Daniel Cormier takes rightful spot in the UFC Hall of Fame

Daniel Cormier takes rightful spot in the UFC Hall of Fame

Taylor Dow|
May 13, 2022|
0

During the broadcast of UFC 274, the promotion announced that former UFC Light Heavyweight and Heavyweight Champion Daniel Cormier will be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame at international fight week this July. Cormier will join his longtime friend and training partner Khabib Nurmagomedov as an inductee.

Cormier celebrating his Heavyweight title clinching win against Stipe Miocic. Credits to Sam Wasson-Getty Images
Cormier celebrating his Heavyweight title clinching win against Stipe Miocic. Credits to Sam Wasson-Getty Images

Cormier became a prominent figure in the MMA world when he won the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix in 2012 as an alternate. It was in the tournament where he finished Anontio "Bigfoot" Silva by knockout and defeated former UFC Heavyweight Champion Josh Barnett. Wins against the likes of these men legitimized him as one of the most promising prospects in the sport.

Cormier landing the final blows against Bigfoot Silva. Credits to Esther Lin-MMAFighting
Cormier landing the final blows against Bigfoot Silva. Credits to Esther Lin-MMAFighting

Cormier would find his home in the UFC after Zuffa acquired Strikeforce. After competing in two Heavyweight fights in the Octagon, Cormier made his Light Heavyweight debut with his sights set on Jon Jones. The two went on to have one of the biggest box office rivalries in UFC history.

Jones and Cormier during their first fight at UFC 182. Credits to Jeff Bottari-Getty Images
Jones and Cormier during their first fight at UFC 182. Credits to Jeff Bottari-Getty Images

In July of 2018, Cormier joined an elite group of fighters as he became one of four UFC fighters to hold two Championship titles simultaneously, after defeating Stipe Miocic at UFC 226.

Although Cormier retired from competition in 2020, he has remained involved in the sport as a play-byplay commentator and ESPN Analyst. When he's not training, commentating, working with ESPN or spending time with his family, you’ll find him teaching the next generation of Olympic Wrestlers at Gilroy High School.

Cormier taking his students through some drills. Credits to Darren Sabedra-Bay Area News Group
Cormier taking his students through some drills. Credits to Darren Sabedra-Bay Area News Group

Daniel embraced the grind as much as any fighter to ever step foot in the Octagon. You will never see him complain, you will never see him quit, you will only see him work.

Daniel Cormier is one of the most badass competitors of all time, DC faced the greatest athletes in the world on every level of wrestling and MMA. He is also the ultimate professional. As an active fighter, he always took time for the media, which led him to become one of the best TV analysts in all of sports. DC is one of the greatest ambassadors UFC has ever had, and it’s going to be an honor to induct him into the UFC Hall of Fame this summer
- UFC President Dana White on Cormier entering the Hall of Fame

Whether it be lessons in the gym, or dominance in the Octagon, Daniel Cormier is inspiring the future of combat sports and although he doesn’t qualify for the “Pioneer’s Wing”, he's helped pave the way for MMA to be where it is today.

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