Daniel Cormier might become the latest American Kickboxing Academy vet to make the full-time move into coaching.
UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier hasn’t reversed course on his decision to retire from fighting in 2020 following a trilogy loss to Stipe Miocic. Since hanging up the gloves, Cormier has turned his full-time attention to analyzing some of the UFC’s biggest fights, alongside Joe Rogan and play-by-play broadcaster Jon Anik.
Cormier entered the UFC Hall of Fame in 2022 alongside his longtime friend and teammate Khabib Nurmagomedov. Nurmagomedov also retired in 2020 and made the full-time transition into coaching, despite hanging up his gloves during the prime of his fighting career.
After coaching the most-recent season of The Ultimate Fighter, Cormier might join Nurmagomedov on a similar venture.
- READ MORE: Eddie Alvarez reveals one of his biggest regrets from Conor McGregor title fight at UFC 205
Daniel Cormier asks fans for team name ideas after announcing move into coaching
Cormier and fellow UFC Hall of Famer Chael Sonnen squared off as coaches on TUF 33, filmed in Las Vegas at the UFC Performance Institute and Apex. The season has produced several notable moments and some of the best fights in the show’s illustrious history.
Cormier, one of the greatest UFC fighters of all-time, isn’t ready to stop his current coaching gig as he recently teased on social media.
In a recent post on X, Cormier revealed he’s diving into MMA coaching after his latest TUF stint.
“Hey guys I have a question. The ultimate fighter has really sparked my coaching passion. I’ve started a fight team!” Cormier announced.
“On the team do I want my name associated with it or do I want it to be something stand alone from me? Like not have my logos associated with the team?”
Several followers had some creative names for Cormier’s fight team.
“Can’t really go wrong with DC Fight Team,” one follower responded.
“AC/DC (All Combat Daniel Cormier),” another said.
“Daniel Cormier team.”
“DC’s FC (Destruction Crew). Cringe but fits especially with you being an unc.”
“Kings of Cormier.”
As of this writing, the exact details and vision for Cormier’s team is uncertain, but those are expected to be announced in the coming months. Several of Cormier’s former AKA teammates, including Luke Rockhold and Nurmagomedov, could play roles on his staff.
Daniel Cormier shared a surprising prediction for defunct Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall fight
Cormier’s biggest rival, Jon Jones, recently announced his retirement from MMA. Jones was in prolonged talks with the UFC to negotiate a heavyweight title unification showdown with Tom Aspinall before he opted to hang up the gloves.
But Jones has teased returning to the Octagon in recent days, especially after U.S. President Donald Trump’s announced UFC event at The White House next year. Jones re-entered the UFC’s drug testing pool and will need to be in it for at least six months before being eligible to compete.
In light of the now-defunct Jones vs. Aspinall showdown, Cormier believes Jones would’ve won the fight had it come to fruition. But Cormier also said that the fight would’ve played out differently had Aspinall accumulated five-round experience in the cage.
Aspinall is expected to return to the Octagon later this year to defend the undisputed heavyweight championship.