Daniel Cormier

At 45 years old, Daniel Cormier has this physical status:

Background and wrestling career

Cormier was born and raised in Lafayette, Louisiana. Cormier is Joseph and Audrey Cormier's son. Joseph, his older brother, Felicia, and a younger brother named Ferral are among his siblings. When Cormier was seven years old, his father was shot and killed on Thanksgiving Day in 1986 by the father of his second wife.

Cormier, a high school wrestler, won 3 Louisiana state championships in wrestling. Cormier never lost twice after ninth grade, both by injury default. His final high school record was 102–9, with 89 of his victories coming by a fall. He was twice named the state tournament's best wrestler. Cormier received a bronze medal in the Greco-Roman Wrestling cadet (15–16 years old) division in 1995. He was also an all-state football player at high school in the linebacker position and ran a personal record of 4.5 seconds in the 40-yard dash. Cormier was offered a scholarship to play football at LSU but decided against continuing to compete in wrestling.

He attended Colby Community College in Kansas, where he was a two-time junior college national champion at 197 pounds in 1998 and 1999. He was 66-00, with 33 falls. After Colby, Cormier attended Division I Oklahoma State University. Cormier's record was 26–5. He qualified as the third seed in the national tournament at 184 pounds but fell a match shy of becoming an all-American (given to the top 8 finishers in each weight class). Cormier was 27-55 years old in 2001. By winning the finals of the 184-pound weight class, in which he lost 8–4 to Cael Sanderson, he became an all-American. With 27 falls, his last record was 53–10. Cael Sanderson was responsible for 6 of Cormier's losses.

Cormier left OSU with a degree in sociology and went on to have a fruitful career in Freestyle Wrestling. He served for Team USA as the senior national champion from 2003-2008 and portrayed the United States at the world level for each of those years. He was ranked at 96 kilograms, or 211.6 pounds. After losing to Khadzhimurat Gatsalov in the semifinals, he came 4th at the 2004 Olympics. Cormier was also a member of the 2008 Olympic wrestling team for the United States, where he was named team captain but was suspended from action due to excessive weight cutting.

Cormier finished in the top five at the Wrestling World Championships in 2003 and 2007. At the 2007 Olympics, he captured a bronze medal. In 2003, Cormier claimed gold at the quadrennial Pan American Games. Cormier was one of a select few Americans to win a gold medal at the Golden Grand Prix Ivan Yarygin, which was held in Krasnoyarsk, Russia, and is considered by some to be the world's most difficult wrestling tournament.

In the now-defunct Real Pro Wrestling tournament, Cormier competed and represented the Oklahoma Slam team. In 2004, he was named a champion in the 211 lb weight class for the first and only season. While he was wrestling in Real Pro Wrestling, he was teaming up with fellow Strikeforce mixed martial arts competitor Muhammed Lawal, who also won the 184 lb weight class.

Cormier, the head wrestling coach at Gilroy High School, was hired in the summer of 2018. Cormier was inducted into the LHSAA Hall of Fame in April 21, 2021, for his sporting achievement.

Mixed martial arts career

Cormier decided to pursue a career in mixed martial arts following the 2008 Olympics. He trained with Cain Velasquez, Jon Fitch, and Josh Koscheck at the American Kickboxing Academy. It made him grow as a striker and submission wrestler.

Cormier, who made his professional debut in September 2009, moved to Australia and fought for Xtreme MMA. On July 31, 2010, he defeated Lucas Browne to win the XMMA Heavyweight Championship. Cormier captured his second MMA title two weeks later by defeating Tony Johnson's KOTC Heavyweight Championship.

Cormier agreed to an eight-fight contract with the Strikeforce group and debuted at Strikeforce Challengers: Kennedy vs. Cummings, defeating Gary Frazier by TKO.

Cormier competed in the Strikeforce Challengers: Johnson vs. Mahe on March 26, 2010, in Fresno, California, where he defeated John Devine by KO.

Cormier defeated Strikeforce: Houston on August 21, 2010, losing Jason Riley via submission (punches) at 1:02 in the fight.

