Daniel Cormier has elevated his performance in 2018, earning him the title of ESPN’s Fighter of the Year. Despite his already impressive career as an Olympian and a two-time UFC champion, Cormier’s recognition in combat sports has reached new heights this year.
Although Cormier faced challenges in the past, like his loss to Cael Sanderson in college, no Olympic medal, and inability to defeat Jon Jones in the light heavyweight division, he acknowledges the difficulty of maintaining top form in the present year.
Reflecting on his career, Cormier shared with ESPN, “The universe works in mysterious ways… I had come to terms with being second best… My career had brought me great success, but I never quite reached the pinnacle.” He entered 2018 with a new perspective, focusing on competition without the pressure of the Jones rivalry.
Cormier proved his dominance by swiftly finishing fights against Volkan Oezdemir and Derrick Lewis. However, his crowning achievement was claiming the heavyweight championship by knocking out Stipe Miocic in July, a historic moment considering Miocic’s status as one of the most dominant heavyweight champions in UFC history.
Despite Jones’ return from suspension in October, Cormier shifted his attention away from their rivalry, realizing that Jones’ actions had already spoken for themselves. Cormier embraced his own narrative and the opportunities that lay ahead, signifying a significant shift in focus and mindset from the previous year.
