Daniel Cormier is one of the most famous names in combat sports history. He is a former double champion who dominated in both the heavyweight and light heavyweight divisions.
Even after retiring, he stays busy as a commentator and analyst for the UFC. Fans love him for his skills inside the cage and his fun personality outside of it.
In this article, you will know Daniel Cormier’s Net worth, career earnings, career overview, stats, relationship, and more.
Daniel Cormier’s Biography
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Daniel Ryan Cormier |
| Date of Birth | March 20, 1979 |
| Age | 46 |
| Education | Oklahoma State University (OSU), Colby Community College |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) |
| Weight | Heavyweight (approx. 235 lbs) |
| Turned Pro | 2009 |
| Net Worth | $10 Million – $15 Million |
| Career Earnings | Approx. $12.5 Million (UFC & Strikeforce) |
| Wife | Salina Deleon |
| Instagram Profile | @dc_mma |
| Twitter Profile | @dc_mma |
Early Career
Daniel Cormier started his journey on the wrestling mat long before he ever stepped into a cage. He was a standout wrestler in high school in Louisiana, winning three state championships.
His success continued in college at Colby Community College, where he won two national titles. He later transferred to Oklahoma State University and became an NCAA runner-up.
His skills took him to the biggest stage in sports: the Olympic Games. Daniel made the United States Olympic wrestling team in 2004. He finished fourth place that year. He made the team again in 2008 and was named the team captain.
Sadly, he could not compete in 2008 because of kidney failure caused by a hard weight cut. After his wrestling days ended, he decided to try mixed martial arts. He wanted to use his elite wrestling background to become a champion in a new sport.
Professional Career
Daniel began his pro fighting career in 2009. He started in an organization called Strikeforce.
He surprised everyone by winning the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix tournament. He beat big names like Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva and Josh Barnett to take the belt. This success proved he was ready for the UFC.
When he joined the UFC, he made history. He moved down to the light heavyweight division and won the title. Later, he went back up to heavyweight and knocked out Stipe Miocic to win that belt too.
This made him a “Champ-Champ,” holding two titles at the same time. He is one of only a few fighters to ever do this.
He fought huge rivals like Jon Jones and retired in 2020 after a legendary trilogy with Miocic. Today, he works for the UFC as a commentator and runs his own wrestling academy.
Wife
Daniel Cormier is married to his longtime partner, Salina Deleon. The couple got married in June 2017, but they were together for many years before that. Salina has been a huge support system for Daniel throughout his fighting career.
They have two children together. Their son, Daniel Cormier Jr., was born in 2011 and is already following in his dad’s footsteps as a young wrestler.
Their daughter, Marquita Kalani Cormier, was born in 2012. Daniel often shares pictures of his family and credits Salina for holding everything together while he was training for big fights.
Daniel Cormier’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Daniel Cormier has an estimated net worth between $10 million and $15 million. He built this wealth through big fight checks, bonuses, and his current job as a TV analyst.
Fight Purses
| Opponent | Event | Base Salary | Est. Total Payout (inc. Bonuses/PPV) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stipe Miocic | UFC 252 (2020) | $500,000 | $930,000 |
| Stipe Miocic | UFC 241 (2019) | $500,000 | $940,000 |
| Derrick Lewis | UFC 230 (2018) | $500,000 | $590,000 |
| Stipe Miocic | UFC 226 (2018) | $500,000 | $770,000 |
| Jon Jones | UFC 214 (2017) | $1,000,000 | $2,290,000 |
| Anderson Silva | UFC 200 (2016) | $500,000 | $1,080,833 |
| Jon Jones | UFC 182 (2015) | $1,090,000 | $2,270,000 |
Career Earnings
| Year | Total Earnings (Est.) |
|---|---|
| 2020 | $930,000 |
| 2019 | $940,000 |
| 2018 | $2,100,000 |
| 2017 | $3,030,000 |
| 2016 | $1,080,833 |
| 2015 | $3,035,000 |
Endorsements
Daniel makes a lot of money outside of the cage through sponsorships. He has a long-standing deal with Monster Energy, and you can often see their logo on his clothing.
He also works with Total Wireless and Oakgrove Technologies, promoting their services on his social media and YouTube channel.
Additionally, he has partnered with DraftKings for sports betting promotions. In the past, he had deals with shoe companies and wrestling gear brands like Nearfall Clothing.
These deals add significantly to his yearly income.
Career Stats
| Stat | Record/Number |
|---|---|
| Total Fights | 26 |
| Wins | 22 |
| Losses | 3 |
| No Contests | 1 |
| Knockout Wins (KO/TKO) | 10 |
| Submission Wins | 5 |
| Decision Wins | 7 |
| Championships | UFC Heavyweight & Light Heavyweight Champion |
FAQs
1. Is Daniel Cormier a double champion?
Yes, Daniel Cormier is one of the rare fighters to hold two championship belts at the same time. He first held the Light Heavyweight title and then knocked out Stipe Miocic to win the Heavyweight belt. This major victory made him only the second “champ-champ” in the history of the UFC.
2. Why did Cormier retire from the UFC?
Cormier officially retired from professional fighting in August 2020 after losing his final match against Stipe Miocic. He chose to leave the sport to keep a promise to his family and to avoid taking more damage at an older age. He now focuses on his other jobs outside of the octagon.
3. Did Daniel Cormier wrestle in the Olympics?
He competed for the United States wrestling team in the 2004 Olympic Games and finished in fourth place. Daniel was also named the team captain for the 2008 Olympics, but he had to pull out of the event due to severe kidney problems from cutting weight.
4. What is Cormier doing now?
He currently works as a lead commentator for major UFC events and hosts a popular sports analysis show on ESPN. Additionally, Daniel serves as the head wrestling coach at Gilroy High School in California, where he teaches young athletes how to improve their skills.
5. Who defeated Daniel Cormier?
Only two opponents officially beat him during his entire mixed martial arts career. Jon Jones won a decision against him, and Stipe Miocic defeated him twice during their famous trilogy of heavyweight title fights. A second loss to Jones was later changed to a no-contest.
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