Why Daniel Cormier Picked Artem Belakh First on TUF 34

The Ultimate Fighter 34 | Team Cormier's First Selection When Daniel Cormier stepped to the board for his first selection on The Ultimate Fighter 34, he didn't hesitate. After Michael Bisping used the first overall pick on Xavier Franklin, Cormier immediately responded by selecting Artem Belakh, the reigning LFA Bantamweight Champion. For casual fans, the pick may have come as an introduction. For those who have followed Artem's rise through the regional scene, it came as no surprise. The Russian prospect enters TUF 34 with championship experience, international training, and the kind of résumé that suggests he's already competing at a level above most reality-show prospects. A Champion Before Entering the House Unlike many fighters who arrive on The Ultimate Fighter hoping to prove themselves, Belakh entered the competition as a champion. The Krasnodar native built his reputation throughout the regional circuit before eventually capturing the LFA Bantamweight Championship, one of the most respected titles outside the UFC. His championship victory at LFA 222 showcased exactly why so many people around the sport have been paying attention. Belakh defeated Vinicius Pires by unanimous decision to claim the belt and improve his professional record to 11-2. Winning fights is important. Winning championships is different. Championship fights require composure, preparation, and the ability to perform under pressure. Those are qualities coaches look for when selecting fighters on TUF. Cormier saw them immediately. Why Belakh Fits Team Cormier Daniel Cormier's own career was built on fundamentals. Elite wrestling. Smart decision-making. Mental toughness. Consistent execution. Belakh checks many of those same boxes. While he possesses legitimate finishing ability, he's not a reckless fighter who chases highlights at the expense of position. He fights with discipline, understands distance, and has shown the ability to make adjustments throughout a fight. Those are traits coaches love. They're also traits that tend to win tournaments. The Tiger Muay Thai Advantage One of the most intriguing aspects of Belakh's development is his decision to train at Tiger Muay Thai in Thailand. The gym has become one of the most respected training camps in mixed martial arts, producing UFC contenders and champions across multiple weight classes. Training in that environment exposes fighters to elite-level striking, grappling, conditioning, and world-class training partners. For Belakh, it has helped transform him into a more complete mixed martial artist. He isn't simply relying on one weapon. He's developing a game built to compete against the best fighters in the world. Finishing Ability Matters Championships get attention. Finishes create excitement. Belakh has demonstrated both throughout his career. Before arriving in major regional promotions, he built a reputation for putting opponents away and forcing referees to step in. That combination of winning and finishing is one of the reasons many observers view him as one of the favorites entering TUF 34. The Ultimate Fighter has always rewarded athletes who can rise to the moment. Belakh appears built for those moments. The Coach Bergen Show Connection Before stepping into the TUF house, Artem Belakh joined The Coach Bergen Show to discuss his career, mindset, and journey through mixed martial arts. The appearance gave fans a chance to see a different side of the future TUF competitor and learn more about the man behind the championship résumé. For Fight Plan Pro readers looking to get familiar with Belakh before the season unfolds, it's worth a listen: 🎧 The Coach Bergen Show – Episode 29 Featuring Artem Belakh https://open.spotify.com/episode/2qztSt0k8bX3edWJ9b8CpH As TUF 34 progresses, that conversation may become even more interesting as fans look back at what Belakh had to say before entering the biggest opportunity of his career. Fight Plan Breakdown The biggest lesson from Daniel Cormier's first selection is simple: Coaches trust proven winners. Athleticism matters. Potential matters. But when UFC contracts are on the line, coaches often prioritize athletes who have already demonstrated they can win championships and perform under pressure. Belakh's résumé offered exactly that. Cormier wasn't drafting a prospect. He was drafting a champion. What's Next? Being selected first by Daniel Cormier immediately places expectations on Artem Belakh. Every fighter in the house knows his credentials. Every opponent understands the target attached to his back. Now comes the difficult part. Living up to the hype. If Belakh performs the way many expect, TUF 34 may simply be the next chapter in a journey that ultimately leads to the UFC roster. Daniel Cormier believes he has what it takes. The rest of the MMA world is about to find out if he's right.