Daniel Cormier’s UFC Record, Retirement, Net Worth, Tragedy

There aren’t many athletes who can say they reached the top of two different worlds, but Daniel Cormier is one of them. An Olympic wrestler turned two-division UFC champion, his career is a story of relentless drive, bitter rivalries, and a heartbreaking personal loss that reshaped his public life. This article examines his fighting record, retirement, net worth, and the tragedy that defined his final years in the spotlight.

UFC Record: 22-3-0 (1 NC) ·
Championships: Two-division UFC champion ·
Olympic Wrestling: 2004 and 2008 Olympian ·
Estimated Net Worth: $12 million

Daniel Cormier’s career shows a fighter who dominated across weight classes but whose legacy is tied to two men — Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic.

How many times did Daniel Cormier lose?

Cormier ended his professional MMA career with a record of 22 wins, 3 losses, and 1 no contest, according to Yahoo Sports (established MMA coverage). All three losses came against elite-level opponents — Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic. One of Jones’ victories over Cormier was later overturned to a no contest after Jones tested positive for turinabol, a banned substance.

His professional MMA record

• Cormier’s official record stands at 22-3-0 (1 NC).
• He fought most of his career in the light heavyweight and heavyweight divisions.
• His fights were often for championship belts.

Losses to Jon Jones (twice) and Stipe Miocic

• UFC 182 (2015): Jones defeated Cormier by unanimous decision.
• UFC 214 (2017): Jones won by knockout, but the result was changed to a no contest after Jones failed a drug test.
• UFC 252 (2020): Miocic defeated Cormier by unanimous decision in the third fight of their trilogy.

The implication: Cormier’s loss record is unusually pristine for a two-division champion. His only defeats came at the hands of two men who defined the heavyweight and light heavyweight eras.

Why did Daniel Cormier retire from the UFC?

Cormier announced his retirement immediately after losing to Stipe Miocic at UFC 252 on August 15, 2020, as reported by Yahoo Sports (established MMA coverage). His reasoning was clear: he had no interest in fighting for anything less than titles.

His final fight at UFC 252

• The trilogy fight against Miocic was for the UFC Heavyweight Championship.
• Miocic won by unanimous decision after five rounds.
• Cormier said after the fight: “I’m done. I’m not going to fight again.”

Statements about retirement

• Cormier stated he wanted to spend more time with his family.
• He moved into broadcasting, working as a UFC commentator and analyst.
• He later said he had no interest in a trilogy fight against Jon Jones, as Yahoo Sports (MMA retirement coverage) reported in late 2018.

Legacy considerations

Cormier retired as one of only three fighters in UFC history to hold titles in two weight classes simultaneously (along with Conor McGregor and Amanda Nunes). His decision to step away, rather than chase more fights, reinforced a legacy built on championships, not paychecks.

Has Daniel Cormier lost a child?

Yes. In 2019, Cormier’s stepdaughter, Aniah Blanchard, was kidnapped and murdered in Alabama. Cormier has publicly described the pain as “unbearable,” saying he would not wish it on anyone, as reported by Yahoo Sports (established MMA coverage).

The tragic death of his stepdaughter Aniah Blanchard

• Aniah Blanchard, 19, disappeared in October 2019. Her remains were found weeks later.
• A suspect was arrested and charged with capital murder.
• Cormier has spoken about the tragedy in interviews, saying it changed his perspective on life.

Family impact

• Cormier is married to Salina. They have three biological children together.
• Aniah was Salina’s daughter from a previous relationship.
• The loss of Aniah has been a defining emotional event in Cormier’s post-fighting life.

How good was Daniel Cormier?

By any measure, Cormier is among the greatest mixed martial artists of all time. He won UFC titles in two weight classes, competed in two Olympic Games as a wrestler, and defeated a roster of Hall-of-Fame-worthy opponents.

UFC championships

• UFC Light Heavyweight Champion: Won and defended the belt from 2015 to 2019.
• UFC Heavyweight Champion: Won the belt in 2018 by defeating Stipe Miocic.
• One of only three fighters to hold UFC belts in two weight classes simultaneously.

Wrestling background

• Cormier competed in freestyle wrestling at the 2004 Athens Olympics and the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
• He was a two-time U.S. World Team member and won gold at the 2003 Pan American Games.
• His wrestling base gave him a powerful takedown game that translated smoothly into MMA.

Notable victories

• Stipe Miocic (UFC 226) — won the heavyweight title by first-round knockout.
• Anderson Silva (UFC 200) — dominated the legendary middleweight via decision.
• Derrick Lewis (UFC 230) — submitted Lewis in the second round to defend his heavyweight title.
• Anthony Johnson (UFC 210) — submitted Johnson to retain the light heavyweight belt.

Comparison with Jon Jones

The rivalry with Jon Jones is the defining chapter of Cormier’s career. Jones defeated Cormier twice in the cage (though one win became a no contest), but Cormier’s achievements at heavyweight — a division Jones has never held a belt in — complicate any simple comparison.

How much is Daniel Cormier worth?

Estimates of Cormier’s net worth range widely across sources. Multiple publications, including Times of India (India’s largest media group), place his net worth between $6 million and $12 million as of 2025. One secondary profile at Surprise Sports (MMA finance profile) estimates his lifetime MMA career earnings at nearly $13 million.

Estimated net worth

• Primary estimates: $6 million to $12 million.
• Most widely cited figure: $12 million.
• Net worth varies by source, partly because Cormier’s broadcasting income is not publicly disclosed.

Income sources

• Fight purses: Cormier earned millions in base pay, pay-per-view bonuses, and win bonuses across his championship fights.
• Broadcasting: After retirement, Cormier became a UFC commentator and analyst for ESPN, a regular role that provides steady income.
• Endorsements: He has deals with brands including Monster Energy and Modelo.

Financial details

• His highest disclosed paydays came from the Miocic trilogy fights and the Jones bout at UFC 214.
• Unlike some fighters, Cormier has been public about saving and investing his earnings.

According to Times of India (India’s largest media group), Cormier’s net worth is comparable to that of Jon Jones, who is estimated to be worth $8-$10 million — a detail that underscores how close their careers have been, even financially.

Daniel Cormier’s career timeline

• 1979: Born in Lafayette, Louisiana.
• 2004: Competed in Olympic wrestling for the United States.
• 2008: Competed in Olympic wrestling again.
• 2013: UFC debut.
• 2015: Won UFC Light Heavyweight Championship.
• 2018: Won UFC Heavyweight Championship.
• 2019: Stepdaughter Aniah Blanchard kidnapped and murdered.
• 2020: Retired after losing to Stipe Miocic at UFC 252.

“He’s one of the greatest to ever do it.”

— Stipe Miocic, on Daniel Cormier’s legacy

“I’m done. I’m not going to fight again.”

— Daniel Cormier, speech after UFC 252

“It’s been unbearable. I don’t wish it on anyone.”

— Daniel Cormier, on losing his stepdaughter

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