UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier had a rare moment of shock meeting an all-time great boxer.
Daniel Cormier won multiple UFC championships during his Hall of Fame career and became one of MMA’s most beloved stars. Because of his success during and after his fighting career, he usually doesn’t get ‘imposter syndrome’ in the limelight, but that changed for Cormier at UFC Mexico City.
UFC Mexico City featured wild knockouts, some controversy, and a high-octane main event between two flyweight stars. Former UFC flyweight champion Brandon Moreno capped off the evening with a largely dominant win over Steve Erceg to cement his place in the title picture.
During the festivities of UFC Mexico City, Cormier had the chance to meet one of his childhood idols while on the call.
Daniel Cormier felt like a kid meeting Julio Cesar Chavez Sr. at UFC Mexico City
Julio Cesar Chavez Sr. is considered boxing royalty after a legendary career in the ring. He’s also a national hero in Mexico, as evidenced by the wild ovation he received while attending UFC Mexico City.
As Chavez entered the arena, Cormier had childlike glee meeting the boxing legend.
During a recent episode of Good Guy/Bad Guy with Chael Sonnen, Cormier explained what went through his mind meeting Chavez at UFC Mexico City.
“There are a lot of times I don’t understand how, or why, a fan gets so excited to meet you. When they do, I’m always gracious, because I’m lucky to have fans as we all are, we’re just people. But because I haven’t been a fan for a while…we don’t have that reaction. I had one [at UFC Mexico City],” Cormier admitted. “It was the craziest thing…I was sitting at the commentary desk, and in walks Julio Cesar Chavez. Chavez walks in, the place goes nuts, Chavez is dressed to the nines and he’s the man.
“Chavez walks in, I jump out of my seat, waving at him…I’m seriously standing there waving at Chavez [like a kid], looks at me and goes ‘Hi!’,” Cormier continued. “And then he goes and asks the UFC to get a picture with me! I had no idea that he knew I was the champ…I’m waving like ‘Cesar Chavez! Cesar Chavez!’. I had an involuntary reaction to Julio Cesar Chavez. So fans, if you want to freak out, I’m never stopping you anymore. Because I had that reaction!”
Chavez walked out with UFC flyweight Ronaldo Rodriguez for his fight at UFC Mexico City. Unfortunately, Chavez couldn’t give Rodriguez his magic, as Rodriguez lost by unanimous decision for his first UFC defeat.
UFC Mexico City featured ‘middleweight Francis Ngannou’s jaw-dropping debut
The UFC Mexico City prelims featured the middleweight debut of Ateba Gautier. If you don’t know Gautier’s credentials, now is a great time to start getting familiar with his immense talent.
Gautier flattened Jose Medina with a knee to earn the walk-off knockout in his UFC debut. He earned a post-fight performance bonus and cemented himself as a middleweight to watch after featuring on Dana White’s Contender Series in September.
UFC Octagon announcer Bruce Buffer had a rare blooper when he announced the incorrect winner of one of the UFC Mexico City prelim fights. The mistake led Buffer to address speculation of a looming retirement from fans on social media.
As for Cormier, the old saying ‘don’t meet your idols’ didn’t apply in meeting Chavez, and the Mexican boxing legend continues to make old souls feel young.
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