The UFC might have pioneered the idea of fighting reality shows with The Ultimate Fighter but other promotions are catching up with their own innovations. Remember Arman Tsarukyan and Khamzat Chimaev squaring off as coaches in a TUF-themed clash? That took place on the Russian reality show Hype Reality, which brought its unique spin to the format. Now, two more UFC stars are set to take the stage.

Merab Dvalishvili and Petr Yan will face off as coaches in the latest season of the show. The pair share a significant rivalry stemming from their heated bout at UFC Fight Night in 2023, where ‘The Machine’ outclassed the former 135lbs champ. Fans can expect another intense showdown, this time played out through their teams.

MMA media outlet Home of Fight shared the official posters, featuring Dvalishvili, Yan, and Hype president Alfredo Auditore. The caption read, “Merab Dvalishvili and Petr Yan collabed on this poster with HYPE president Alfredo Auditore. ‘HYPE Global Reality: Team Merab Dvalishvili VS Team Petr Yan. Coming Soon… The World is Not Ready Yet.’ Same show where Khamzat and Arman participated.”

Several UFC veterans, from Brock Lesnar to Conor McGregor, have famously stepped into coaching roles on TUF. However, it came as a surprise to fans when Tsarukyan and Chimaev were selected as rival coaches for the Russian reality TV show. It also showcased a non-competitive grappling match between the duo on camera. This unexpected twist added even more intrigue to their dynamic and will Merab Dvalishvili and Petr Yan follow a similar path? Let’s see!

Chimaev and Tsarukyan collide on ‘Russian TUF’

Khamzat Chimaev and Arman Tsarukyan took their competitive spirit beyond the Octagon, clashing on camera during the Hype Reality fighting show. The two showcased their skills in a grappling session, with Chimaev ultimately asserting his dominance by locking Tsarukyan in a choke. Despite this, ‘Borz’ admitted he was surprised by Tsarukyan’s impressive fighting skills.

The session wasn’t limited to just Chimaev and Tsarukyan. The Chechnya native also sparred with Tsarukyan’s teammate, Zalimkhan Yusupov, demonstrating his grappling mastery. During the intense session, the undefeated 185fer took center stage, effortlessly tossing his opponent around the cage while maintaining a firm grip on his neck. When it came to Tsarukyan, however, Chimaev had nothing but respect for the Armenian fighter’s courage and ability.

Speaking about the encounter, Chimaev said, “Can’t argue. He weighs less than me. In wrestling, Arman himself knows our level. It was a surprise for me that Arman agreed to fight me on camera. I was sure I would win, and that happened.” Despite the size disadvantage, Tsarukyan stepped up, proving he wasn’t afraid to face a bigger opponent.

This camaraderie, albeit competitive, begs the question: will we see a similar dynamic when Merab Dvalishvili and Petr Yan go head-to-head as rival coaches on Hype Reality? Given the history between the bantamweight duo, which includes a heated UFC bout and geopolitical tensions, their interactions might be far less cordial. Could this lead to a rematch or an escalation of their feud? Share your thoughts in the comments below!