MMA News

Tag: Daniel Cormier

  • UFC Legend Weighs In On Israel Adesanya’s Future After Third Straight Loss

    UFC Legend Weighs In On Israel Adesanya’s Future After Third Straight Loss

    Israel Adesanya isn’t finished with his UFC career just yet — at least, that’s the belief of a UFC Hall of Famer.

    Once revered as one of the most dominant UFC middleweight champions, “The Last Stylebender” now finds himself in a turbulent chapter of his career, enduring one of the roughest stretches of his professional run with three consecutive setbacks.

    Most recently, Adesanya fell victim to a second-round knockout at the hands of rising contender Nassourdine Imavov in the main event of UFC Saudi Arabia, which took place last Saturday at the anb Arena in Riyadh.

    Several fans and analysts are now speculating that the 35-year-old Nigerian-born Kiwi has surpassed his peak and should consider hanging up the gloves. However, former two-division UFC champion Daniel Cormier isn’t ready to write him off just yet, believing Adesanya still has more fights left in him.

    During a recent video on his YouTube channel, “DC” offered a candid assessment of Adesanya’s future in the Octagon while breaking down the UFC Saudi Arabia headliner.

    “I believe that Adesanya is done fighting for titles, but what I do not believe is that Adesanya is done as a fighter,” Cormier said. “What I saw in round one was enough for me to believe that he could still compete. What I do believe, though, is that Israel Adesanya has earned the right to fight lesser competition right now but also less rounds.”

    Cormier went on to emphasize that “The Last Stylebender” remains one of the UFC’s top draws, possessing the skills to mount a comeback. He believes Adesanya should be given more chances to compete in three-round matchups.

    “He could fight on co-main events and would still add value to a pay-per-view. It doesn’t always have to be in those five-round main events. But when you saw what he did last weekend, Saudi Arabia, sold out, big gate, now you know why Adesanya is still being put in those positions. But in that first round I saw enough to say he can still compete. He looked fast, he looked sharp, but it’s not the speed that’s gone from Adesanya. It’s the ability to see things coming, that quickness, the vision, and when you get hit as you get older, you go down.”

    Adesanya has competed in 12 title fights, securing an 8-4 record across his total of 18 UFC appearances. “The Last Stylebender” first relinquished his middleweight title to Alex Pereira at UFC 281, only to reclaim it in a dramatic rematch at UFC 287. However, his reign was short-lived, as he lost the belt once more to Sean Strickland at UFC 293.

  • Daniel Cormier: UFC Light Heavyweight Division Is Going To Have Alex Pereira Problem For A ‘Long Time’

    Daniel Cormier: UFC Light Heavyweight Division Is Going To Have Alex Pereira Problem For A ‘Long Time’

    Daniel Cormier has witnessed firsthand what Alex Pereira can do inside the Octagon, showcasing dominant performances against some of the light heavyweight division’s best.

    Pereira is set to make his fourth title defense against former title challenger Magomed Ankalaev on March 8, at UFC 313. He won his first UFC title in just his eighth professional MMA fight and claimed his second championship in his 11th bout.

    UFC color commentator Cormier, who previously held both the light heavyweight and heavyweight titles, made it clear that he would not doubt Pereira’s abilities. In fact, he believes Pereira will be a force in the division for years to come.

    “Now one thing I won’t do is question Alex,” Cormier said on his YouTube channel. “I’m done. I won’t question whether or not he can wrestle, I won’t question any of that anymore, because he has proven it time and time again that whatever he’s doing is right and it’s allowed for him to become one of the greatest fighters of all time.

    “Yes, he is one of the greatest fighters of all time in the shortest amount of time I have ever seen anyone building a legacy that is that strong or a résumé that is that strong, never seen it.

    “I’ve never seen someone do what Pereira has done, and he’s a free spirit—maybe that free spirit allows for him to be as good as he’s been. This dude’s the man, and if he gets through this next challenge, if he gets through Ankalaev, I’m going on the record and saying that light heavyweight is going to have a ‘Poatan‘ problem for a really long time.”

  • Daniel Cormier Explains Why Alex Pereira Cornering Sean Strickland Is ‘Risky’

    Daniel Cormier Explains Why Alex Pereira Cornering Sean Strickland Is ‘Risky’

    Daniel Cormier has given his take on the growing partnership between UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Alex Pereira and former middleweight titleholder Sean Strickland. He recently cautioned Pereira about overextending himself.

    Pereira is set to defend his title for the fourth time against former title challenger Magomed Ankalaev on March 8 at UFC 313. Meanwhile, Strickland is scheduled to compete for the 185-pound belt in a rematch against current champion Dricus du Plessis on February 8 at UFC 312.

    “Poatan” will be in Strickland’s corner for the fight, marking the second time he has taken on that role.

    He was also part of Strickland’s team at UFC 297, where the American lost the middleweight title to du Plessis via a close split decision. Pereira and Strickland formed a friendship after their fight in 2022, which the Brazilian won by knockout.

    Speaking on his YouTube channel, Cormier highlighted the depth of their bond.

    “We don’t know what those training sessions look like, but I think what you don’t understand as people on the outside is it’s more than just the training,” Cormier said. “It’s the bond that’s built outside of the training. How much time are these guys spending together to build a relationship once they are outside of the gym? This, to me, tells me that Pereira and Strickland are building a relationship that’s very strong. Why? Because we already know that Pereira has a fight on the books. Las Vegas. UFC 313.

    “What we do know is that Alex Pereira is going to be fighting a guy who could be his most formidable opponent because of the style. But we also have to take into effect that his relationship with Strickland is so strong that he’s willing to travel across the world to corner him. To me, it seems dangerous. To me, it seems risky for Alex to go all the way to Australia knowing everything that goes into a training camp and how hard that travel can be on your body when you’re preparing to continue to defend your world championship. So how strong is that bond? How much does Sean Strickland now mean to Alex Pereira for him to take that risk? Because trust me, it is a risk.”

  • Robert Whittaker Has A Bone To Pick With Daniel Cormier After ‘Scummy’ Move

    Robert Whittaker Has A Bone To Pick With Daniel Cormier After ‘Scummy’ Move

    Former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker wasn’t pleased to see an image of his damaged teeth quickly circulating online last October.

    Whittaker hasn’t competed since suffering a crushing defeat at the hands of Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi.

