Daniel Cormier - trash talks and Quotes
Power, Heart & the Most Human Champion
In a sport that often celebrates intimidation over intimacy, Daniel Cormier became something rare: an all-time great who never stopped feeling real. A retired legend, Hall of Famer, former double champion, and now the voice of the UFC broadcast desk, DC is remembered not just for what he conquered—but for how openly he carried the weight of it. He was the Everyman who climbed to the summit of combat sports without pretending the climb didn’t hurt.
Cormier’s verbal style is defined by emotional authenticity fused with elite competitive pedigree. He never hid behind mystique or false calm. When he won, he roared. When he lost, he cried. And when he spoke, it came from a place fans instantly recognized as genuine. His iconic post-fight declaration
“I’m the double champ! I’m the man!”
wasn’t scripted bravado; it was release. Years of doubt, criticism, and being labeled “too small” poured out in one raw moment that permanently cemented his legacy.
That vulnerability made his rivalries burn hotter. Against Jon Jones, DC’s words carried obsession, resentment, and reluctant respect all at once. He didn’t reduce Jones to a caricature—he confronted him as a man who represented everything DC despised and feared. Calling Jones a liar and a cheater while still acknowledging his greatness captured the most honest rivalry MMA has ever seen. It wasn’t just about belts. It was about validation, morality, and shadows that wouldn’t fade.
At his core, Cormier was always a wrestler. His philosophy reflected that grounding: pressure over flash, control over chaos.
“If I can take you down, I can break your spirit”
wasn’t trash talk—it was a worldview forged through Olympic-level discipline. DC never pretended to be faster or sleeker than opponents like Stipe Miocic; instead, he leaned into weight, grit, and inevitability. That honesty made his dominance believable.
What elevates DC beyond championships is his evolution. Today, as the UFC’s lead commentator, he brings unfiltered joy to the desk. Moments like
“THUG ROSE! THUG ROSE!”
revealed a man who loves the sport as much as he once ruled it. He transitioned seamlessly from feared champion to the ultimate fan—bridging generations of fighters and viewers with enthusiasm instead of ego.
In today’s MMA landscape, Daniel Cormier’s words matter because they preserve the soul of the sport. He proves greatness doesn’t require detachment. You can be emotional, undersized, doubted—and still stand among the best to ever do it.
Below is a chronological timeline of Daniel Cormier’s most defining statements—from championship roars and rivalry confessions to commentary desk joy. Read closely. DC’s legacy isn’t just written in belts—it’s written in honesty, heart, and the courage to feel everything along the way.
Daniel Cormier's Statements About Other Fighters
“Jones and I argued about fighting each other in a boxing match, which I agreed to do. And the one that caught fire the most was the wrestling thing... Regardless of the respect for the fighting ability, there’s a desire to compete against each other in something... Do something to make us be on the opposite side of the line, to where Jon and I compete our fight.”
– via Daniel Cormier TV and Red Corner MMA, revealing that his private discussions with Jon Jones while filming ALF Reality in Thailand have evolved from verbal sparring into legitimate talks about a cross—sport competition.
“Stay tuned, because if he steps on that line, I’m taking this dude 10—0, like I said. For the rest of my life, there’s going to be a desire to compete with Jon Jones, and I’m okay with that”
– via Daniel Cormier TV, predicting a dominant shutout victory over Jon Jones if they ever meet in a pure freestyle wrestling match.
“Usman is one of the greatest welterweights of all time. I think also for people that are trying to dismiss Kamaru, because people are trying to dismiss Kamaru as a threat – remember how he fought Khamzat. Khamzat has destroyed just about everybody, and if it was a five—round fight, many felt Kamaru Usman had the opportunity to beat him. That was up a weight class”
– via Red Corner MMA, warning fans and analysts not to underestimate Kamaru Usman in a potential superfight against the new double champion, Islam Makhachev
“It’s so satisfying. All I want is for him to be better than I ever was. All you want for your brothers is to do better than you. I want every record I ever held at American Kickboxing Academy to belong to someone else by the time I’m done and gone”
– via his Fighters Advice YouTube series, reflecting on Islam Makhachev’s historic achievement of becoming a two—division champion.
“I don’t know what conversations that they are having behind closed doors are because they’re telling him something that’s making him okay with it, right? Because if he wasn’t okay with it he would be more loud about him not getting his opportunity. So I kinda defer to ‘they know more than we do’ and we got to accept it for what it is”
– via Red Corner MMA speculating that Arman Tsarukyan has received private assurances from the UFC that have kept him from revolting over his recent title "snub."