In Nashville, Tennessee, Cormier next met Devin Cole at the Strikeforce Challengers: Woodley vs. Saffiedine contest on January 7, 2011. He gained unanimous consent for the first time in a fight of his own.

Cormier had intended to face Shane del Rosario at Strikeforce: Overeem vs. Werdum on June 18, 2011 in Dallas, Texas, but his opponent had been injured in a car collision and was forced to withdraw from the contest. Cormier was beaten by decision over Jeff Monson. Cormier dominated Monson on the feet and did not allow for any takedowns, negating Monson's submission skills.

Despite Cormier's reservations about participating in the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix due to inexperience, height, and relative disadvantage over the rest of the field, he nevertheless entered and met Antônio Silva on September 10, 2011, replacing Alistair Overeem. In a shocking surprise, he won the fight via KO (punches), cramming Silva with several blows to the jaw, causing him to collapse, and then ending with two hammer blows to the ground Silva's face before the referee could stop the match. Cormier later revealed that he had broken his hand during the confrontation.

At Strikeforce: Barnett vs. Cormier, he met fellow finalist Josh Barnett on May 19, 2012, a second-place confrontation. Cormier won the five-round match by unanimous vote (49–46, 50–45, and 50–45), earning the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix Champion. Cormier broke his right hand during his bout with Barnett, causing him to have hand surgery.

Cormier was supposed to face Frank Mir, the former UFC Heavyweight Champion, on November 3, 2012, at Strikeforce: Cormier vs. Mir. Mir had been forced to pull out of the match due to a traumatic injury, according to a tweet on September 19.

At Strikeforce: Cormier vs. Dion Staring On January 12, 2013, Cormier defeated Dion Staring: Marquardt vs. Saffiedine. In the second round, he triumphed via TKO.

Cormier debuted against Frank Mir on April 20, 2013, at UFC on Fox 7. He gained the fight by a unanimous vote. Cormier considered moving down to the UFC's light heavyweight division due to Cain Velasquez, Cormier's teammate. Any writers questioned Cormier's potential to cut down to the 205 mark safely, citing the fact that he suffered from kidney disease while wrestling as an Olympic wrestler when trying to make 211 lbs. He gained 40 pounds after struggling to qualify for the Olympics.

Cormier defeated Roy Nelson at UFC 166 on October 19, 2013 in his second UFC match. He was able to win the contest by a unanimous vote. He revealed that whether you win or lose, he will be going back to the light heavyweight division prior to the match. Cormier weighed in for the fight at 224 pounds, more than 20 pounds lighter than previous competitions.

In his first fight at light heavyweight, Cormier was supposed to face Rashad Evans at UFC 170 on February 22, 2014. However, a leg injury had forced Evans off the track ten days before the game, and Patrick Cummins was brought to him. In the first round, Cormier prevailed by TKO.

Cormier was briefly linked to a match with Rafael Cavalcante at UFC 175. Cormier will now face Dan Henderson at UFC 173, according to a note. Cormier choked Henderson to win by technical submission in the third round after dominating the contest with his wrestling and top game.

When Daniel Cormier competed in an exhibition wrestling match against Chris Pendleton at the UFC Fan Expo, he was selected as spokesperson for his new Cage Fighter signature wrestling shoe.

After Alexander Gustafsson was forced to leave due to a torn meniscus, Cormier was supposed to face UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones at UFC 178 on September 27, 2014. However, Jones, who cited an injury, was compelled to pull out of the match on August 12. The brawl took place at UFC 182. Cormier was defeated by Jon Jones by a unanimous vote at UFC 182; Both fighters were given a Fight of the Night bonus.

At UFC Fight Night 68, Cormier was supposed to face Ryan Bader on June 6, 2015. Jon Jones had been barred from the light heavyweight championship and suspended indefinitely after being charged with criminal injury arising from a traffic crash in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on April 28, 2015. Cormier was suspended from the Badger fight and replaced Jones against Anthony Johnson on May 23, 2015 for the vacant title. Cormier was defeated by an overhand right by Johnson in the first seconds of the match. Cormier defeated the next two rounds and submitted Johnson by rear-naked choke in the third round, becoming the new UFC light heavyweight champion. In 2011, it was the last time the championship had changed hands. Cormier was given a Performance of the Night bonus for the fight.

