Daniel Cormier, or DC, has one of the saddest yet most inspirational backstories of any MMA fighter. He lost his beloved ones through various accidents, and missed the bronze medal in the Olympics for Wrestling by an incredibly small gap and bad luck. However, he did not give up and chose to become an MMA fighter. Even when he lost the title to Jon Jones, who was using illegal steroids at the time, he came back and defended his Light Heavyweight belt three times. Furthermore, he defeated Stipe Miocic (widely known as the greatest heavyweight of all time) at Heavyweight to become the second fighter to hold two belts simultaneously in two weight classes.
DC is renowned for his exceptional wrestling career in the world of MMA. Having competed in the national team at -96kg and achieving notable successes such as a 4th place finish in the 2004 Athens Olympics and serving as the American wrestling national team captain in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Cormier’s wrestling prowess is unparalleled in the MMA world. His achievements include a bronze medal in the World Championships, a remarkable six consecutive victories in the Pan American Wrestling Championships, and both gold and bronze medals in the Pan American Games. Even esteemed fighters with wrestling backgrounds like Cain Velasquez respect and open themselves up to learn valuable lessons from Cormier.
In addition to his wrestling skills, Cormier possesses high-level kickboxing abilities. Despite his somewhat “chubby” physique, he showcases remarkable agility, defying the typical expectations associated with such body types. His feats include lifting much larger opponents like Alexander Gustafsson, Stipe Miocic in the heavyweight division, and Josh Barnett with ease.
Cormier’s stand-up game is characterized by fast hand speed and excellent defense, making it challenging for opponents to land punches on his face. However, his most significant strength lies in his ability to apply pressure, particularly following takedowns. This has earned him the moniker ‘Grinder,’ highlighting his exceptional control and dominance once he secures a superior position. Beyond being a ground-and-pound specialist, Cormier strategically employs ground and pound, effective elbows, and submission threats from the half-guard position, often securing rear-naked chokes from the advantageous back positions as he applies more pressure later on.
His use of dirty boxing, leveraging impressive upper body strength, is of a high standard. Once in close proximity, opponents find it difficult to break free, often becoming akin to sandbags for Cormier. This is evident in his fights against Gustafsson, where Cormier maintained control during clinch exchanges. Cormier excels in distance fighting, wrestling-based standing pressure, and a somewhat unpolished but effective boxing style generating significant strikes, considering his opponents’ stature, reach, and physical condition.
Cormier’s striking skills include the use of the long guard. Despite having a shorter reach and limited step utilization due to stamina concerns, Cormier employs the long guard offensively, inducing wrestling-style hand fighting with extended arms. His upper body strength allows him to initiate clinches and attempt takedowns after releasing opponents’ grabbed wrists. In addition to proficient use of the long guard, Cormier strategically incorporates jabs and kicks in various situations, showcasing flexibility and head movement to prevent easy punches.
While Cormier has numerous strengths, he does face some challenges. His stature within the weight class is shorter, and he lacks defense against body shots. Stamina issues become evident in later rounds, as seen in the Jon Jones fight, where he faded and suffered defeat. Cormier’s defense against kicks is relatively weaker compared to his punch defense. Despite his excellent takedown abilities, opponents may exploit his vulnerability to body attacks. Cormier’s pride in his wrestling abilities sometimes leads him into big grappling battles, as seen in the Jones fight, where a relentless wrestling contest drained his stamina without gaining an advantage.
Cormier faced challenges associated with aging, making weight cutting increasingly difficult. Despite this, he proved his competitiveness by defeating Stipe Miocic in the first round.
Overall, DC’s illustrious career in MMA was marked by his exceptional wrestling skills, high-level striking abilities, and a unique fighting style that combines effective striking with dominant ground control.
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