joseph “Bopo” Morales is getting another shot at the UFC—seven years after his departure.
Morales turned pro in 2014 following an undefeated amateur run, quickly amassing an 8-0 record across various regional promotions. In 2016, he captured gold with GKO before delivering a highlight-reel knockout of Sean Santella at CFFC 64. A performance that earned him a UFC contract in front of the Lookin’ for a Fight crew.
He made an impressive debut, submitting fellow undefeated prospect Roberto Sanchez via first-round rear-naked choke, earning a Performance of the Night bonus. However, his next fight came against future flyweight champion, Deiveson Figueiredo, where he suffered a knockout loss. A razor-close split decision defeat to Eric Shelton marked the end of his UFC tenure, as he was released shortly after.
It took Morales three years to return to professional competition, where he secured two victories under the Cage Warriors banner. He then earned a shot at the inaugural A1 Combat Flyweight Championship against Anthony Do at A1 Combat 8. He won the title, however, he hasn’t fought since then.
Arshiyan Memon (7-0)
Fighting out of: Maharashtra, India
Gym: THE BLOCK Indonesia
A relatively unknown name outside of hardcore prospect circles, Arshiyan Memon is looking to become the face of the UFC in India. He will be the first Indian fighter to compete on The Ultimate Fighter.
What sets Memon apart is his finishing ability—he has maintained a 100% finish rate since the start of his career. Though he debuted in 2016, it wasn’t until 2021 that he fully committed to the sport. His most impressive victory came in his last fight, a first-round finish of Govind Singh at Matrix Fight Night 15.
Team Cormier Flyweights
If the four fighters mentioned previously are confirmed to be on Team Sonnen, then Team Cormier’s flyweight roster would consist of: Tumelo Manyamala, Imanol Rodriguez, Eduardo Henrique, and Alibi Idiris.
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