Daniel Cormier, a UFC Hall of Famer and one of the most decorated fighters in MMA history, recently peeled back the curtain on a bout that felt almost effortless. Known for his brutal wrestling and relentless pace, Cormier’s career is studded with iconic wins—but one showdown stands apart.
Reflecting on his clash with a fellow legend, the two-division champ admitted, “I flip him through the air,” describing a fight where he entered an almost trance-like zone. For fans, this revelation offers a rare glimpse into the mind of a competitor who made dominance look routine.
Daniel Cormier’s masterclass against a UFC legend
On May 24, 2014, at UFC 173, Cormier faced off against Dan Henderson—a Pride FC icon known for his thunderous right hand and iron chin. What unfolded was less a fight and more a wrestling clinic. Cormier, an Olympic-level grappler, tossed Henderson around the octagon like a ragdoll, culminating in a third-round rear naked choke. Years later, Daniel Cormier vividly recalled the surreal ease of that night:
“I got in the flow state… Everything was working.”
From the opening bell, Cormier’s technical brilliance shone. He described a sequence where he hit Henderson with a “step around,” followed by a “Polish lateral drop”—a rarely seen throw in MMA.
“I get on a high crotch, flip him through the air… then foot-sweep him from behind,” Cormier recounted, almost marveling at his own precision.
For Henderson, a warrior with 47 pro fights, it was an uncharacteristically one-sided affair.
Why this fight stands out
While Daniel Cormier’s UFC resume includes wins over legends like Stipe Miocic and Anthony Johnson, the Henderson bout epitomized his tactical genius. “It was like I couldn’t make a mistake,” he said, crediting his ability to stay “present” in the moment. Henderson, then 43, was no pushover—he’d knocked out Fedor Emelianenko and Maurício “Shogun” Rua in the years prior. But against Cormier’s suffocating top game and creative throws, even “Hendo” had no answers.
Cormier’s legacy: From ruthless competitor to beloved analyst
Since retiring from UFC in 2020, Cormier has transitioned seamlessly into broadcasting, though his competitive fire still flickers (see: his recent spat with Michael Bisping). Yet his in-cage brilliance remains his defining trait. At his peak, “DC” blended brute strength with a chess master’s foresight, dismantling opponents who underestimated his adaptability. “People forget I wasn’t just a wrestler,” he once said. “I learned to strike, to adjust… that’s why I lasted.”
Daniel Cormier’s dissection of Dan Henderson wasn’t just a win—it was a performance art piece. By revisiting this fight, fans are reminded why Cormier sits atop MMA’s pantheon: a man who turned violence into poetry. As he put it, “When you’re in that zone, it’s not about fighting. It’s about creating something nobody can take from you.”