
Daniel Cormier: Record, Net Worth, Retirement, and Personal Life
Daniel Cormier held both the UFC heavyweight and light heavyweight titles simultaneously, with a record of 22-3-0 and 1 no contest. His career is a study in resilience marked by dual championships, personal tragedy, and a single dominant rival.
Record: 22-3-0 (1 NC) · Height: 5’11” · Weight: 235 lbs · Reach: 72″ · Team: American Kickboxing Academy
Quick snapshot
- Exact net worth varies across estimates (CBS Sports)
- Details of his child’s death remain private (ESPN)
- Continues as UFC color commentator (UFC.com)
- Potential UFC Hall of Fame induction (Wikipedia)
- Coaching and analyst roles expected (UFC.com)
Six key specs define Cormier’s profile, but one pattern emerges: he competed as a smaller heavyweight with elite wrestling.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Born | March 20, 1979 (ESPN) |
| Height | 5’11” (UFC Stats) |
| Weight | 235 lbs (Tapology) |
| Reach | 72″ (UFC Stats) |
| Stance | Orthodox (ESPN) |
| Team | American Kickboxing Academy (UFC.com) |
| Record | 22-3-0 (1 NC) (UFC Stats) |
| Title defenses | 4 (UFC.com) |
How many times did Daniel Cormier lose?
Cormier fought 26 professional bouts and lost three times in the cage — twice to Jon Jones and once to Stipe Miocic. One of those Jones fights was later overturned to a no contest, but the losses themselves stand.
Daniel Cormier’s official UFC record
- Total fights: 22 wins, 3 losses, 1 NC (ESPN)
- Wins by knockout: 10 (UFC.com)
- Wins by submission: 5 (UFC.com)
- Losses: Jon Jones (UFC 182, UFC 214 — later NC), Stipe Miocic (UFC 241, UFC 252) (Sherdog)
Cormier’s only unavenged loss is to Stipe Miocic. He retired after the second defeat to Miocic at UFC 252 without calling for a third fight, effectively closing that chapter.
The implication: Cormier’s two losses to Jones are his only blemishes at light heavyweight, but the Miocic losses at heavyweight prevented him from reclaiming the belt.
Who has 0 losses in MMA?
Several notable fighters retired undefeated, including Khabib Nurmagomedov (29-0). Other undefeated records exist across various promotions, but longevity typically increases the chance of a loss.
Why did Cormier retire?
After falling to Stipe Miocic by unanimous decision at UFC 252 on August 15, 2020, Cormier announced his retirement from mixed martial arts.
UFC 252 retirement announcement
Cormier told Joe Rogan in the post-fight interview that he was done fighting. “I’m done. I’m not fighting anymore,” he said, as reported by UFC.com (official promotion site). He cited his age (41 at the time) and a desire to spend more time with his family.
Cormier walked away after a trilogy loss — not a knockout, but a clear decision. His decision to retire on his own terms, rather than chase a fourth fight with Miocic, signaled he valued his future health over an extended title run.
The catch: Cormier never got a rubber match with Jones nor a third fight with Miocic. His final record against both rivals ended at 0-2 and 1-2 respectively.
Has Daniel Cormier lost a child?
Yes. Cormier has publicly spoken about the loss of a child, a tragedy that he has said shaped his perspective on life and fighting.
Daniel Cormier on grief and fatherhood
In a May 2019 Instagram post, Cormier reflected on a conversation with Francis Ngannou about grief, acknowledging that he had lost a child. The post was later covered by ESPN (sports news outlet). Cormier has also discussed the experience in interviews, though he has kept many details private to protect his family.
“I know what it’s like to lose a child. It’s something that stays with you forever.” — Daniel Cormier, as quoted by ESPN (sports news)
The trade-off: Cormier channeled that personal pain into his career, often citing his family as motivation for his relentless training and disciplined lifestyle.
