UFC legend Daniel Cormier has suggested he avoided 'fist bumping' announcer Bruce Buffer to ensure he did not bring bad luck to his title fights.
Cormier had a hugely successful career in the Octagon, where he reigned as a UFC double-champion, picking up the belts in the light-heavyweight and heavyweight divisions during his eight-year career. The MMA legend became the first fighter in the promotion's history to make title defences in two weight classes, beating the likes of Frank Mir and Alexander Gustafsson during his tenure.
He has taken a step back from fighting after retiring in 2020 following a trilogy defeat by Stipe Miocic. And he has revealed that during his career, one of his many rituals was to become fired up for his contests by listening closely to the legendary announcing of Buffer.
He said during UFC 281 fight week: “Fighters dream about being in the UFC title fight and having Bruce Buffer and there’s a lot that goes into it because the lights go off and then you’re standing there with some guy that wants to rip your head off and Bruce is in there looking as good as any person that’s ever dressed in the history of humanity.
"And he starts to say your name and my thing was always to get through it, get fired up by it, never give Bruce the fist-bump. Kiss of death, at least it used to be. The guys have started to kind of like not lose as much when they fist-bump Bruce. But for a while, you fist-bump Bruce, you lose your title.
"Again, the glitz and the glamor, his whole thing is as UFC as UFC comes. And the UFC would not be the same as Bruce Buffer. It’s a magical moment being in there with him.” Buffer has been announcing in the UFC since 1996 and has covered the promotion's biggest-selling events, including the clash between Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov.
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Cormier, who is now a UFC analyst and commentator, has formed friendships with several fighters during his career, including Russian legend Nurmagomedov. The former heavyweight has been full of praise for Nurmagomedov and his protege, Islam Makhachev, who was recently crowned UFC lightweight champion.
Cormier has named his friend Nurmagomedov in his top-five all-time list in combat sports ahead of legendary boxing star Muhammad Ali. He said: "So, hear me out, you might disagree with me on this, Muhammad Ali at No.3," he said during an interview on First Take. "One of the greatest boxers of all time, what he did transcended the sport. But here is the difference, he was a pillar of our community.
"I have reserved the top of my list for the undefeated. He was not undefeated. At two we put in Khabib Nurmagomedov and he was 29-0. The way that he beat Conor McGregor was second to none and he could have defended his belt as many times as he wanted."
