From the Mat to the Octagon: Daniel Cormier’s Journey to Lauded Athlete and UFC Champion

Over the weekend, former Oklahoma State wrestler Daniel Cormier was inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame. Originally from Lafayette, Louisiana, Cormier had a successful wrestling career that began in high school at Northside High School where he won three state championships.

After graduating from high school, Cormier continued his dominance at Colby Community College in Kansas, winning two NJCAA national championships with a perfect 61-0 record over two years. Upon transferring to Oklahoma State, Cormier went on to have an impressive collegiate career, posting a 52-10 record across the 2000 and 2001 seasons. He qualified for the NCAA Championships in both years and earned All-America honors in 2001, finishing as national runner-up at 184 pounds.

Cormier played a crucial role in helping OSU win Big 12 championships during both of his seasons. After completing his collegiate wrestling career, Cormier transitioned to freestyle wrestling and represented the United States, winning gold medals at the Pan American Championships in 2002 and the Pan American Games in 2003. He then went on to have a successful mixed martial arts career, joining the UFC in 2013 and accumulating 22 wins in 26 fights before retiring.

Being inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame, Cormier expressed gratitude for his home state’s role in his career, stating “Boy, it’s good to be a kid from Louisiana.” This recognition further solidifies Cormier’s legacy as one of the top wrestlers to come out of Oklahoma State University.