    The undefeated “Borz” emerged victorious from his toughest test to date in emphatic fashion, locking in a face crank for the first-round submission.

    His Australian opponent tapped almost immediately due to the pressure of the submission hold displacing his front teeth. And the severity of the issue was revealed when color commentator Daniel Cormier displayed an image of Whittaker’s damaged mouth toward the end of the broadcast.

    The following month, “The Reaper” questioned the former fighter’s decision to share the image — and it would seem he’s still quite irritated.

    During an appearance on Wednesday’s episode of The Ariel Helwani Show on Uncrowned, Whittaker addressed “DC” broadcasting the image to the MMA fanbase, explaining why he would have rather it stay behind closed doors.

    “I was super annoyed! It’s such a scummy thing to do,” Whittaker said. “The doctor took a photo of my mouth and said, ‘I’m just going to go show Dana (White) and Hunter (Campbell) so that they know what’s up.’ And I’m like, ‘Cool.’ And then DC took a photo off the other guy’s phone to post all over socials. It’s like, is that not scummy?

    “I don’t care that much (about it being out there), but it looked a lot worse than it (was),” Whittaker continued. “The thing is though,, because it was posted all over the place, I was getting condolence messages, like people thought I was dead. And I would have liked to control the reaction a little better, but it is what it is, what are you gonna do?”

    Whittaker went on to note the quick nature of his recovery from what initially appeared to be a traumatic injury, with the ex-champ returning to training just four weeks later.

    He’ll now be looking ahead to his first assignment of 2025 and attempt to return to winning ways, as he looks to restart his journey back toward the 185-pound gold.

  • Daniel Cormier: Dana White Is Wrong, Arman Tsarukyan Should Get Next Title Shot Despite UFC 311 Pullout

    Daniel Cormier: Dana White Is Wrong, Arman Tsarukyan Should Get Next Title Shot Despite UFC 311 Pullout

    Arman Tsarukyan was originally set to headline UFC 311 in a lightweight title fight against reigning champion Islam Makhachev. However, an injury forced the Armenian to withdraw, costing him a chance to compete for the championship.

    Renato Moicano stepped in as a last-minute replacement, but the Brazilian was defeated via first-round submission.

    Following the event, UFC CEO Dana White stated that Tsarukyan would now have to work his way back up for another title shot. Tsarukyan himself appeared to agree, as he expressed on social media.

    However, not everyone agrees with this assessment.

    In his post-fight reaction, UFC commentator Daniel Cormier argued that Tsarukyan still deserves to be next in line for a shot at the title.

    “I believe it still needs to be Tsarukyan,” Cormier said. “Because I believe Tsarukyan, even though it’s a rematch and even though we know Charles [Oliveira] is supposed to be next, I still feel like Tsarukyan’s size, his abilities, his skill set, could present the biggest problems for Islam Makhachev.”

    Cormier also highlighted Makhachev’s dominance over the lightweight division.

    “Look at what he does to the rest [of the contenders],” Cormier said. “He has submitted or finished so many of the best lightweights in the world. Think about this — he finished Oliveira to become the champ. He finished [Alexander] Volkanovski in the rematch. He finished Dustin Poirier in his last title defense and now he finished Renato Moicano.”

    Cormier continued to praise Makhachev for accepting a short-notice fight against a surging contender.

    “Once again, Islam Makhachev proves to be the best lightweight in the world, submitting Renato Moicano in the very first round with a D’arce choke. I run out of ways to describe who Islam Makhachev is. This guy is a champion in every sense of the word. Not many guys would have accepted a fight for their belt on 24 hours’ notice against a guy that was on a four-fight win streak that you did not train for. He’s the best and he’s proving that time and time again.”

    As Tsarukyan works to regain his spot in the title conversation, the debate over who should challenge Makhachev next continues to intensify.

  • ‘F*ck them!’ – Jiří Procházka Reacts To UFC 311 Commentary Team Mentioning His Hands-Down Style

    ‘F*ck them!’ – Jiří Procházka Reacts To UFC 311 Commentary Team Mentioning His Hands-Down Style

    Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jiří Procházka wasn’t pleased to be told of one topic that came up during the broadcast of his recent victory.

    Procházka was among the biggest winners to emerge from Saturday’s UFC 311 pay-per-view in Inglewood, California, where he got the better of a fellow ex-titleholder in Jamahal Hill to reignite his hopes of a second title reign.

    The Czech fan favorite had his hand raised in an entertaining affair, following up multiple knockdowns with a fight-ending flurry toward the end of the third and final round.

    During and after the bout, “BJP” was widely praised for seemingly displaying an improved defensive game, especially in regards to his head movement.

    But during his post-fight press conference, Procházka was still unhappy to hear of the same concerns being raised by the broadcast team when it comes to one element of his approach — keeping his hands down.

    “F*ck them. I worked on that so much,” Procházka said. “(People) messaged me every day, ‘You have to keep your hands up.’ So OK, I will do that for this fight. I will keep the hands up, especially for this night.

    “(I keep my hand down because) I believe in my senses. I believe in my feeling in a fight – in my head movement. That’s why I can keep the hands down,” Procházka continued. “To be honest, in the last fight with Alex (Pereira), I was a little bit too hands down. So this is something I’ve worked on. I want to see the video from the fight (against Hill), because I believe that I (kept my hands up).”

    With such a style being widely branded counter-productive in his two efforts opposite Alex Pereira, perhaps Procházka will plan on putting even more emphasis on staying defensively responsible should his wish to meet “Poatan” for a third time come to fruition down the line.

  • ‘Team Good Guy, Team Bad Guy’ – Daniel Cormier & Chael Sonnen Announced As Coaches For Season 33 Of The Ultimate Fighter

    ‘Team Good Guy, Team Bad Guy’ – Daniel Cormier & Chael Sonnen Announced As Coaches For Season 33 Of The Ultimate Fighter

    Quickly following the announcement that the producer of the first season of The Ultimate Fighter, Craig Piligian, will be inducted into the Hall of Fame this year, the next set of coaches for TUF were announced on the UFC 311 broadcast.

    A fourth man appeared in the commentary booth as Jon Anik revealed that Daniel Cormier and Chael Sonnen will go toe-to-toe on the upcoming season.

