Daniel Cormier Reveals Plan of Action To ‘Make American Fighters Great Again’

UFC legend Daniel Cormier emphasizes the importance of American wrestlers in the UFC after years of Caucasus dominance.

Daniel Cormier Reveals Plan of Action To ‘Make American Fighters Great Again’

Daniel Cormier talks about introducing American wrestling (via MMA Mania)

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Daniel Cormier is one of the most accomplished American wrestlers to transition into mixed martial arts, representing the United States at the 2004 Olympic Games and qualifying for the 2008 Olympics. Despite paving the way for wrestlers in MMA, the UFC lacks a deep pool of elite American wrestlers, with dominance increasingly coming from the Caucasus region, a trend Cormier wants to change.

Ever since Khabib Nurmagomedov’s reign as lightweight champion, the UFC has seen a major influx of fighters from the Caucasus region asserting dominance. Fighters such as Islam Makhachev, Khamzat Chimaev, and Merab Dvalishvili consistently control opponents through elite wrestling and grappling. This was an advantage largely rooted in stricter training structures and early discipline in combat sports.

Cormier has built a close relationship with both Nurmagomedov and Makhachev, playing an influential role during their championship runs at the highest level. Through firsthand exposure to their disciplined approach and training habits, Cormier believes American wrestlers can follow a similar path. He has recently looked to use that experience to help guide them toward sustained success in MMA.

American wrestlers aren’t as open to fighting as we need them to be. But I have a plan. I’m getting American wrestlers into fighting. I love those guys – I love Khabib, I love Islam. Those guys are the best. But I want American wrestlers as champions. I think that’s the only group of people to go and get it back. It’s the Eastern European wrestlers who are champions – very few strikers. They’re wrestlers who are champions. We’ve got to get our wrestlers back going into the sport of mixed martial arts.

Daniel Cormier via YallStreetTV

Cormier has long shown respect for Dagestani wrestling disciplines and the structure behind their success. A viral moment with Islam Makhachev about sending young athletes to Dagestan highlighted that admiration. Beyond the humor, Cormier followed through by sending kids from his wrestling and MMA academy there, later crediting Nurmagomedov for helping develop their skills and raising their potential.

American wrestling has produced several notable UFC fighters across different eras. Figures such as Henry Cejudo, Cain Velasquez, Tyron Woodley, and Chris Weidman carried elite wrestling backgrounds into championship success or sustained title contention. In the current landscape, fighters including Bo Nickal and UFC women’s bantamweight champion Kayla Harrison, continue to represent America at the highest level.

The rise of Real American Freestyle has created a meaningful platform for wrestlers to build their profiles outside traditional pathways. Fighters such as Michael Chandler and Colby Covington have already aligned themselves with the freestyle wrestling banner, helping bring visibility and legitimacy to the movement. This development adds weight to Daniel Cormier’s push for American wrestling growth.

Daniel Cormier reveals an interesting story from the UFC 229 brawl

The UFC 229 brawl erupted immediately after Khabib Nurmagomedov defeated Conor McGregor, following months of escalating personal and promotional tension. Nurmagomedov exited the cage and confronted members of McGregor’s team, triggering a wider melee as fighters and cornermen entered the octagon. The incident was fueled by prolonged hostility that built throughout the fight’s promotion.

Khabib Nurmagomedov and Daniel Cormier at UFC 229
Khabib Nurmagomedov and Daniel Cormier at UFC 229 (via Bloody Elbow)

Daniel Cormier has long shared a close relationship with Nurmagomedov and his team, built through years of training and mutual respect. During the UFC 229 chaos, Cormier played an important role in helping calm the Dagestani champion, with his presence carrying authority within Khabib’s circle. He later revealed a lighthearted detail involving his young son briefly trying to help during the brawl.

I was there with my son. Khabib’s one of my teammates. I jumped over the fence to go help. I finally caught my head and I was like, ‘Let me try to stop the fight.’ But what was the best thing is when I jumped the fence, my son – my 10-year-old son – tried to go help me. Security had to grab my family and put them in the back.

Daniel Cormier via 4thand1show

Daniel Cormier II has been a constant presence throughout his father’s career, frequently appearing alongside the former two-division champion. Cormier has often shared moments of training his son in wrestling and basic MMA fundamentals, highlighting the importance of family. That connection reinforces how Cormier’s legacy now extends beyond championships and into the next generation.

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