“Paddy Pimblett is awesome, Justin Gaethje is awesome, Arman and Ilia seem to have something in terms of not only skills, but between the two that we could build a great fight around”
– via Red Corner MMA acknowledging the star power of the interim title fight while insisting that Ilia Topuria vs. Arman Tsarukyan is the most significant competitive matchup in the division
“Paddy Pimblett is awesome, Justin Gaethje is awesome, Arman and Ilia seem to have something in terms of not only skills, but between the two that we could build a great fight around”
– via Red Corner MMA acknowledging the star power of the interim title fight while insisting that Ilia Topuria vs. Arman Tsarukyan is the most significant competitive matchup in the division
“Being around Jon Jones is different because we had such a bad history. But, the reality is, I'm done fighting now. That part of it's gone, so it's not nearly as nasty... Obviously, we argue a lot, but that's just the status of our relationship. But I think that we've gotten to a point in our lives where we can be in the same area without trying to fight each other”
– via Red Corner MMA reflecting on the surprising thawing of his decade—long feud with Jon Jones
“They changed his parole date. His first parole hearing is in February 2026, so keep your fingers crossed. Pray for the champ and hope that he gets out because the reality is he’s no danger to society. When he was home he was just helping the next generation of AKA athletes”
– via X expressing hope for the release of his longtime teammate and friend, Cain Velasquez
“Real American Freestyle is gonna see me and Jon Jones at some point, and I’m gonna kick his a**, like you would never believe. Because guess what? I still shoot, I still train wrestlers every single day, so I don’t have a problem shooting”
– via Funky and the Champ Show issuing a bold challenge to his greatest rival for a showdown on the wrestling mat.
“Khabib deserves more credit for what he did for that team and in that area. I don't think people give him enough credit for what he means to that region of fighting. He really has changed the course of an entire country.”
– via the Weighing In podcast, discussing the cultural and athletic legacy of Khabib Nurmagomedov.
“I don't think that Yoel's going to beat him because Bo just wrestled and he's young. But boy, Yoel Romero is going to make it hard for him, especially after what I saw the other day. Yoel Romero's wrestling like he still wrestles international. He's good, man. He was always a freak. Now he's like unbelievable”
– via The Daniel Cormier Show, reacting to Yoel Romero's recent "steamrolling" performance and his upcoming title fight against Bo Nickal.
“I’d wrestle the right guy. I’d wrestle Jon Jones... [But] No... I’m not wrestling Yoel Romero, bro. I wouldn’t wrestle Yoel. He’s still good, man! He’s like insanely good. I’m not wrestling with him. I’d wrestle like a Jon Jones or somebody”
– via his YouTube channel discussing a potential return to the mats for Real American Freestyle (RAF).
“I’d wrestle the right guy. I’d wrestle Jon Jones... [But] No... I’m not wrestling Yoel Romero, bro. I wouldn’t wrestle Yoel. He’s still good, man! He’s like insanely good. I’m not wrestling with him. I’d wrestle like a Jon Jones or somebody”
– via his YouTube channel discussing a potential return to the mats for Real American Freestyle (RAF).
“Luke's going to get beat, bro... He's going to get beat bad, bro. Get beat 10—0. I love Luke to death, but he's going to get beat. He can't wrestle Colby Covington. A lot of the things that made Luke have good wrestling in MMA scores points in wrestling. Every time he tries to chest wrap, if he doesn't get him through right away, they'll be scoring four points for Colby.”
– via The Daniel Cormier Show offering a grim prediction for his teammate Luke Rockhold ahead of his wrestling match against Colby Covington.
“Luke's going to get beat, bro... He's going to get beat bad, bro. Get beat 10—0. I love Luke to death, but he's going to get beat. He can't wrestle Colby Covington. A lot of the things that made Luke have good wrestling in MMA scores points in wrestling. Every time he tries to chest wrap, if he doesn't get him through right away, they'll be scoring four points for Colby.”
– via The Daniel Cormier Show offering a grim prediction for his teammate Luke Rockhold ahead of his wrestling match against Colby Covington.
“I don't think that Yoel's going to beat him because Bo just wrestled and he's young. But boy, Yoel Romero is going to make it hard for him, especially after what I saw the other day. Yoel Romero's wrestling like he still wrestles international. He's good, man. He was always a freak. Now he's like unbelievable”
– via The Daniel Cormier Show, reacting to Yoel Romero's recent "steamrolling" performance and his upcoming title fight against Bo Nickal.
“Listen man, this guy just might be the best lightweight in the world, since Islam is gone. He is really good man. He is big, he is strong, he is physical. The champion Ilia Topuria is tremendous... I think they need a fight at some point. Paddy Pimblett is awesome, Justin Gaethje is awesome, [but] Arman and Ilia seem to have something, and not only something in terms of skill, but between the two, we can build a great fight around.”