    Unlike most instalments of the show, season 33 will not build to a fight between the coaches when everything wraps up. What you are guaranteed is plenty of hi-jinx between the two men who often co-host ESPN’s Good Guy/Bad Guy show, where they comment on the biggest talking points in the sport.

    The two men briefly went back and forth on the broadcast, setting the stage for what is sure to be an entertaining series between two of the biggest personalities in the sport. Further details including the weight classes that will feature on the series are yet to be revealed.

    Both Cormier and Sonnen have been team captains in the past, with Sonnen coaching against Jon Jones back in 2013 and Cormier going up against Stipe Miocic in 2018.

    This will be the fifth consecutive year of TUF following the three-year hiatus between 2018 and 2021.

  • Daniel Cormier Unsure Jon Jones Will Get His Rumored Price Tag For Tom Aspinall Fight

    Daniel Cormier Unsure Jon Jones Will Get His Rumored Price Tag For Tom Aspinall Fight

    Although Daniel Cormier doubts that UFC Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones will secure his rumored $30 million asking price for a fight with Tom Aspinall, he believes his former rival could still earn a substantial payout for the bout.

    The speculation about Jones’ desired payday for a title unification fight began when UFC commentator and podcaster Joe Rogan mentioned the figure during a podcast episode. The clash, which would pit the heavyweight titleholder against his interim counterpart, has been ‘guaranteed’ by UFC CEO Dana White to take place in 2025.

    Cormier shared his perspective on what negotiations between Jones and the UFC might entail during a video uploaded to his YouTube channel.

    “I’ll tell you guys, as a person who has been involved in big fights, a person who has sold pay-per-views, a person who at his time was at the top of the pay scale in the UFC as the heavyweight and light heavyweight champion, $30 million was literally a world away from anything we were making.

    “I remember when I got paid in New York, I got a big bump to take a fight on three weeks’ notice, which ultimately became my salary, and people were astounded with the number. But I will tell you, it was a fraction of what that number that he’s asking for is. It was nowhere near that. But I’ve heard now rumors that the higher-end guys are making more. The Israel Adesanya, the Jon Jones, the Stipe Miocic. I heard that Stipe Miocic made big money for the last fight.”

    Cormier believes that while Jones may not achieve the full $30 million, he could still negotiate a lucrative deal to make the fight happen.

    “Rogan thinks that the UFC will pay the $30 million to get Jon Jones in there with Tom Aspinall,” Cormier said. “I’m not sure he gets to 30, but if you ask for 30 and you end up with 20 or you get 15, that’s a win for Jon Jones on his way out.”

  • Daniel Cormier Thinks Ilia Topuria Is Poised To Become ‘Global Superstar’ In 2025

    Daniel Cormier Thinks Ilia Topuria Is Poised To Become ‘Global Superstar’ In 2025

    Ilia Topuria had an extraordinary 2024, solidifying his position as a dominant force in the UFC featherweight division.

    The undefeated fighter’s knockout victories over Alexander Volkanovski to claim the title in February and Max Holloway in October’s title defense have caught the attention of UFC Hall of Famer and commentator Daniel Cormier.

    For Cormier, Topuria’s skill and dominance are undeniable, but he acknowledges that the rising star doesn’t yet have the same name recognition as Volkanovski or Holloway. However, “DC” believes the Spaniard’s recent victories and growing exposure could propel him to superstardom.

    “You have to beat the prior generation to take from it,” Cormier explained to MMA Junkie. “It’s like [professional] wrestling. The old champion gets pinned by the new champion to build. That’s why The Ultimate Warrior pinned Hulk Hogan, and Hogan didn’t like to get pinned. But they needed him to get the rub. Now, what Ilia is going to do is take a lot of that shine from Volkanovski and Max — especially if Volk gets a rematch and he beats him again — and turn that into global superstardom.”

    Cormier emphasized that Topuria’s ability to draw numbers will be tested in fights against less established names.

    “I think he’s still got work to do at 145,” Cormier said. “Unfortunately, he’s going to beat the guys that sell early, so he’s going to have to carry Diego Lopes, he’s going to have to carry [Movsar] Evloev to numbers. Because the numbers in the weight class now for the last nine years have belonged to Volkanovski and Holloway. He’s going to have to carry those new guys because they don’t have the cache that these last two had.”

    As Topuria continues to dominate, his ability to grow into a marquee star will depend on how effectively he can translate his in-cage success into broader fan appeal, particularly against up-and-coming opponents.

  • Daniel Cormier On His 2024 Fight Of The Year Pick: ‘I’m Not Falling Victim To The Name’

    Daniel Cormier On His 2024 Fight Of The Year Pick: ‘I’m Not Falling Victim To The Name’

    When selecting his Fight of the Year candidate, UFC Hall of Famer and current color commentator Daniel Cormier prioritized performance over star power.

    While many fans have pegged high-profile bouts like Max Holloway vs. Justin Gaethje at UFC 300 — featuring Holloway’s dramatic last-second knockout — or Dricus Du Plessis’ stunning submission win over Israel Adesanya at UFC 305 as contenders, Cormier opted for a less mainstream choice. For him, Esteban Ribovics’ thrilling battle with Daniel Zellhuber at UFC 306 stood out as the year’s best.

    The bout, held at the Sphere, was a back-and-forth war filled with momentum swings. Ultimately, Ribovics emerged victorious via split decision.

    “I’m not falling victim to the name,” Cormier explained during his an episode of his Good Guy/Bad Guy show with Chael Sonnen. “As pundits, as fans, and as people who watch the sport, we often fall in love with big names. That’s why you see main event fighters earning Fight of the Night or Performance of the Night bonuses, even when there are undercard fights that are better. Just because they’re the main attraction and making more money doesn’t mean the fight itself was superior. I’m not buying into the blockbuster names.

    “My pick is Zellhuber vs. Ribovics at UFC 306,” he continued. “Remember how badly Daniel Zellhuber hurt Ribovics early? And how Ribovics turned the tables and had Zellhuber in serious trouble late? The grit and determination these two young fighters showed on Mexican Independence Day — on a huge card at the Sphere — was remarkable. It was all stand-up action, barely any wrestling, and tit-for-tat exchanges. It was as good as any fight we’ve seen this year, regardless of the names involved.”

