Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd

Daniel Cormier Show – Islam Makhachev, Khamzat Chimaev, Alex Pereira & DC's Top-5 Interviews of 2025

Date: December 31, 2025

Episode Overview

In this end-of-year special, Daniel Cormier revisits his top five interviews ("check-ins") with MMA superstars from 2025, bringing listeners highlights packed with insight, humor, and honesty. Featuring candid moments and sharp analysis, DC spotlights key conversations with Islam Makhachev, Khamzat Chimaev, Alex Pereira, Umar Nurmagomedov, and Arman Tsarukyan, each at critical career junctures. The episode captures the human side of elite fighters and the inside jokes, intensity, and brotherhood of MMA.

Key Discussion Points & Detailed Highlights

DC’s Top-5 Fighter Interviews of 2025

1. #5: Umar Nurmagomedov (Los Angeles, pre-UFC Championship fight)

• Setting: Pre-fight, LA’s Intuit Dome, candid back-and-forth with Daniel about “gangster” culture, respect, and the build-up to his bantamweight title shot.
• Main Themes:
  • What it means to be a “gangster” (playful banter about shoes, origins, and true toughness).
  • Debate about merit, win streaks, and deserving title shots versus UFC politics.
  • Umar’s perspective on fighting Marab Dvalishvili and the emotional grind of reaching title contention.
• Notable Quotes:
  • Umar: “Gangsters not people who fighting in the gym… Gangsters in the street.” (06:00)
  • Cormier: “Okay, well, I am [a gangster]. You ain’t gonna change my mind. I know what I am. I’m from the streets, okay?” (07:21)
  • Umar: “No, for respect. Respect. It’s like you one of the greatest fighter. It’s respect. I say true, it’s true. You are you, brother. Former champion, dude.” (07:54)
• Timestamps:
  • Playful “gangster” debate: 04:00–08:00
  • Title contention and Marab discussion: 08:30–11:00
  • Umar on support from the AKA/Dagestan team: 12:55–13:55

2. #4: Khamzat Chimaev (Chicago, pre-middleweight title fight)

• Setting: Fight week; DC and Khamzat discuss past moments, fighting mentality, money vs. legacy, and preparation.
• Main Themes:
  • Chimaev’s drive: fighting for family and financial security over legacy or belts.
  • Inactivity with visa issues; finally returning to action in the U.S.
  • Unique training methods to silence critics about his cardio.
  • Humor, musing about fashion and “being cute,” bantering about DC’s looks.
• Notable Quotes:
  • Khamzat: “You want a $10 million or just the belt?” (34:05)
  • Cormier: “No, I’m not taking the belt over the money. But the belt leads to the money…” (34:18)
  • Khamzat: "If he works hard, belt is coming, bro. ... I need to beat the guy. ... I don't need that belt." (34:24)
  • Khamzat: “I will kill everybody. Smash this guy for sure. I thought you’re like crazy guy.” (40:43)
• Timestamps:
  • Motivation & money talk: 34:05–34:40
  • Cardio and training humor: 35:59–37:14

3. #3: Arman Tsarukyan (on a yacht post-Dan Hooker victory)

• Setting: Post-victory, Arman confidently expects next title shot—but remains frustrated by UFC’s hesitancy.
• Main Themes:
  • Frustration over being passed for title shots despite dominant performances.
  • Candid opinions about other contenders: dismisses Paddy Pimblett, critiques UFC promotional choices.
  • Views on division politics and UFC matchmaking.
  • Banter about being slapped, the importance of “the moment,” and playful trash talk.
• Notable Quotes:
  • Tsarukyan: “I'm a real deal. … I'm not fake like Paddy Pimlet making ranked by their self and UFC Teller bring him up because we want to give him title fight...” (49:57)
  • DC: “You do you. So is it disappointing, though, that you haven't… been told that you're next?” (55:40)
  • Tsarukyan (on Pimblett): “No, he sucks.” (58:38)
  • Tsarukyan: “I just want to say, Ilya, get your balls and take the fight. Let’s make it happen. People is waiting.” (67:30)
• Timestamps:
  • Frustration with title shot: 45:19–50:51
  • Candid judgments on contenders: 58:10–61:09
  • Callout to Ilia Topuria: 67:30

