UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier sits down with Shannon Sharpe at Club Shay Shay for an unfiltered conversation about his legendary journey — from Lafayette, Louisiana to becoming one of the greatest fighters to ever step in the octagon.
DC reflects on his humble beginnings, being bullied as a kid, arrested for street fighting in college, and even trying and failing at selling fake crack before finding his path through wrestling. He explains how his wrestling background shaped his fighting style, why his 5’10” height gave him an advantage grappling, and how his first love of boxing through Wide World of Sports laid the foundation for his combat career. Despite not going to school for media, he became one of the most respected voices in sports, proving fans want authenticity and lived experience.
DC relives his iconic rivalry with Jon Jones, from brawling at their first press conference to being knocked out for the first time in his life. He recalls not remembering anything from the knockout to the ambulance ride, and Dana White sending him $1 million afterward. He details how Jones set him up with body kicks before the head-kick KO, why Jones is the most talented fighter ever but not the GOAT because of steroids, and why finding out about Jones’ failed tests felt like losing his first girlfriend. He says Jones wouldn’t beat him at heavyweight, wonders why he won’t fight Tom Aspinall, and insists Jon should fight at the White House so an American can actually win.
Cormier doesn’t hold back on today’s stars: praising Tom Aspinall, calling Derrick Lewis the “Knockout King,” and saying Francis Ngannou looks like the perfect heavyweight champion. He recalls Cyril Gane being starstruck in the ring with Jon Jones, predicts Jake Paul’s boxing ceiling, and weighs in on matchups like Jake Paul vs. Canelo Alvarez, Anthony Joshua, and Mike Tyson. He even explains why boxers can’t beat MMA fighters in a street fight.
On his personal Mount Rushmore, DC picks Demetrious Johnson, Georges St-Pierre, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Chuck Liddell, and Randy Couture — leaving off Anderson Silva and Jon Jones because of steroids. He shares why Khabib is the greatest fighter ever, how their friendship formed, and why Dagestan fighters like Khabib and Islam Makhachev are so dominant. He recalls Khabib turning down $40 million to fight again, explains why Conor McGregor’s money ruined his career, and calls Khabib vs. McGregor the biggest fight in UFC history.
Outside the octagon, DC talks about nearly playing football at LSU, cornering Herschel Walker, his run-ins with fighters like Ronda Rousey, Miesha Tate, and Brock Lesnar (who he says he’d beat easily), and why he never wanted to join WWE despite the money. He also touches on his friendships with athletes across sports — from Christian McCaffrey, the Manning brothers, and Bronny James to Ken Griffey Jr., Barry Bonds, Vlad Guerrero Jr., and Tom Brady — and whether athletes’ kids can ever surpass their famous fathers.
Finally, DC gives Shannon insight into fight preparation, the science of recovery, and competing into his 40s like LeBron James, Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. He reveals how a simple sneeze before the Derrick Lewis fight ended his career, why even LeBron could face the same fate from one freak injury, and why a fighter’s legacy can change in a single moment.
From rivalries and weight cuts to family, fatherhood, and fighting for legacy — this is Daniel Cormier like you’ve never heard him before.
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About Club Shay Shay:
Club Shay Shay is a weekly podcast hosted by Shannon Sharpe – 3x Super Bowl champion, member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Each week Shannon will sit down with athletes, celebrities and influencers to break down, analyze and discuss the latest headlines in sports, pop culture and everything in-between. Get on the VIP list at Club Shay Shay NOW and never miss an episode!