  • Joe Rogan Praises ‘Insane Tank Of A Human’ Daniel Cormier’s MMA Career: ‘He Was A Killer’

    Joe Rogan Praises ‘Insane Tank Of A Human’ Daniel Cormier’s MMA Career: ‘He Was A Killer’

    Joe Rogan has expressed high admiration for Daniel Cormier, applauding his remarkable achievements as an undersized heavyweight and a light heavyweight champion.

    During his illustrious MMA career, Cormier earned UFC titles in both the light heavyweight and heavyweight divisions, holding them simultaneously at one point. As his career concluded, he competed as a heavyweight, cementing his legacy in the division.

    Cormier’s résumé includes victories over elite fighters such as Stipe Miocic, Alexander Gustafsson, Anthony Johnson and Dan Henderson. After retiring, he transitioned to a new role, joining Joe Rogan and Jon Anik as a commentator for UFC pay-per-view broadcasts and other programs.

    “Daniel was a light heavyweight champion and heavyweight champion,” Rogan said on a recent episode of the Joe Rogan Experience. “He was a two-division world champion and was dominating in a weight class in Strikeforce that he didn’t even belong in – heavyweight. He’s like 5-(foot)-11 – he’s not a big guy.

    “He’s just such an insane tank of a human being. His wrestling was so insane and just his will was so insane. He dominated two different divisions. He was a killer. The nicest f*cking guy you’d ever meet in your life. If you were hanging around him, you would never believe that he could pick up anybody in the room and smash them on their head.”

    In 2022, Cormier’s storied career was honored with his induction into the Modern Wing of the UFC Hall of Fame.

  • Daniel Cormier Picks ‘Most Marketable’ UFC Welterweight Champ — Snubs Muhammad, Rakhmonov, Edwards, Garry

    Daniel Cormier Picks ‘Most Marketable’ UFC Welterweight Champ — Snubs Muhammad, Rakhmonov, Edwards, Garry

    Former two-division UFC champion Daniel Cormier has given a somewhat surprising answer when pondering who would be the “most marketable” titleholder for the promotion at 170 pounds.

    The welterweight division has finished the year as one of the most talked about weight classes, largely thanks to standout contenders Shavkat Rakhmonov and Ian Garry co-headlining UFC 310 in arguably the most highly anticipated fight on the final pay-per-view card of 2024.

    The Kazakh star emerged victorious from that, keeping his ‘0’ intact and maintaining his status as top contender, which he was made to defend after an injury forced champion Belal Muhammad out.

    With that, Muhammad vs. Rakhmonov is still expected to mark the next title fight at 170 pounds. But regardless of who wins, Cormier doesn’t think the UFC will be left with the best option for peak marketability.

    During a recent episode of his Good Guy/Bad Guy show alongside Chael Sonnen on ESPN MMA’s YouTube channel, Cormier explained why the rising Jack Della Maddalena might just be the UFC’s top choice when it comes to a future welterweight champ.

    “I think Jack Della Maddalena is one fight away from becoming a guy fighting for the belt,” Cormier said. “If that fight is against Kamaru Usman, he will be rushed into that title fight. Let me tell you something about the UFC: Vince McMahon famously said, ‘I don’t like the UFC because I cannot control the outcome.’ What the UFC will do, they do know how to follow a game plan and they do know star-building.

    “So when you get a guy like Jack Della Maddalena who has an entire country behind him, that everybody is excited about, they will find a way to get him into the position if he earns it,” Cormier continued. “So, if he beats a Kamaru Usman, there will be no other obstacle because, if I am being honest with you, right now at 170 (pounds), the most marketable guy as a champion right now is Jack Della Maddalena because of where he’s from, because of the entire country behind him, and because of the way they are excited about him.”

    Della Maddalena is currently being brought up in the discussion for Comeback of the Year for 2024, having prevented a certain defeat on the scorecards by knocking Gilbert Burns out with just over a minute left in their fight at UFC 299 this past March.

    The Australian hasn’t competed since, and after missing out on a home fight in Perth this year, it appears that the striking specialist may also be absent from the Sydney-held UFC 312 lineup next February following a recent report from Alex Behunin.

  • Daniel Cormier Blames ‘Mental Fatigue’ For Ilia Topuria’s Callout Of Charles Oliveira

    Daniel Cormier Blames ‘Mental Fatigue’ For Ilia Topuria’s Callout Of Charles Oliveira

    Daniel Cormier has shared his thoughts on why UFC Featherweight Champion Ilia Topuria might lack the motivation to defend his title, despite his dominant performances against elite competition.

    Topuria’s recent victories include knockout wins over Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway, with the latter marking the first time “Blessed” has ever been finished via strikes during their bout at UFC 308 this past October.

    The Spaniard recently revealed his interest in moving up to the lightweight division for a potential fight against top contender Charles Oliveira. He also hinted that his days competing at 145 pounds might be behind him.

    Cormier, speaking on his Funky and the Champ show alongside Ben Askren, suggested that Topuria’s mindset could be affected by a type of mental fatigue rather than physical exhaustion.

    “When you beat the best guys, especially the two guys that ruled the division for so long, there can be a little bit of fatigue in there,” Cormier said. “It’s not like muscle fatigue; it’s mental fatigue. You have to be so up to do what he did to Max Holloway and to do what he did to Volkanovski. I don’t care what people tell you. The only ones that believed he would do what he did were Ilia Topuria and his team. You don’t knock out Max Holloway. He knocked out Volkanovski. You don’t do those things back-to-back.”

    While contenders such as Movsar Evloev and Diego Lopes are waiting in the featherweight division, Cormier believes Topuria may struggle to find motivation after defeating such iconic names.

    For now, it appears the champion’s sights are set on new challenges at lightweight, where bigger fights and greater stakes may reignite his drive.

  • Daniel Cormier On ‘Weird’ Muhammad-Rakhmonov UFC 310 Faceoff: ‘I Don’t Think It Served The Purpose That You Want’

    Daniel Cormier On ‘Weird’ Muhammad-Rakhmonov UFC 310 Faceoff: ‘I Don’t Think It Served The Purpose That You Want’

    Daniel Cormier has joined many fight fans in critiquing the staredown between UFC Welterweight Champion Belal Muhammad and Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 310, describing the moment as underwhelming.

    The faceoff took place after Rakhmonov’s victory over Ian Garry, which positioned him as the next contender for Muhammad’s title. The originally planned headliner between “Remember the Name” and “Nomad” was canceled after the champ withdrew due to a toe infection.

