Daniel Cormier

Sport: Mixed Martial Arts

Induction Year: 2024

University: Oklahoma State

Lafayette native is revered as one of the most heralded wrestlers and mixed martial artists ever. He first made a name for himself as a wrestler at Northside High where he was 101-9 overall, captured three consecutive LHSAA Division I state titles (1995-97) and twice was voted Most Outstanding Wrestler of the tournament. He won a bronze medal in the World Championships in Greco-Roman Wrestling Cadet (15-16 years old) division.

An all-state football player in high school, he concentrated on wrestling at Colby (Kansas) Community College and posted a 61-0 record, then earned All-America honors in 2001 at Oklahoma State where he went 53-10. He then competed in freestyle wrestling, winning six consecutive gold medals (2003-08) at the USA Wrestling championships. He competed internationally, capturing the gold medal in 2002 and 2003 at the Pan American Championships, as well as the gold medal at the Pan Am Games in 2003. Cormier was also a member of the U.S. Olympic Wrestling Team in the 2004 and 2008 Games.

Cormier transitioned to mixed martial arts and began his career in Strikeforce. He won his first 11 bouts, becoming the King of the Cage heavyweight champion and winning the 2012 Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix before joining UFC. He became just the second UFC fighter to hold two divisional titles (lightweight and heavyweight) simultaneously and was the first fighter to have title defenses in two divisions. Cormier ranks third all-time in light heavyweight wins and is tied for 10th in heavyweight, compiling a 22-3 record with one no-contest.

Cormier is a member of the National Junior College Athletic Association Hall of Fame (2009), Louisiana High School Sports Hall of Fame (2021) and UFC Hall of Fame (2022). He earned the George Tragos Award from the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2019. Cormier currently is a combat sports analyst with ESPN and is a commentator for UFC events. … Born 3-20-1979 in Lafayette.