Although it is hard to tell, given his friendly and humble demeanor, Daniel Cormier was once the baddest man on the planet. With his victory over UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic, the New Orleans native became only the second concurrent two-division champion in UFC history.
The UFC gave then-light heavyweight champion Cormier’s first fight against Miocic the best build-up they could: The Ultimate Fighter (TUF). ‘DC’ and Miocic featured as head coaches on season 27 of TUF in 2018, and the 44-year-old revealed the amusing story behind how Dana White got him to agree to do the show.
Daniel Cormier reveals Dana White made him an offer he couldn’t refuse
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On his episode of ‘Year of the Fighter’ on the UFC’s YouTube channel, Cormier looked back to 2018, the year he became a double-champion by defeating Stipe Miocic. The duo appeared as head coaches on TUF in 2018, and the UFC commentator revealed why he almost turned down the reality show.
“Anyone that knows me knows that my fight camps are long, they’re tough they’re draining for not only me but also my family. So when I get home on Monday [after UFC 220] and Dana’s calling me to go and coach The Ultimate Fighter, this isn’t necessarily a conversation I want to have with my wife,” ‘DC’ said.
However, when the Louisianan heard what UFC boss Dana White was offering him, he couldn’t help but agree. The light heavyweight champion did, however, ask the UFC boss to talk to his wife, as he did not relish the prospect of letting her know he would be away for over ten weeks right after his long and grueling camp.
“He told me what he was going to pay me and everything and he goes I’ll see you in Vegas on Wednesday. I said ‘why don’t you talk to my wife?’ He goes ‘I’ll see you in Vegas on Wednesday,’ and yeah I was in Vegas on Wednesday,” he added. After a distinguished career, Cormier has segued effortlessly into his role as commentator and now YouTuber.
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‘DC’ suggests Adesanya’s next opponent on his YouTube channel
On his YouTube channel, Daniel Cormier recently speculated that Israel Adesanya might be back from his hiatus as soon as this year and fighting Khamzat Chimaev on a comeback. He was not in favor of this matchup and urged the UFC to not jeopardize Adesanya’s potential grudge match against Dricus Du Plessis.
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‘DC’ felt there had been a lot of hype and build-up for this fixture, and a potential loss to Chimaev would ruin the prospects of this fight for the near future. Adesanya, too, has promised that fans will see him “soon” in the Octagon, and whether ‘DDP’ wins or loses the next (title) fight, a UFC 300 clash against Adesanya is very possible.
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