    When Muhammad was finally allowed inside the Octagon for the staredown, the interaction remained respectful, which Cormier felt lacked the intensity needed to hype the fight.

    “I’ve got to be honest. It was weird,” Cormier said on his YouTube channel. “I don’t love faceoffs when you have a translator, especially when Belal, as much as people want to hate him, he’s not a disrespectful guy. So it doesn’t make that moment that you’re looking for when you bring a champion into the ring.”

    Cormier compared the moment to other notable post-fight interactions, highlighting the promotional value that was missing.

    “When (Alexander Volkanovski) came in after (Ilia) Topuria beat Max (Holloway), they shook hands and they left. It was very respectful. But you understood what they were saying. When (Sean) O’Malley was in there, and he was about to fight Aljo (Aljamain Sterling) for the belt, Merab (Dvalishvili) takes the jacket, that makes a memory. This tonight, I don’t think it served the purpose that you want, as a promotion, in regards to what you’re going to do to try to build that fight.”

    While the staredown was meant to ignite anticipation for their potential title fight, Cormier believes the lack of drama or significant engagement may have fallen short of its promotional goal.

  • Daniel Cormier Pitches Next Fights For O’Malley, Yan, Figueiredo At Bantamweight

    Daniel Cormier Pitches Next Fights For O’Malley, Yan, Figueiredo At Bantamweight

    Former UFC double champion Daniel Cormier has some matchups in mind for the bantamweight division in 2025, including the next outings for Sean O’Malley and Petr Yan.

    The 135-pound weight class is entering the new year with a fresh champion at the helm and a number of hungry contenders chasing him down.

    Merab Dvalishvili achieved his title ambitions on MMA’s biggest stage by dethroning O’Malley inside the Sphere this past September. While “Suga” eyes a shot at redemption in his return from injury next March or April, Umar Nurmagomedov sits as the consensus number one contender.

    In spite of the Georgian’s ongoing attempts to push that matchup away, the Dagestani has plenty of support when it comes to his claim to an opportunity, including from Cormier.

    During a recent episode of his Good Guy/Bad Guy show alongside Chael Sonnen on ESPN MMA’s YouTube channel, Cormier pointed to Dvalishvili vs. Nurmagomedov as the logical next title fight in the bantamweight division.

    And in terms of how the rest of the top names should be matched up, “DC” has some ideas for that too.

    “There is a bunch of guys at 135 that need to be matched up. So I figured, it’s time for some matchmaking,” Cormier began. “For the title…easy, Merab vs. Umar. … Then I go Yan vs. Sandhagen (2) as my second fight, Chael. Because then it gives you a clear number one contender.

    “Sean O’Malley needs a big fight, right? You know who else needs a big fight? Henry Cejudo. These guys have a beef, an easy beef to sell…I say put Sean O’Malley in there with the former champion Henry Cejudo. That means more than a win over Cory Sandhagen,” Cormier continued. “After that, I’m going Figgy (Deiveson Figueiredo) vs. Dominick Cruz. And my last one, Chael, we’ve got to give Mario Bautista a chance. … I’m giving him (Marlon) ‘Chito’ Vera.”

    It remains to be seen whether or not the UFC higher-ups will share Cormier’s view of the division. For now, it doesn’t appear the champ himself does.

    Having previously pointed to others as more worthy of challenging for his gold than Nurmagomedov, Dvalishvili most recently called for a rematch with Yan following “No Mercy’s” decision win over Figueiredo in Macau last weekend.

  • Bo Nickal Unhappy With Commentary Of UFC 309 Win: To Hear DC Say, ‘He’s Not Ready For Khamzat…’

    Bo Nickal Unhappy With Commentary Of UFC 309 Win: To Hear DC Say, ‘He’s Not Ready For Khamzat…’

    UFC middleweight prospect Bo Nickal has continued to defend his performance on Saturday night — this time against what he’s branded “disappointing” commentary.

    Nickal extended his perfect professional MMA and UFC records on the main card of this past weekend’s UFC 309 pay-per-view, getting past his toughest test to date in the form of Paul Craig.

    But the American wrestling specialist wasn’t tested in the Scotsman’s domain, with the three-round affair playing out entirely on the feet. That led to a less than exciting contest, which the crowd inside Madison Square Garden let the two fighters know.

    Boos rained down following the fight and throughout Nickal’s Octagon interview, and they were only amplified when the undefeated 185lber dismissed the fans’ complaints and expressed joy at how he performed.

    As it turns out, the paying audience weren’t the only ones with an opinion that Nickal thoroughly disagreed with…

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWBveUtLBMo

    During an appearance on Monday’s episode of The Ariel Helwani Show on Uncrowned, Nickal took issue with the cageside commentators after watching back his victory over “Bearjew” in New York City.

    Nickal appeared particularly frustrated by Daniel Cormier apparently writing off his chances against Khamzat Chimaev based off that performance.

    “The commentary and just hearing the way that they were looking at the fight, it made me feel like they didn’t know what was going on as much,” Nickal said. “Because anybody that I’ve talked to that are people that I trust and shoot straight with me were like, ‘Dude, you shut that guy out. Domination. It was a flawless fight.’ Then to hear ‘DC’ say things like, ‘Oh, he’s not ready for Khamzat [Chimaev]’ — I think he was trying to be respectful but also maybe set me down a peg. It was just weird to hear.

    “It was a little disappointing to hear those comments from people that I respect a lot. What was going on in these guys’ heads? It just makes me feel like they don’t know what was happening,” Nickal continued. “It’s confusing because I’m like, ‘Wait, what? How do you get that from that?’ I didn’t even really get touched. It’s so crazy.”

    Cormier wasn’t the only one sharing that sentiment — and getting pushback from Nickal soon after.

    Former welterweight title challenger and middleweight contender Darren Till suggested the same in a more colorful fashion on social media. The decorated wrestler gave a short and sweet reply, attaching a GIF of “The Gorilla’s” knockout loss to Jorge Masvidal in 2019.

  • Daniel Cormier Defends Jon Jones Against Claims Of Ducking Tom Aspinall

    Daniel Cormier Defends Jon Jones Against Claims Of Ducking Tom Aspinall

    Jon Jones’ most vocal critic, Daniel Cormier, is standing by him against accusations that “Bones” is dodging a showdown with Tom Aspinall.

