Daniel Cormier is a retired American professional mixed martial artist and amateur wrestler. He is also a current commentator for the UFC. Cormier has competed in the Heavyweight (2009–2013, 2018–2020) and Light Heavyweight (2014–2018) divisions. He is known for his wrestling style and has a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Léo Vieira.
Here, you will know Daniel Cormier’s net worth, salary, career earnings, achievements, biography, family, and more.
Daniel Cormier’s Biography
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Daniel Ryan Cormier |
| Date of Birth | March 20, 1979 |
| Age | 46 |
| Education | Sociology degree, Oklahoma State University |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (180 cm) |
| Weight | 251 lb (114 kg) |
| Turned Pro (MMA) | 2009 |
| Net Worth | $6–10 million |
| Salary / Career Earnings | Over $13 million from fights; $500K/year commentary |
| Wife | Salina Deleon |
| @dc_mma | |
| @dc_mma |
Early Career
Daniel Cormier’s athletic journey began long before his first UFC bout. Raised in Lafayette, Louisiana, he discovered wrestling in high school and quickly outperformed peers with natural strength and technique.
After starring at Northside High School, he earned a scholarship to Colby Community College, then transferred to Oklahoma State University. There, he developed under legendary coaches and achieved two NCAA Division I All-American honors, though he fell short against Cael Sanderson in national finals.
Cormier represented the United States on the world stage, earning a spot on six US World or Olympic teams. He captured Pan American Games gold, added world bronze, and served as captain of the 2008 Olympic freestyle wrestling squad in Beijing. His leadership and mat prowess earned respect worldwide, though he narrowly missed an Olympic medal.
He first ventured into professional MMA in 2009 with King of the Cage, where he won heavyweight gold and compiled a string of finishes. A move to Strikeforce followed, and he claimed the heavyweight Grand Prix title, submitting late replacements with crisp grappling. His 12–0 record in Strikeforce earned him the attention of UFC matchmakers, setting the stage for a monumental shift to the sport’s biggest stage.
Professional Career
Entering the UFC, Cormier debuted at heavyweight against Frank Mir at UFC 226, showcasing elite wrestling with crisp takedowns and ground-and-pound. His victory launched him toward a blockbuster clash with Stipe Miocic at UFC 226, where he captured the heavyweight belt by knockout. His ability to blend Olympic wrestling with effective striking cemented his reputation as a two-time Division I champion.
Cormier dropped to light heavyweight and earned a title shot against Jon Jones at UFC 182. Despite a decision loss, he rebounded by defending heavyweight gold with a win over Anthony Johnson, becoming the first fighter to defend UFC titles in two divisions. Cormier’s resilience shone through when he outwrestled Volkan Oezdemir and Anthony “Rumble” Johnson, proving his adaptability.
The defining rivalry with Jon Jones spanned three fights. A failed drug test turned their second bout into a no-contest, but Cormier triumphed when Jones was stripped of his title in 2018.
That led to a long-awaited rubber match, though Cormier fell short against Jones’ elite striking and movement. He rebounded with victories over Derrick Lewis and a trilogy showdown with Miocic, where he regained heavyweight gold before concluding his active career with a final title defense in 2020.
Wife
Daniel Cormier married longtime partner Salina Deleon in 2015. Salina, a fitness enthusiast and supportive presence, has accompanied Daniel through world championships, title defenses and commentary duties. The couple has two children, a son and a daughter, and maintain a close-knit family life in Gilroy, California.
Salina often shares glimpses of family vacations and behind-the-scenes moments on her personal social media channels. Cormier credits Salina’s unwavering support during training camps and recovery periods with keeping him grounded and focused.
Daniel Cormier’s Net Worth Details
Daniel Cormier’s net worth is estimated to be between $6-10 million as of 2025.
Fight Purses
| Year | Notable Event | Reported Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | UFC 170 vs Patrick Cummins | $80,000 |
| 2016 | UFC 200 vs Anderson Silva | $500,000 |
| 2017 | UFC 214 vs Jon Jones | $1,000,000 |
| 2018 | UFC 226 vs Stipe Miocic | $500,000 |
| 2019 | UFC 241 vs Stipe Miocic | $500,000 |
| 2020 | UFC 252 vs Stipe Miocic | $500,000 |
| 2025 | UFC Commentary Salary & Bonuses | $500,000+ |
Endorsements
Cormier’s marketability attracts brands like Reebok, Monster Energy and Popeyes. He’s appeared in national ad campaigns and co-created signature apparel lines with UFC’s fight kit partner. His authenticity and championship pedigree resonate with health, fitness and lifestyle brands seeking a respected ambassador.
MMA Career Stats
| Statistic | Total |
|---|---|
| Mixed Fights | 26 |
| Wins | 22 |
| – By Knockout | 10 |
| – By Submission | 5 |
| – By Decision | 7 |
| Losses | 3 |
| – By Knockout | 1 |
| – By Decision | 2 |
| No Contests | 1 |
FAQs
1. What is Daniel Cormier’s net worth?
Daniel Cormier’s net worth is estimated between $6 million and $10 million. His income sources include fight purses totaling over $13 million in his UFC career, a $500K-per-year commentary contract, podcast revenues and endorsement deals.
2. How many UFC titles has Daniel Cormier held?
Daniel Cormier is a former two-division UFC champion, winning both the Light Heavyweight and Heavyweight belts. He defended titles in each division, making him the first fighter to hold simultaneous belts and defend them in both classes.
3. Who is Daniel Cormier married to and how many children do they have?
He is married to Salina Deleon, his partner since 2015. The couple has two children-a son and a daughter-and resides together in Gilroy, California. Salina supports his career through family life, social media collaborations and community events.
4. What is Daniel Cormier’s professional MMA record?
Daniel Cormier retired with a professional MMA record of 22 wins, 3 losses and 1 no contest. His victories include 10 knockouts, 5 submissions and 7 decisions. His three losses came against Jon Jones (two decisions, one no contest) and Stipe Miocic by knockout.
5. What were Daniel Cormier’s major wrestling achievements before UFC?
Cormier was a six-time US World or Olympic freestyle wrestling team member, 2003 Pan American Games gold medalist, 2005 World Championships bronze medalist and 2008 Olympic team captain. He also earned two NCAA All-American honors at Oklahoma State University.