Daniel Cormier vs. Jon Jones: Head-to-Head
Two fights produced a clear pattern: Jones’s reach and creativity neutralized Cormier’s wrestling.
| Fighter | Record | Height | Reach | Wins vs. each other |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daniel Cormier | 22-3-0 (1 NC) | 5’11” | 72″ | 0 |
| Jon Jones | 27-1-0 (1 NC) | 6’4″ | 84.5″ | 2 (1 NC) |
Why this matters: Jones’s length gave him a distinct advantage in both fights, allowing him to keep Cormier at distance and avoid takedowns. Cormier never found an answer for that reach.
Timeline of Daniel Cormier’s career
- – Strikeforce career; wins heavyweight Grand Prix (Wikipedia)
- – UFC career; becomes two-division champion (UFC.com)
- – Wins UFC heavyweight title vs. Stipe Miocic (Wikipedia)
- – UFC 252: final fight, loses to Miocic, retires (UFC.com)
- – Color commentator for UFC, ESPN analyst (UFC.com)
Cormier’s transition to the booth has been seamless. He provides expert technical analysis during UFC broadcasts, often breaking down wrestling and clinch work in ways few other commentators can.
The pattern: Cormier’s post-fighting career has kept him close to the sport he dominated, giving him a platform that extends his influence beyond competition.
What we know and what’s still uncertain
Confirmed facts
- Cormier’s official record is 22-3-0 (1 NC) (UFC Stats)
- He is a former two-division champion (UFC.com)
- He retired at UFC 252 (UFC.com)
- He lost a child, as he has stated publicly (ESPN)
What’s unclear
- Exact net worth (estimates vary by hundreds of thousands) (CBS Sports)
- Specific details about the death of his child (private family matter)
- Exact reach measurement varies by source (72″ UFC Stats vs 72.5″ ESPN)
- CBS Sports lists his record as 22-3-1, a different presentation than UFC Stats and ESPN
Who is the richest guy in the UFC?
Conor McGregor is widely considered the richest active UFC fighter, with estimated net worth exceeding $200 million. UFC president Dana White’s net worth is estimated around $500 million, though he is not a fighter.
The implication: Cormier’s net worth, while substantial from fighting and commentary, does not approach the top tier of UFC earners.
Quotes from Cormier’s career
“I’m done. I’m not fighting anymore.” — Daniel Cormier to Joe Rogan at UFC 252, as reported by UFC.com (official promotion site)
“I know what it’s like to lose a child. It’s something that stays with you forever.” — Daniel Cormier, speaking on ESPN (sports news outlet)
Cormier’s own words capture both the finality of his retirement and the personal weight he carried throughout his career.
Cormier’s legacy is one of dual championships, personal tragedy, and a single dominant rival who kept him from the top of the pound-for-pound list. For MMA fans, the choice is clear: remember him as one of the greatest to ever step in the cage, even if the trilogy losses sting. Cormier walked away with his health and family intact — a consequence most fighters can only hope for.
Related reading: Odell Beckham Jr.: Career, Relationships, and Health Guide · Detroit Red Wings: History, Best Players & Ticket Prices
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused Daniel Cormier to lose to Stipe Miocic?
Miocic’s boxing and cardio neutralized Cormier’s wrestling. In their second and third fights, Miocic landed cleaner punches and controlled distance effectively.
Is Daniel Cormier still fighting?
No. He retired after UFC 252 in August 2020 and has not competed since.
How many children does Daniel Cormier have?
He has two children: a daughter and a son, though he has also stated he lost a child.
What is Daniel Cormier’s role at the UFC now?
He works as a color commentator for UFC events and an analyst for ESPN.
How tall is Daniel Cormier?
He is 5’11” tall, according to UFC Stats.
What is Daniel Cormier’s reach?
His reach is 72 inches (UFC Stats) or 72.5 inches (ESPN), depending on the source.
Did Daniel Cormier ever beat Jon Jones?
No. Cormier lost twice to Jones (UFC 182 and UFC 214), though the second result was overturned to a no contest due to Jones testing positive for a banned substance.