– via Red Corner MMA, making the case for a fight between Arman Tsarukyan and Ilia Topuria.
“Listen man, this guy just might be the best lightweight in the world, since Islam is gone. He is really good man. He is big, he is strong, he is physical. The champion Ilia Topuria is tremendous... I think they need a fight at some point. Paddy Pimblett is awesome, Justin Gaethje is awesome, [but] Arman and Ilia seem to have something, and not only something in terms of skill, but between the two, we can build a great fight around.”
– via Red Corner MMA, making the case for a fight between Arman Tsarukyan and Ilia Topuria.
“Cain Velasquez's parole date was moved to February of next year. Let's pray that the champ gets to come home and start his life anew after everything he's been through.”
– via his YouTube channel, sharing a major update on his longtime friend and teammate.
“I don't have anxiety about not training to fight. I miss the time i spent with my friends in the gym like Cain Velasquez, Luke Rockhold, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Islam Makhachev, Josh Thomson, and Jon Fitch. I miss the camaraderie of being in the gym with my friends”
– via Warrior Code International's YouTube channel, revealing that the thing he misses most about fighting is not the training or the competition, but the camaraderie and time spent in the gym with friends like Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev.
“I don't have anxiety about not training to fight. I miss the time i spent with my friends in the gym like Cain Velasquez, Luke Rockhold, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Islam Makhachev, Josh Thomson, and Jon Fitch. I miss the camaraderie of being in the gym with my friends”
– via Warrior Code International's YouTube channel, revealing that the thing he misses most about fighting is not the training or the competition, but the camaraderie and time spent in the gym with friends like Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev.
“There was a leniency for how much time you could spend away and still hold on to the championship... I don't believe that's the case today... It feels like Ilia Topuria is telling us, without saying it directly that it's gonna be a bit longer... So honestly, there might come a time where a decision has to be made”
– via ESPN MMA expressing concern over Ilia Topuria's rumored extended time away from competition
“That's kinda crazy. It's demetrious johnson... Take that back, man. It's demetrious johnson.”
– via his YouTube channel, strongly disagreeing with Joshua Van and arguing that Demetrious Johnson remains the flyweight GOAT.
“That's kinda crazy. It's demetrious johnson... Take that back, man. It's demetrious johnson.”
– via his YouTube channel, strongly disagreeing with Joshua Van and arguing that Demetrious Johnson remains the flyweight GOAT.
“Why is Jon Jones not with his family on Thanksgiving holiday?”
– mocks Jones's trip to Chechnya during Thanksgiving
“You're so crazy, but you can say whatever you want. You're the best in the world champ. Great job. We're all so proud of you! #doublechamp”
– responding to Islam Makhachev's joke
“Shavkat Rakhmonov is the guy that I think about and I go, 'man, that is a crazy fight to think about'... That would easily be the hardest fight of (Islam Makhachev's) career”
– via Good Guy/Bad Guy, expressing his belief that Shavkat Rakhmonov poses the toughest challenge for Islam Makhachev.
“Shavkat Rakhmonov is the guy that I think about and I go, 'man, that is a crazy fight to think about'... That would easily be the hardest fight of (Islam Makhachev's) career”
– via Good Guy/Bad Guy, expressing his belief that Shavkat Rakhmonov poses the toughest challenge for Islam Makhachev.
“Islam, you better set the tone of this fight. You cannot sit back and wait for Jack to determine where and how the fight takes place. You gotta push him against the octagon side and get him on his back foot. If you get him on his back foot, it will open takedowns, and it will also open your striking and chip away at the confidence that Jack is carrying into this fight after the Belal fight”
– Daniel Cormier advice for Islam Makhachev ahead of UFC 322
“It's Jailton [Almeida)]... It's safe... I can literally fight Jailton and then go and call the next fight”
– via the UFC 322 WeighIn Show, on which current fighter he would choose to face if he made a comeback.
“I don't care what Anthony Joshua did to Francis Ngannou. If Jake Paul gets in there with Francis, Francis will knock his head off this planet. You don't want those Francis problems... Even if Jake got power, I don't think he's got the power to deal with Francis... If Jake actually fights Francis, I'll do nothing but give him credit...You play stupid games, you get stupid prizes. The stupid prize will be fighting Francis Ngannou. I don't care what money Jake Paul would make; he shouldn't be fighting Francis Ngannou... Stay away from Francis Ngannou”
– warned Jake Paul about a potential fight with Francis Ngannou.
