Oklahoma State University Athletics
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Former Cowboy Cormier Dubbed ESPN 2018 MMA Fighter of the Year
December 19, 2018 | Cowboy Wrestling
STILLWATER – Former Oklahoma State wrestler Daniel Cormier had a phenomenal year of competition and capped it off Wednesday with a nod as ESPN's 2018 Fighter of the Year.
In 2018 Cormier became the second fighter in UFC history to hold two belts simultaneously and the first UFC fighter to defend a title belt in multiple weight classes. He won three fights in a calendar year for the first time in his career, all of which were for titles. The former Cowboy is ranked No. 1 in UFC and ESPN Pound-for-Pound rankings.
"We are extremely proud of Daniel, and I am not surprised," said coach John Smith. "He trains hard and lives well. He definitely deserves it."
This year Cormier defeated Volkan Oezdemir and Derrick Lewis, but his biggest victory came in July when he knocked out Stipe Miocic and claimed the heavyweight title.
The UFC fighter competed at OSU for two seasons. In that time, he earned All-America status placing second at 184 pounds in 2001. His amassed a 52-10 record competing in the orange singlet with 36 of those coming in the form of bonus-point victories.
Prior to beginning an illustrious fighting career, Cormier wrestled at the international level representing team USA on the world stage from 2003-2008. He was a member of the 2008 Olympic team, but as a result of injury was unable to compete.
In 2018 Cormier became the second fighter in UFC history to hold two belts simultaneously and the first UFC fighter to defend a title belt in multiple weight classes. He won three fights in a calendar year for the first time in his career, all of which were for titles. The former Cowboy is ranked No. 1 in UFC and ESPN Pound-for-Pound rankings.
"We are extremely proud of Daniel, and I am not surprised," said coach John Smith. "He trains hard and lives well. He definitely deserves it."
This year Cormier defeated Volkan Oezdemir and Derrick Lewis, but his biggest victory came in July when he knocked out Stipe Miocic and claimed the heavyweight title.
The UFC fighter competed at OSU for two seasons. In that time, he earned All-America status placing second at 184 pounds in 2001. His amassed a 52-10 record competing in the orange singlet with 36 of those coming in the form of bonus-point victories.
Prior to beginning an illustrious fighting career, Cormier wrestled at the international level representing team USA on the world stage from 2003-2008. He was a member of the 2008 Olympic team, but as a result of injury was unable to compete.
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