    Jones is set to make his first heavyweight title defense against Stipe Miocic in the UFC 309 main event, taking place this Saturday at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

    The buildup to this highly anticipated matchup has been overshadowed by widespread accusations within the MMA community, with many claiming that Jones is intentionally sidestepping a title unification bout against interim champion Aspinall. The New Yorker stirred up controversy once again last week, expressing little enthusiasm for the fight.

    Jones claims that Aspinall’s performances inside the Octagon have failed to spark any real excitement for a potential matchup. He further stated that, unless he retires after UFC 309, the only fight that piques his interest at this stage is a showdown with light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira.

    Jones’ remarks have once again provoked insinuations that he’s avoiding a showdown with Aspinall, supposedly fearing a loss as his career nears its twilight. However, Cormier firmly rejects this idea, even though he doesn’t fully endorse the reasoning of his former fierce rival.

    During a recent video on his YouTube channel, “DC” recognized the legendary career of Jones and emphasized that the former UFC light heavyweight champion harbors no fear of Aspinall or any other competitor.

    “Look, Jon Jones isn’t afraid of Tom Aspinall,” Cormier said. “I wish people would stop saying that. He is not afraid of that guy. He is not afraid of anyone. He is not afraid to fight this guy. He’s not. I think he’s trying to be more strategic. He’s trying to make sure his legacy stands. I don’t know it could ever be faded. I know we have short memories, but could you ever forget what he did? I don’t think him fighting Tom Aspinall with the potential he would lose is a bad thing.

    “But most would expect him to win the fight. But at the end of the day, the old guard has to get passed through for the new guard to go. Unless you don’t play the sport by the way that everyone else does it. Everyone else does it that way. Maybe Jones will be different.”

  • Daniel Cormier: ‘Sharpest Businessman’ Dana White Can Make Jon Jones vs. Francis Ngannou

    Daniel Cormier: ‘Sharpest Businessman’ Dana White Can Make Jon Jones vs. Francis Ngannou

    Francis Ngannou couldn’t have had a better return to MMA as he knocked out Renan Ferreira in the first round to win the PFL heavyweight championship on October 19, 2024. Jon Jones, on the other hand, is finally returning to the Octagon against Stipe Miocic on November 16, 2024.

    Ngannou was the UFC heavyweight kingpin before Jones moved up to the division. Many fans eagerly wanted to see them fight, but before anything could materialize, Ngannou left the UFC and signed with the PFL. He also boxed in high-profile matchups against Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua.

    “The Predator” was recently asked on The Ariel Helwani Show if he could still fight “Bones”. The lineal heavyweight MMA champion claimed that the superfight is not completely off the table and that figures like Turki Alalshikh might play a role in it.

    Alalshikh, as the head of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, has helped organize several major combat sports events over the last few years.

    Daniel Cormier reviewed Ngannou’s statements on his YouTube channel recently. He admitted that White’s rocky relationship with the PFL champ is a problem, but Riyadh Season’s inclusion could shake things up.

    The former UFC champ mentioned that Riyadh Season sponsoring UFC 306 was a huge development, and might have laid the foundation for crossovers like Jones vs. Ngannou.

    “Dana does not like Francis, that is a massive problem. Massive problem. But hell, when in the world do you put that over business. I don’t know that he will, he’s one of the smartest, sharpest businessman you’ve ever met. If the dollars make sense, the fight could potentially happen,” DC continued. “If Francis is to be believed, and Francis has had these conversations, we’re now entering a world where multiple partnerships already established in this realm. ESPN UFC, ESPN PFL, Riyadh Season UFC. Ladies and gentleman, maybe, just maybe, we get that fight.”

    DC also believes White is smart enough to put personal differences aside for a lucrative business opportunity. He isn’t sure that Ngannou and Jones will fight in MMA, but he’s not ruling out the possibility entirely.

  • Daniel Cormier Explains Why He Avoids Interviewing Conor McGregor

    Daniel Cormier Explains Why He Avoids Interviewing Conor McGregor

    Even if you’ve lived under a rock, you might have heard about the conflict between Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov. The UFC lightweight superstars fought for the title in October 2018, and soon after submitting the Irishman in the fourth, Nurmagomedov jumped over the Octagon to attack Dillon Danis.

    UFC 229 ended with one of the most heated brawls in the promotion’s history. To this day, “The Eagle” has never tried to mend his relationship with McGregor and they’re likely rivals for life.

    Nurmagmedov’s close relationship with former UFC double champ Daniel Cormier is also no secret. The duo makes for a popular bromance in MMA circles and over the years, their bond has strengthened considerably. So much so that Nurmagomedov and Cormier consider each other as close as family.

    During the latest episode of 3 Rounds on his YouTube channel, Cormier admitted to no longer approaching McGregor for interviews and other media interactions. The reason? “The Notorious” conflicts with “The Eagle.”

    “I don’t try to request McGregor for interviews. I don’t think that I would get him but I’m just saying it’s not a request I make every time I’m there. But this like, part of the course for these dudes. Because honestly, Khabib’s not just a teammate. He’s family. And they’re like that with everyone and they feel like if someone’s in conflict, especially at the level that Jones and I. Jones and I were in conflict, they’re very stern in the side they pick. And it’s kind of refreshing because most people aren’t like that guys. They’re just not, especially us, as Americans. So, watching that, that wasn’t crazy for me. Dude, he really is the man. Khabib is the man. He’s got to be one of the most genuine humans I’ve ever met.”

    The former UFC heavyweight champ also highlighted the time when Nurmagomedov claimed Jones would never be a friend because of the latter’s conflict with DC. Cormier acknowledged that the undefeated UFC lightweight’s philosophy is not very common in the United States, but he agrees with it now.

    Both Cormier and Nurmagomedov have retired from MMA, but it is safe to assume their close friendship will remain strong behind the scenes.

  • Cormier: Max Holloway Should Look For Lesser ‘Challenge’ Than Dustin Poirier In Lightweight Return

    Cormier: Max Holloway Should Look For Lesser ‘Challenge’ Than Dustin Poirier In Lightweight Return

    Former two-division UFC champion Daniel Cormier hopes to see Max Holloway work his way up the the competition levels at 155 pounds.

    A new chapter in the illustrious career of Holloway appears set to get underway in 2025. After falling short of regaining the featherweight title last month in Abu Dhabi, the fan favorite will soon bid farewell to 145 pounds.