On October 3, 2015, Cormier met Alexander Gustafsson at UFC 192. Cormier won the back-and-forth war with a split decision (47–48, 48–47, and 49–46). Both participants were awarded Fight of the Night awards for their efforts.

Cormier announced in November 2015 that he had signed a new, eight-fight deal with the NFL.

On April 23, 2016, a rematch with Jon Jones was scheduled to take place at UFC 197. Cormier, on the other hand, pulled out of the match due to a foot injury, and Ovince Saint Preux was brought to the rescue. At UFC 200 on July 9, 2016, the rematch with Jones was postponed. Jones and Cormier's match was postponed due to a potential doping offence, according to Jon Jones. In a 3-round non-title match at the tournament, Cormier defeated former UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva. Cormier was voted unanimously, winning the fight.

Anthony Johnson was supposed to face Anthony Johnson at UFC 206 on December 10, 2016. However, Cormier pulled out of the match due to sickness on November 25, 2016. The pairing was rescheduled again on April 8, 2017, at UFC 210. Cormier was 1.2 pounds over the 205 pound maximum for a light heavyweight championship fight when he was allowed a second weigh-in and came in at the 205 maximum. Anthony Johnson unexpectedly took a grappling-based strategy during the fight, and Cormier was able to keep his title with a submission victory in the second round.

Jon Jones' rematch took place at UFC 214 in Anaheim, California, on July 29, 2017. Jones won by knockout in the third round after a head kick and a slew of strikes on the ground, recapturing the light heavyweight championship by knockout.

"I guess if he wins both fights there is no rivalry," a tearful and emotional Cormier expressed sadness for the loss in the post-fight interview. On Twitter, commentator Joe Rogan apologised for Cormier's interview when Cormier was unable to recall his thoughts after being knocked out of the fight.

Jones had been flagged for a potential doping offence by USADA, based on his test result, which was collected after weigh-ins on July 28. Oral Turinabol, anabolic steroids, was positive, according to him. As a result of the positive drug test, Jones was put on a provisional suspension. On September 13, USADA reported that the "B" sample of Jones' had tested positive for Turinabol. As a result, the CSAC officially changed the match result to a no-contest, and the light heavyweight championship was returned to Cormier. In an interview with TMZ on September 18, Cormier said he was open to a third fight with Jon Jones after Jones' suspension was postponed.

On season 27 of The Ultimate Fighter, Cormier coached opposite Stipe Miocic.

Volkan Oezdemir was defeated by Cormier at UFC 220 on January 20, 2018. After dominating Oezdemir throughout the game, he defeated Oezdemir in the 2nd round. Since winning, he was awarded the Nightcapet.

On July 7, 2018, Cormier faced Stipe Miocic for the UFC heavyweight championship at UFC 226. He won the first round by knockout, becoming the second fighter to hold two titles simultaneously in the UFC. Cormier is one of four fighters to have competed in two UFC championships simultaneously as of August 17, 2019. He was named the Night of the Night after a lengthy fight. Cormier's victory brought Brock Lesnar out of the audience and into the octagon to face the new champion.

Cormier would defend his heavyweight championship against Derrick Lewis at UFC 230 on October 9, becoming the first man to sue Lewis in MMA. Cormier became the first UFC fighter to win and defend both the Light Heavyweight and Heavyweight belts, as well as the first UFC fighter to defend both the Light Heavyweight and Heavyweight belts. "I'd rather walk away this way than have the history books declare I was barred," Cormier said about the light heavyweight championship a day before UFC 232.

Cormier decided to confront Miocic after the potential match with Brock Lesnar never materialized, but Lesnar later decided to re-sign with the WWE instead. The rematch took place on August 17, 2019, just over a year after the first match. Despite his early success, Cormier lost the fourth round by TKO, effectively ending his tenure as the heavyweight champion.

At UFC 252 on August 15, 2020, Cormier and Miocic's trinket took place. Cormier lost by unanimous decision and announced his retirement from the sport.

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