“The rematch got a lot harder for Ciryl Gane, regardless of if Tom respected him this time. Because now, Tom Aspinall is going to know what Ciryl Gane can do and has felt him. He felt the speed, felt the athleticism”
– via Good Guy/Bad Guy YT Channel
“I was literally trying to tell him you could possibly be on the verge of something tremendously special right now... [In that statement], I was saying Jailton's going to grapple you. It's not as dangerous a fight. I could have done a better job of saying that to Tom. Now I was a little upset that Tom and them released that, if I'm being honest with you. I thought when you lean into someone and you're talking quietly, that's a private conversation that should stay between [us]. I thought it was Embedded, and I know that Embedded would never do something like that.”
– reacted with disappointment after discovering Tom Aspinall shared their private exchange.
“If (the UFC) go to São Paulo and he does a retirement ceremony again where he goes and puts his gloves down, I’m throwing something at my TV”
– via ESPN MMA
“The way that they score mma takedowns is the problem... A takedown should not be when you get back up and the guy picks you up and just puts you back down. He never lost control. Merab didn't get 20 takedowns. Merab probably got five or six takedowns, and he got 14 mat returns.”
– via ESPN MMA
“If I put Alex Pereira against Jon Jones, Pereira is the underdog... Against Tom Aspinall, Pereira is the underdog. Ciryl Gane? Pereira might be the underdog. But does it bring the same type of recognition or the same type of value to a victory as fighting Jon Jones? Pereira matches up also better against Tom Aspinall and against Ciryl Gane, and all these other guys than he does Jon Jones”
Read all statements about Alex Pereira
“Alex is 38 years old and probably thinking at this point, 'How do I go and make another statement that I am the guy?' Hell, if he went to beat Jon Jones at heavyweight, Alex Pereira, who's already considered one of the greatest fighters of all time, in the most expedited timeline I have ever seen, would literally cement himself to almost stand above everyone because he would have beaten a former UFC light heavyweight champion and heavyweight champion, and a guy many consider as the greatest of all time”
– via YT
“I've got to tell you, I think Umar Nurmagomedov is probably the one guy that can challenge him. We saw their fight; it was 48—47 across the board. Everyone else cannot stay with him. It’s going to be very difficult for guys to figure out how to beat him because he’s just going to keep hitting them with takedowns. He’s a very hard challenge to prepare for.”
– reacted after Merab's victory against Cory Sandhagen
“It was such a hot ticket that 1, as the UFC HW and LHW champion, had to buy the tickets... The fight breaks out, and Khabib is completely losing his mind about getting his belt... Finally, Khabib calms down. Dana gives me money back for calming Khabib. He goes, "I don't know if I would have been able to get this situation under control without you.”
– Daniel Cormier about Khabib vs. Conor fight
“Magomed Ankalaev did have a rib injury, this is not a lie, and this is not an excuse...I know this because prior to the fight, I saw video of him getting injections into his rib to try to help him get to the fight. He was able to hit pads, and do cardio, essentially, for a month and a half before the fight. With that being said, I don’t know if the result changes if he was healthy, because of the way Pereira fought him...I know some people who are really close to [Magomed] who told him not to fight, but he wanted to fight. He wanted to beat Pereira again because he understood how important it was for him to have two wins over Alex, and a stronger statement for why he is who he is. He wasn’t 100 percent, but I don’t know if he would’ve been at 120 percent if he’d beaten Pereira that night...”
– Via YT Channel
“What he did against Magomed Ankalaev is so impressive because of how good Ankalaev is. There are so many cliches like, 'The younger guy wins the rematch, as you get older, you're not as good.' Especially when you're fighting a guy who became the champion, who is supposed to be better in the rematch, especially if he's younger. Pereira doesn't pay any attention to that type of stuff. He's just a special type of talent, a special type of guy”
– reacted to Ankalaev's loss at UFC 320.
“Luke [Rockhold] had a girl lined up. He wants nothing more than to leave the gym, so he convinces me... I want someone to tell me to go. And everybody's like, 'no, you got to lose more weight, and I look at Luke and he's like, 'he's fine, let him go: I'm like, 'yo, we should listen to Luke! And so I listen to that moron, and I left. That's what happened, bro. I hope whoever it was was worth it to Luke because then I had to have the most embarrassing moment of my career.”
Read all statements about Luke Rockhold
“We are watching great champions, from a long time past, and from a long history of great champions do out there in a way that's no great for them, and I don't love the visuals. They say all great champions go out on their back, but they don't need to do out like that... Alternatives. You don't have to fight forever. We have our time, and then the time passes. They always say Father Time is undefeated. That's never been proved more true than with what we're seeing lately.”
Read all statements about Mike Rockhold