Sports
Warrior Profile: Daniel Cormier – Taking a glance at one of the most famous modern warriors
BY MARCEL MARIAK
When people imagine a stereotypical professional fighter, they usually envision a towering, lean, muscular tank of a man. For the most part, the stereotype is correct. Professional fighters are elite athletes, surrounded by a professional team of coaches, nutritionists, doctors, and psychologists who ensure the fighter is in the best possible shape they can be.
While the vast majority of fighters keep their bodies lean and muscular to complement their fighting style, some unique fighters tailor their fighting style to their bodies. The focal point of this week’s Warrior Profile is a combatant who shatters the stereotype of how a professional fighter looks and behaves. Introducing: Daniel “DC” Cormier! The former Heavyweight and Light Heavyweight UFC champion, and one of the most popular fighters in the martial arts world!
Early Career
DC was born and raised in Lafayette, Louisiana, with his two older siblings, Felicia and Joseph Cormier. He began competitively wrestling in the ninth grade and his talent for grappling quickly became apparent. Throughout secondary school, DC collected one wrestling medal and award after another; and by the end of high school, Daniel Cormier had acquired an unbelievable 101-9 competitive record. After high school, Cormier went to Oklahoma State University to get a degree in sociology and compete in NCAA Division 1 wrestling. He finished college with a 53-2 record; after which he went on to compete in the 2004 and 2008 Olympics.
Starting his MMA Career
Following the 2008 Olympics, DC joined the American Kickboxing Academy in San Jose, California; where he began to train mixed martial arts and refine his striking and grappling. Soon, Cormier was ready for his professional MMA debut. He travelled to Australia where he fought for the Extreme MMA promotion. There, he won the XMMA Heavyweight Championship.
Cormier would continue to travel around the world competing and winning titles in various MMA promotions until 2013 when he began his career with the UFC.
Competing in the UFC
On April 20th, 2013, DC made his UFC debut in the Heavyweight division against Frank Mir where he won by unanimous decision. Cormier had another fight in the Heavyweight division which he also won by unanimous decision against Roy Nelson. After that, Daniel Cormier moved to the Light Heavyweight division in order to avoid competing with his American Kickboxing Academy teammate and the Heavyweight Champion at the time, Cain Velasquez. In the Light Heavyweight division, DC continued to excel. He eventually won the UFC Light Heavyweight championship and defended the title four times. In December of 2018, DC relinquished his title in order to move up to the Heavyweight Division where he won the UFC Heavyweight Championship against Stipe Miocic. Cormier defended his championship once before Miocic returned to successfully reconquer his lost title.
What’s next for Cormier?
Cormier is scheduled to fight again on August 15th, 2020; in what will easily be one of his most anticipated fights. The battle will feature the third and final showdown between Daniel Cormier and Stipe Miocic. With both fighters having defeated the other for the title, it’s only fitting that their rivalry be settled once and for all with an epic battle. Both warriors are formidable and famous fighters; and with Miocic having a significant height and reach advantage over DC, Cormier has a tough battle ahead of him if he wishes to recapture the UFC Heavyweight title!