TUF 34 Team Draft Grades: Who Won the Draft?

The Ultimate Fighter 34 | Team Cormier vs. Team Bisping The first episode of The Ultimate Fighter 34 wasn't just about introductions. It was about strategy. With UFC contracts on the line, Daniel Cormier and Michael Bisping were tasked with building teams capable of surviving one of the toughest competitions in mixed martial arts. Every selection carried weight. Every pick revealed a little bit about how each coach views talent, potential, and championship upside. While the real winner won't be determined until the season ends, Episode 1 gave fans plenty to debate. Who drafted the better roster? Let's hand out some early grades. --- Team Cormier Notable Picks - Artem Belakh - Rodrigo Vera - Abdul Hussein - Mehemmedeli Osmanli Strengths Daniel Cormier appears to have prioritized experience and proven winners. His first selection, Artem Belakh, immediately set the tone. Belakh enters the competition as the reigning LFA Bantamweight Champion and one of the most accomplished fighters in the house. The rest of Team Cormier follows a similar theme. Several fighters arrive with strong professional records, championship experience, and extensive cage time. Rather than swinging for upside alone, Cormier appears to have built a roster designed to handle pressure. That's often what wins tournaments. Concerns The biggest question surrounding Team Cormier is whether experience can overcome athleticism. While several fighters have impressive résumés, some prospects on Team Bisping may possess higher physical ceilings. If Team Cormier struggles anywhere, it could be against younger athletes who develop rapidly throughout the season. Best Value Pick Rodrigo Vera With a professional record of 21-1-1, Vera might end up being one of the biggest steals of the draft. Many fans focused on Belakh's championship credentials, but Vera's experience could prove equally valuable once the tournament begins. Team Grade A Cormier built a team full of proven competitors. There's very little risk on this roster. --- Team Bisping Notable Picks - Xavier Franklin - Additional top prospects and rising contenders Strengths Michael Bisping's first overall selection of Xavier Franklin immediately showed confidence. Bisping appears to have focused on athletes with upside, explosiveness, and room for growth. That approach mirrors much of his own career. Bisping was never the most decorated athlete entering the UFC, but he constantly improved and found ways to exceed expectations. His draft strategy appears to reflect that mindset. Concerns Potential is exciting. Consistency wins tournaments. Some of Team Bisping's fighters may have tremendous upside, but they'll need to prove they can perform under the spotlight that comes with TUF. The pressure inside the house has broken many talented fighters over the years. Best Value Pick Xavier Franklin Being selected first overall automatically places expectations on Franklin. If he performs the way Bisping believes he can, he may become one of the breakout stars of the season. Team Grade A- There is a lot to like about Team Bisping. The roster may have more athletic upside than Team Cormier, but there are slightly more question marks attached to some of the selections. --- Biggest Winner of the Draft Artem Belakh No fighter left Episode 1 with more momentum. Being Daniel Cormier's first pick immediately elevated his profile and positioned him as one of the favorites to win the competition. Belakh entered the season with championship experience. Now he enters with expectations as well. --- Biggest Question Moving Forward Can Team Cormier's experience overcome Team Bisping's upside? That's the central storyline emerging from Episode 1. One side appears built around proven winners. The other appears built around growth and potential. As the season unfolds, we'll find out which philosophy works best. --- Fight Plan Breakdown Drafts aren't won on paper. They're won through preparation, coaching, and execution. The fighters who improve the most during the season often outperform the athletes with the strongest résumés. That means these grades could look very different by the time the finale arrives. For now, Team Cormier earns a slight edge based on championship experience and proven success at the regional level. --- Final Grades Team Cormier — A Strengths: Championship experience, proven winners, tournament-ready competitors. Team Bisping — A- Strengths: Athletic upside, development potential, high-ceiling prospects. Early Draft Winner 🏆 Team Cormier The margin is small, but Daniel Cormier's emphasis on proven champions gives his team the early advantage heading into the first fights of TUF 34.