Daniel Cormier | EP. 177
https://youtu.be/lirmXwe73cw
Club Shay Shay
https://www.youtube.com/c/ClubShayShay
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- anderson silva
- anthony joshua
- Athlete
- brock lesnar
- canelo alvarez
- Club Shay Shay
- Club Shay Shay podcast
- conor mcgregor
- cyril gane
- dana white
- daniel cormier
- DanielCormier
- derrick lewis
- floyd mayweather
- francis ngannou
- heavyweight
- ishow speed
- islam makhachev
- jake paul
- joe rogan
- jon jones
- khabib nurmagomedov
- Mike Tyson
- mma
- ronda rousey
- Shannon Sharpe
- Shannon Sharpe Club
- Shay Shay
- Shay Shay podcast
- Sports
- stipe miocic
- tom aspinall
- ufc
00:00 – The Arsenal of a Champion
03:41 – Welcome to Club Shay with Daniel Cormier
07:56 – The Secrets to Longevity in Sports
15:04 – Approach to Fighting
21:00 – The Battle with Jon Jones
29:02 – Steroids and Legacy
30:09 – Jon Jones: The Greatest Talent in MMA
36:02 – UFC 200: Heartbreak and Challenges
43:36 – Mount Rushmore of Fighters: A Tough Choice
45:11 – The UFC's Rise and Changes
48:13 – Conor McGregor's Downfall
57:01 – Legacy and Expectations in Sports
1:00:19 – Living in the Shadow of Success
1:03:04 – Khabib: A True Champion
1:09:36 – The Power of the Heavyweights
1:15:19 – Dark Side of a Champion
1:19:24 – Hard Hitting Encounters
1:24:25 – The Pain of Knockouts
1:30:22 – Physical Injuries from Fights
1:32:15 – Opinions on Jake Paul and Boxing
1:36:11 – Experiences with Contracts and Negotiations
1:45:22 – Family and Pride
1:46:55 – Relationships and Selfishness
1:49:55 – Loss and Memory
2:00:27 – Weight Cutting Strategies
2:08:41 – Journey into Wrestling and Self-Defense
2:12:14 – Life Lessons from Street Fighting
🫱🏻🫲🏼this made go on a dc binge !now watching stipe fight #1🫱🏻🫲🏼
2:34 SoCo set your hair on fire? SoCo is SMOOOOTH bc it’s a liqueur, not even a liquor.
I already loved DC but this interview just made me appreciate him more. This man will be studied and admired for generations ✌🏼
Great pod
DC to meet you are the number one pound champion ever what did you do that other organizations to talk offenders how you picked up Bigfoot that it was so crazy it was amazing you're an incredible fighter and to me you're number one pound for pound no matter what when will you have a YouTube channel that teaches wrestling strictly
had to come back and watch this gem again, thank you Unc from the MMA community for giving DC his flowers!
Let’s keep getting DC to talk about the past glory !!!
Yeaaaah I'm a DC fan after this❤️
🤍
Do Jon jones next
Do rampage Jackson
"Double Champion" was the reiteration for Me… Daniel literally lost to the GOAT at LHW on steroids… TWICE… And the GOAT at HW even beating Him once… His resume can't get any better… Especially because He didn't duck anyone especially at the age He was at at the time… Relish in Your accomplishments Brother… You have THE RIGHTS… most of the "FANS" would never put in the hard work or dedication to master any sort of "CRAFT" they have available… You've Done it thrice… Wrestling, Football and MMA… You're one of the best Man… Gloat as much as You want…
1:21:36 My Condolences Daniel ❤
Даниел просто хороший человек.
Slow down bucko. I don’t think Vlad Jr is better than Sr just yet now 🤨
As great as DC was, he wasn't 1/3 as good as Jon Jones. Jones made him CRY two times lol.
DC is a great man. I've actually always liked him & glad he's on top.
DC also has a great memory of stories and his storytelling is also very entertaining.
1:11:35 67!!!!!
1:20:20 😂😂😂
DC man we love you
What a fkn episode. Both guys are legends and legendary in this interview as well. Thank you to you both for this gift
DC was right Gane was that good to possibly beat Tom! He showed up Saturday!
Love DC and everything he represents. I didn't know he had that much travesty 😢in his life. He's a champion 🏆 in life
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Sorry DC Jon is the Goat and JJ was the GOAT. No hundred millionth of a pico caused that head kick. To be honest Jon already told you would do that before the fight.
Great interview!
More MMA !!!!!
Less actors
"Iam Calling Him Captain America" 😂🤣💀
In the end, DC wins….in regards to Jon Jones.
Look at your insights this is my Sedond time watching this 2 hour interview. We need a part 2
Jones the GOAT
shannon is such a warm and friendly dude.