    “Blessed” hinted at a permanent move up to lightweight in the immediate aftermath of his first knockout loss at the hands of Ilia Topuria, and he subsequently confirmed that decision this past weekend.

    Courtesy of his BMF title-winning knockout of Justin Gaethje this past April, Holloway already finds himself inside the top five at 155 pounds. With that in mind, a potential title eliminator against a high-ranked name could be awaiting him.

    Cormier, though, hopes that isn’t the case.

    During the latest episode of his Good Guy / Bad Guy show alongside Chael Sonnen on ESPN MMA’s YouTube channel, Cormier acknowledged that bouts against the top names in the lightweight division will be available for Holloway.

    “DC,” however, would much rather see the Hawaiian start from the ground up.

    “He’s asking for Dustin Poirier. That would be absolutely fantastic. But is there a better way to introduce Max Holloway into the lightweight division?” Cormier said. “Do we put him in there with a Dustin for a third time? Or do we see what happens with Michael Chandler after he fights Charles Oliveira? Or do we start to kind of look down the rankings a little bit, Chael, and say, ‘Well, it would be fun to watch him fight a Rafael Fiziev. It would be fun to watch him fight a Benoît Saint Denis. It would be fun to watch him fight a Paddy Pimblett.’

    “I know that might not be fun for Max, might not be great for Max, but it would give him an opportunity to work his way back into contention without being in there with these absolute killers,” Cormier continued. “Personally, I would like to see Max Holloway not stand across from Dustin Poirier, Justin Gaethje, Alexander Volkanovski. … Something not as crazy of a challenge.”

    Unfortunately for Cormier, his pleas may prove to be too little, too late.

    The ball seems to be firmly rolling on a third chapter in Poirier and Holloway’s story, with the former recently giving his approval to “Blessed’s” callout on social media.

  • Daniel Cormier: McGregor Had ‘Great Power’ At 145, But Not The ‘Skills’ Of Topuria

    Daniel Cormier: McGregor Had ‘Great Power’ At 145, But Not The ‘Skills’ Of Topuria

    Former two-division UFC champion Daniel Cormier is full of praise for featherweight kingpin Ilia Topuria following this weekend’s pay-per-view event.

    Topuria cemented his grip on the crown at 145 pounds on Saturday in Abu Dhabi, where he headlined UFC 308 opposite fan-favorite legend Max Holloway eight months on from his knockout of Alexander Volkanovski.

    Despite being faced with a previously indestructible chin, “El Matador” vowed to put Holloway down for the first time. And against the predictions of many, the 27-year-old did just that after connecting with a vicious left hook in round three.

    With the result, Topuria has added a successful defense to his reign, remained undefeated in MMA, and staked a strong claim for 2024’s Fighter of the Year accolade.

    Among those running out of superlatives for the Spaniard is Cormier, who analyzed where the champ sits among the all-time featherweight greats during a video uploaded to his YouTube channel.

    Plenty of comparisons have been made between Topuria and Conor McGregor in recent times, and the Irishman has even dismissed the reigning titleholder’s talents compared to his featherweight iteration.

    “DC,” however, sees parts of “El Matador’s” game that go above and beyond McGregor’s.

    “I don’t know if we have ever seen a guy at 145 that punches like this dude. He hits like no one I’ve ever seen before,” Cormier said. “Conor McGregor had great power at 145, but Conor McGregor I don’t think had the skills that Ilia Topuria has in terms of his pure boxing, without going and fighting a pure boxing match.

    “I was talking to some of the people in the back and they told me, ‘He’s like GGG (Gennadiy Golovkin),’ and I agree. Remember GGG just used to starch dudes early in his career? Topuria’s like that. Topuria is that guy,” Cormier continued. “He has that power to knock you out and just do it in absolutely devastating fashion. You try to find the words to describe him, but it’s proving very, very difficult. I never thought that anybody would be able to knock out Max Holloway.”

    While getting McGregor back to the cage to fight Michael Chandler proved too much of a challenge in recent years, talk of him doing battle with Topuria has suddenly gained strength in the aftermath of UFC 308.

    Volkanovski will evidently have something to say about that, however, having been confirmed as next in line for Topuria by UFC CEO Dana White following the Abu Dhabi-held PPV.

  • Daniel Cormier: Sean Strickland Should Be Worried About Khamzat Chimaev

    Daniel Cormier: Sean Strickland Should Be Worried About Khamzat Chimaev

    Daniel Cormier was impressed by Khamzat Chimaev’s performance on Saturday night at UFC 308, where Chimaev scored a decisive first-round victory over Robert Whittaker in their co-main event bout.

    The former UFC light heavyweight and heavyweight champion believes that Chimaev has now done enough to leapfrog Sean Strickland for the next title shot. Strickland had been expecting a title fight rematch against champion Dricus Du Plessis.

    Sealed Deal

    However, according to Cormier, Chimaev’s dominant win over Whittaker, which included breaking Whittaker’s jaw, has solidified his position as the top contender.

    “He went and beat him in the first round. And if you’re Sean Strickland, that result worries you,” Cormier said. “Why? Because Mick Maynard, sitting next to me, jumps up and runs to Dana, and they start talking with Hunter [Campbell]. Dana immediately follows Chimaev to talk to him. That’s a concerning sign for a guy considered the No. 1 contender, because it tells you things are happening. Khamzat Chimaev, to me, solidified himself as the No. 1 contender at 185 pounds. His wrestling, his top control, his mentality, his approach—it’s unlike many things we have seen.”

  • Daniel Cormier Reacts To Rinat Fakhretdinov’s UFC 308 Commentary Criticism: ‘I Don’t Care, That Dude Lost’

    Daniel Cormier Reacts To Rinat Fakhretdinov’s UFC 308 Commentary Criticism: ‘I Don’t Care, That Dude Lost’

    UFC 308 featured one of the most controversial decision outcomes in some time as Rinat Fakhretdinov beat Carlos Leal via unanimous decision. Had this fight not opened up the card in Abu Dhabi, there would likely be more discussion around it right now.

    The decisions throughout the remainder of the night appeared to follow the consensus opinion but the opener certainly raised alarm bells that we might be in for a bumpy ride.

