Daniel Cormier net worth, MMA and UFC career achievements


Daniel Cormier’s net worth is associated with his mixed martial arts and wrestling career. He is an American former professional mixed martial artist and freestyle wrestler. He is currently a color commentator for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).  

Cormier is a UFC Heavyweight Champion, UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, a two-time Olympian and a StrikeForce Heavyweight Grand Prix Champion. 

Most importantly, Daniel Cormier made UFC history as the second fighter to simultaneously hold championship titles in two weight divisions. He further cemented his legacy by becoming the first fighter to successfully defend titles in both divisions.

Daniel Cormier net worth 

The estimated Daniel Cormier net worth is $6 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. His mixed martial arts (MMA) and UFC wrestling career account for most of his financial success. He has earned from fight purses and bonuses. His career also led to endorsements and partnerships with brands such as Monster Energy, Reebok, and Popeyes.

Additional income has also come from being a UFC commentator and running the Daniel Cormier Wrestling Academy. 

Career highlights 

Daniel Cormier is widely regarded as one of the greatest fighters in mixed martial arts history. He began his wrestling career at Colby Community College in Kansas, where he won consecutive junior college national championships in 1998 and 1999, finishing with an undefeated 61-0 record and 33 falls.  

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He subsequently transferred to Oklahoma State University, where he became an NCAA All-American in 2001 and reached the national championship final in the 184-pound division.  

After graduating, he established himself as an elite freestyle wrestler, winning the U.S. national championship every year from 2003 to 2008 and representing the United States in international competitions. 

He achieved considerable success in international wrestling, winning a gold medal at the 2003 Pan American Games and a bronze medal at the 2007 World Wrestling Championships.  

He also won the prestigious Ivan Yarygin Grand Prix in Russia in 2005 and competed at the 2004 Summer Olympics, finishing fourth in the 96-kilogram division.  

Daniel Cormier was selected as captain of the U.S. Olympic wrestling team for the 2008 Beijing Games but withdrew from competition after experiencing kidney failure associated with weight cutting.  

In 2004, he also won the 211-pound championship in the inaugural season of Real Pro Wrestling.  

MMA 

After the 2008 Olympics, he transitioned into professional mixed martial arts, training at the American Kickboxing Academy alongside prominent fighters such as Cain Velasquez, Jon Fitch, and Josh Koscheck.  

Danie Cormier made his professional debut in 2009 and quickly established himself as a formidable heavyweight, capturing the Xtreme MMA Heavyweight Championship in 2010 and the King of the Cage Heavyweight Championship shortly afterward.  

His performances in Strikeforce further elevated his profile, particularly during the 2011/2012 Heavyweight Grand Prix. He defeated Antônio Silva by first-round knockout before overcoming Josh Barnett by unanimous decision in the final to become the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix champion in 2012. 

UFC 

He joined the Ultimate Fighting Championship in 2013 and soon became one of its most accomplished competitors. After victories over Frank Mir, Roy Nelson, and Dan Henderson, he moved to the light heavyweight division and won the vacant championship in May 2015 by submitting Anthony Johnson at UFC 187.  

He successfully defended the title against Alexander Gustafsson and defeated Johnson again in their 2017 rematch. Although he initially lost to Jon Jones, the result of their 2017 rematch was later changed to a no-contest following Jones’s failed drug test, allowing Cormier to regain the light heavyweight championship. 

In July 2018, he reached another career milestone when he knocked out Stipe Miocic at UFC 226 to capture the heavyweight championship. This victory made him only the second fighter in UFC history to hold two divisional titles simultaneously.  

He subsequently defended his heavyweight title against Derrick Lewis by submission, becoming the first UFC fighter to win and successfully defend championships in both the light heavyweight and heavyweight divisions.  

Daniel Cormier lost the heavyweight title to Miocic in their August 2019 rematch and retired in August 2020 after losing their trilogy bout at UFC 252.  

His professional MMA record stood at 22 wins, three losses, and one no-contest. 

Post-retirement 

Following his retirement, Daniel Cormier transitioned successfully into sports broadcasting, coaching, and digital media. He became a regular UFC color commentator and analyst. 

He has also worked as a wrestling coach, hosted and co-hosted MMA podcasts, and appeared in entertainment productions, including the film “Mantervention” in 2014. 

In 2025, he co-coached The Ultimate Fighter: Season 33. 

Wrestling academy 

Furthermore, he also owns the Daniel Cormier Wrestling Academy. It is a wrestling training facility founded around the principles of discipline, hard work, confidence, and competitive excellence. 

Located in Gilroy, California, the academy provides structured wrestling programs for young athletes, beginners, and experienced competitors seeking to improve their technical abilities and prepare for competition. 

The academy offers programs for different age groups and experience levels, including its Baby Hawks classes for children aged four and above, as well as competition teams for wrestlers aged 8-13 and 14 and older.  

One of its major offerings is the Daniel Cormier Wrestling Academy Summer Camp, which welcomes boys and girls aged 5-20, from beginners to advanced wrestlers.  

The camp combines high-level coaching, technical training, situational wrestling, strength and conditioning, leadership development, and team-building activities. 

Recognitions 

  • Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame – (2024 
  • UFC Hall of Fame (Modern Wing, 2022)  
  • Louisiana High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame inductee – (2021 
  • George Tragos Award (2019) 
  • ESPY Awards’ 2018 Best MMA Fighter 
  • NJCAA Wrestling Hall of Fame Inductee (2009) 

Final thoughts on Daniel Cormier net worth 

Overall, Daniel Cormier’s wealth primarily comes from professional MMA fight purses, championship bonuses, pay-per-view revenue, and sponsorships accumulated during his UFC and Strikeforce careers. His post-retirement earnings are supplemented by UFC commentary and broadcasting, sports analysis, podcasting, coaching, and other ventures. 

Featured image: Daniel Cormier on Facebook
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