Daniel Cormier is the Ultimate Fighting Championship light heavyweight and heavyweight king. For his next outing, Cormier will defend his heavyweight title against Derrick Lewis in the UFC 230 main event on Nov. 3 at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
As the big day draws close, here are five things that you might not know about the dual champion known as “DC:”
1. He has won a belt in every promotion he has competed for.
Cormier is one of only five fighters to have claimed a UFC belt in more than one weight division. And it is not only with the Las Vegas-based promotion that Cormier has shone. DC has claimed titles in every promotion he has turned out for. His accolades include Strikeforce heavyweight grand prix champion (2012), King of the Cage heavyweight champion (2010) and Xtreme MMA heavyweight champion (2010).2. He was an outstanding wrestler.
During his time at Northside High School, the young Cormier claimed three Louisiana State Championships in wrestling. Other accomplishments during his school days include twice being voted the outstanding wrestler of the state tournament and winning a bronze medal in the Greco-Roman Wrestling World Championships cadet division. Further wrestling success ensued at Colby Community College, and later Oklahoma State University, where he achieved all-American status. After graduating, Cormier embarked on what was to prove an outstanding freestyle wrestling career. His résumé boasts six consecutive years (2003-2008) as U.S. national wrestling champion. Throughout this period, Cormier represented his country at international wrestling events. In 2004, he competed in the Olympics, where he took fourth place. Four years later, in 2008, DC went to the Olympics for a second time, but disaster struck when he was unable to participate due to kidney failure, the culmination of trying to cut too much weight.3. He has heavy hands.
Cormier may have transitioned to MMA from the wrestling mat, but these days more often than not he relies on his punching power to dispatch opponents. Ten (48 percent) of his 21 victories have come by way of KO/TKO. His other wins have comprised 4 (19 percent) by submission and 7 (33 percent) via decision.4. He is no stranger to heartbreak.
Cormier was only seven when his dad was shot and killed on Thanksgiving Day, 1986. Later, while studying at college, Cormier lost a close friend in an airplane accident. In 2003, tragedy struck again, when Cormier’s daughter Kaedyn perished in a car accident. The aftermath proved to be a very difficult period for DC. But, although heartbroken by the tragedy, he had the fortitude to persevere. Cormier once stated in an interview, “I started thinking to myself, I could still honour her, my daughter Kaedyn, in everything I do going forward.”5. He was a star football player at high school.
It was not only the wrestling mat where DC shone during his high school days. He was also an accomplished linebacker, who achieved all-state football player status. Cormier’s attributes included power, a relatively low centre of gravity and quick feet. During his schooldays, he recorded a personal best of 4.5 seconds in the 40-yard dash. Cormier’s successes on the football field resulted in an offer of a scholarship to play football at Louisiana State. However, DC turned them down because he wanted to continue wrestling.We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.