4. #2: Alex “Poatan” Pereira (pre-title rematch against Magomed Ankalaev)

• Setting: Prior to reclaiming his light heavyweight title, Alex opens up about injury, criticism, and his rapid UFC stardom.
• Main Themes:
  • Candid about fighting while injured in his last fight; vows a healthy, aggressive gameplan this time.
  • Humor about home life, “stone heads” at the house, and steak preferences with DC.
  • Navigating the UFC's sometimes fickle matchmaking; dealing with the emotional toll and his infamous “hacked” tweet.
  • Talks about overcoming criticism, evolving as a fighter, and feeling validated as one of UFC’s most-discussed stars.
• Notable Quotes:
  • Pereira (via interpreter): “Honestly speaking, if I'm 100% healthy, I don't think I had to learn or change anything. I had to just show up healthy.” (88:06)
  • Cormier: “Nobody 7–1 should be UFC champion, but he was because he’s a special athlete.” (95:42)
• Timestamps:
  • Injury & comeback: 76:10–88:43
  • On his UFC evolution: 92:36–95:24
  • DC admitting his belief after Alex KO’ed Adesanya: 94:02

5. #1: Islam Makhachev (before becoming double champ at MSG)

• Setting: Fight week, MSG; DC and Islam’s brotherly relationship on display with relentless jokes and serious insight.
• Main Themes:
  • Islam’s playful rivalry with DC, teasing about lateness and training days at AKA.
  • Candid on chasing legacy: wanting double-champ status for history, not just money.
  • Technical talk: wrestling vs. striking, thoughts on Jack Della Maddalena, dismissing the “one-camp” improvement idea.
  • Reflection on Dagestan, the camaraderie at AKA, and the honor of their shared legacy.
• Notable Quotes:
  • Islam: “Now it’s the legacy. Now the second belt. People fight for the second belt just for the legacy...” (111:43)
  • Islam: “You promised me not gonna… cut it [the beard]. … From today to summertime.” (103:16)
  • DC: “You’ve done so much. You might not have thought that you could be up there, but … it was very evident that you would be a world champion.” (116:50)
  • Islam: “Let's make one camp in AKA, not like crazy hard training just for lose weight, you know, with me, you, Habib.” (117:36)
• Timestamps:
  • Banter about lateness, training days, DC’s beard: 100:58–103:28
  • Thoughts on Jack Della Maddalena & the fight: 104:04–109:16
  • On legacy and history: 111:43–113:38
  • On brotherhood and gym stories: 116:35–118:44

Memorable/Notable Moments & Quotes

• The “Gangster” Debate: Umar and DC discuss what it really means to be a gangster, with Umar playfully refusing to grant DC “gangster” status.

  • “Gangster not sitting in front of camera and talking with fighters. Gangsters try to hide.” – Umar Nurmagomedov (06:30)

• Khamzat’s Money>Belts Philosophy:

  • “If I get Take it, maybe bring that [belt] back to my country and give it someone.” – Khamzat Chimaev (34:24)

• Arman Tsarukyan’s dismissiveness toward Paddy Pimblett:

  • “No, he sucks.” – Arman Tsarukyan (58:38)

• Alex Pereira’s calm confidence:

  • “If I’m 100% healthy, I don’t think I had to learn or change anything. I had to just show up healthy.” (88:06)

• Islam’s approach to greatness:

  • “Now it’s the legacy. Now the second belt. People fight for the second belt just for the legacy...” (111:43)

Timestamps Overview (Highlight Segments)

| Segment | Timestamps | |---------------------------------------------|-----------------| | Umar - