Daniel Cormier is one of the great combat sports athletes of all time, the first to ever defend UFC belts in two divisions. And – to an extent that feels like tragedy – there was always one person better.
DC started wresting at 11, and was a three-time high school Div I All American, but never took first. He wrestled at Oklahoma State University, and in 2001, came in second, behind Cael Sanderson. He represented the USA in freestyle in the 2004 Athens Olympics and placed 4th; the next Olympics, rules changed so 4th earned a bronze medal. But at the 2008 Moscow Olympics, he suffered renal failure while weight cutting and withdrew. In 2005, he won gold at the Golden Grand Prix Ivan Yarygin, which may be the best wrestling tournament on Earth, but it’s not the world championship or the Olympics.
In 2012, he won the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix, ragdolling Jeff Monson, Bigfoot, and Josh Barnett. But it wasn’t the UFC.
He won the UFC light heavyweight championship, but lost to current champion Jon Jones twice, although the second was overturned to an NC after Jones tested positive for turinabol metabolites. He won the UFC heavyweight championship, but lost to Stipe Miocic two of three times, including Saturday night.
Before UFC 252, Cormier was asked what would happen in he lost.
I’m a guy with a big ego, and that would suck, he replied. I’ve got to be honest. To think there would be two guys in my career that were just better than me, and I had multiple chances to beat them, and I didn’t get it done … Yeah, it would suck.
He lost, and after the fight talked about it with fellow commentator Joe Rogan, who struggled to hold back tears.
It just sucks, being on the losing end of two big fights and trilogies,” said Cormier. “It’s a very sad position to be in. But I will deal with it as I’ve dealt with things in the past. I’m not interested in fighting for anything but titles, and I don’t imagine there’s going to be a title in the future. So that’ll be it for me.
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At the post-fight press conference, UFC president Dana White was asked to comment on Cormier.
The best. The guy has been the best to work with. He is easy. He wanted to fight everybody,” said White. He is willing to do anything. He is a great guy. He is a great ambassador to the sport. It’s been fun.
“I think me saying he won’t retire is my kind of hoping he does not retire. But whatever he decides to, I am happy for him. If he wants to fight, I’m happy for him. If he want to retire, I’m really happy for him too.
White was asked if he thought Cormier was done fighting?
I’ll let him do his thing. I am not gonna comment on it,” said White. I didn’t talk to him. He walked right out of the Octagon, did his interview, and I’m assuming he is on his way to the hospital. … I just think, Cormier the way that that guy is, the competitor he is, he says I’m not going out like that. I don’t know, that’s my prediction.
Cormier’s line, “I’m not interested in fighting for anything but titles” would appear to leave the door open, however slightly. What’s your prediction UG, does DC fight again? And if he does, what are the odds he at last, for the first time, becomes the best in the world?