    All three judges had different scorecards with one of them, Hade Mohamed Ali, scoring all three rounds for Fakhretdinov which seemed incredibly unlikely when the final bell sounded. Leal, who stepped in on late notice, put up a very good fight and looked like he may have secured a big upset on his UFC debut.

    When the scorecards were announced, there was a surprised reaction from fans online and from the UFC staff inside the Etihad Arena on Saturday night. The decision was heavily criticised by the commentary booth of Jon Anik, Paul Felder and Daniel Cormier who discussed the scoring when the cards were shown on the broadcast.

    Fakhretdinov responded to this in his post-fight press conference, labelling them as “really bad commentators” who would give across the impression of biased judging.

    In his immediate reactions video posted on his YouTube channel once the main event came to a close, Cormier responded to Fakhretdinov’s comments. “DC” doubled down on Leal winning the fight when he gave shout-outs to the winners of each fight on the prelims.

    “Congratulations to… and Rinat Fakhretdinov, who did not win that fight. Rinat Fakhretdinov, I don’t care if he goes on any press conference and complains about our commentary, that dude lost! But still, congratulations, even though I think it was one of the worst decisions I’ve seen in a really long time.”

  • Daniel Cormier: It’s Never Been Clearer That UFC Has ‘No Competition’ After PFL Event 

    Daniel Cormier: It’s Never Been Clearer That UFC Has ‘No Competition’ After PFL Event 

    Daniel Cormier is confident that the UFC won’t struggle to maintain its status as the MMA leader following the recent PFL pay-per-view.

    The Professional Fighters League has long looked to establish itself as a “co-leader” in the sport of mixed martial arts, and the promotion had one of its most important events to date this past weekend.

    In Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the PFL’s latest PPV went down. Toward the end of what’s been an up and down first year post-Bellator acquisition, the organization looked to thrill audiences with the likes of Francis Ngannou and Cris Cyborg.

    Those two names headlined, competing for and winning inaugural super fight championships. While the Brazilian won hers in a memorable five-round war opposite Larissa Pacheco, “The Predator” rolled through Renan Ferreira in under four minutes to successfully mark his comeback to the cage.

    Suffice to say, the card ended in style and with plenty discussing the events that unfolded inside The Mayadeen. But when it comes to the PFL’s production as a whole, many remain unimpressed.

    That notably included UFC star Conor McGregor, who insisted that his employer has “zero competition” in a now-deleted tweet during the PFL event.

    And during a recent episode of his Good Guy / Bad Guy show alongside Chael Sonnen on ESPN MMA’s YouTube channel, Cormier shared that sentiment.

    “It’s competition, but is it really competition? The WWE and AEW has some sort of competition. The WCW, when they were there, was competition to the WWE,” Cormier said. “Conor McGregor spoke on this last weekend. He said, ‘The UFC has no competitors.’

    “I felt like, even though we were watching the biggest star outside the UFC, it was never more clear to me that there really is no competition,” Cormier continued. “Is it good that the UFC doesn’t have a competitor that can really push them?”

    The PFL appears more than happy with how the Battle of the Giants PPV played out and was received, however. Founder and chairman Donn Davis claimed as much during a recent Town Hall-style interview with MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck.

    He painted a contrasting picture when it comes to the PFL’s prospects of becoming legitimate competition, citing his organization’s “research” to state that the viewership figures for the Oct. 19 card outperformed those of every UFC event of 2024 thus far.

  • Daniel Cormier Brands Aspinall The World’s Best Heavyweight Over Ngannou, Jones

    Daniel Cormier Brands Aspinall The World’s Best Heavyweight Over Ngannou, Jones

    Former two-division UFC champion Daniel Cormier believes Tom Aspinall currently holds the global heavyweight crown over both Jon Jones and Francis Ngannou.

    The debate surrounding who sits top spot as the world’s best heavyweight has picked up again following a standout performance from Ngannou this past weekend in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

    Headlining a PFL pay-per-view, “The Predator” debuted in the SmartCage by battering Renan Ferreira on the ground and rendering the Brazilian unconscious in the very first round. The result came in Ngannou’s first MMA bout since January 2022.

    With the Cameroonian back in the discussion, he appears to be battling the UFC’s heavyweight champ, Jones, and his interim counterpart, Aspinall, for the global throne.

    And although much of the discussion post-fight for Ngannou has centered around a long-desired clash with Jones, Cormier said during a recent episode of his Good Guy / Bad Guy show alongside Chael Sonnen on ESPN MMA‘s YouTube channel that they would be competing for silver.

    After dismissing Ngannou’s claim to superiority over Jones and Aspinall, “DC” said he’d back the Englishman to beat both “The Predator” and “Bones,” leaving him as the best heavyweight in the world.

    “I don’t believe he’s the best heavyweight, not Francis,” Cormier said. “I think the best heavyweight is Tom Aspinall, still. I still believe the best heavyweight in the world right now is Tom Aspinall. I think Jon is, but he’s older now. I think Aspinall’s still young, he’s fresh. There is something to not having everything yet. When you have everything, it’s hard, man. This guy Tom still doesn’t have everything. Sure, he’s headlined a couple of pay-per-view. But he’s not making seven figures every time he walks into the Octagon. He hasn’t been making a million dollars for 10 years like Jon Jones.

    “I believe that Jones right now has everything. … There was a time he could go through anything to stay champion. Can he still do that? … Can he dig as deep as he did against Alexander Gustafsson?” Cormier continued. “Aspinall sure has a lot of questions, but when you look at these dudes all on paper, I would favor Tom to beat Francis, I would favor Tom to beat Stipe (Miocic), and I would actually favor Tom to beat Jon Jones right now.”

    It remains to be seen what lies ahead in MMA for Ngannou, but given his position away from the UFC and the uncertainty surrounding suitable opposition, he may struggle to change the minds of those sharing Cormier’s sentiment.

    Aspinall himself has cited Ngannou’s opponent options away from the Octagon as the reason why he doesn’t consider the Cameroonian a candidate for best-heavyweight status.

    The Manchester native is confident that he holds that distinction, but he unfortunately won’t have the chance to prove it next time out. Much to his bemusement and the frustration of many fans, Jones won’t be unifying the title next month.

    Instead, the former light heavyweight kingpin is set to put his gold on the line at UFC 309 against Miocic, who hasn’t competed since a knockout loss to Ngannou back in March 2021.