D. Cormier is a former UFC light heavyweight and heavyweight champion.
Photo: Reproduction/Instagram @dc_mma
Newest member of the Ultimate 'Hall of Fame', Daniel Cormier he vented in his speech at the tribute received last Thursday (30), in Las Vegas (USA). After a successful career in MMA, the former champion spoke about the controversial 'towel episode', which occurred in 2017, when the athlete allegedly leaned on the towel to make weight. The scene preceded his title defense against Anthony Johnson, at UFC 210.
“Guys, I need to tell you something, and I think it's time to be completely transparent. Maybe I was holding on to the towel in Buffalo,” Cormier said in his speech.
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After speaking clearly about the subject for the first time, Daniel explained what actually happened at that moment. At the time, the fighter was the light heavyweight champion (up to 93kg.) And, if he failed to make the weight cut, he would lose the chance to defend the throne and could be deposed.
“I went backstage after failing the weight cut by 500g. It was 500g., I tried to give up, guys. Believe me. She had more than 400g of weight to beat. They even called my wife and tried to put me back in the bathtub. I said: 'No way. This sh*t is over.' My wife said, 'Daniel, just take a hot shower.' I responded, 'It's not that simple,” she said.
Moments after the first failure, Cormier narrates what happened next, before stepping back on the scale.
“I walked to the counting place and my coaches asked: 'DC, do you remember an old wrestling trick?'. I replied: 'Can you stay behind me?'. There are two (tricks). You can put your hands behind your back and someone else lifts you up. The coach replied: 'No. It's the towel trick. (…) Then I looked down and the person responsible for measuring was looking at the numbers. There was a lady, also looking down. So, I held the towel,” she explained.
After the action, Daniel was successful in the weight cut and qualified to defend his belt. The fighter then took the opportunity to apologize to Anthony Johnson, his rival at the time, who ended up submitted in the second round.
“Rumble (Anthony), I’m sorry, buddy,” he concluded.
After the victory in 2017, Cormier had two more appearances at light heavyweight (up to 93kg), with a 'no contest', which took place against Jon Jones, and a positive result. After that, the fighter decided to move to heavyweight (up to 120,2 kg), winning the title in the top division and defending it on one occasion.
An icon in the recent history of mixed martial arts, Daniel left MMA after his defeat in the trilogy against Stipe Miocic, in 2020. Currently, at 43 years old, the former champion works as a UFC commentator and reporter.
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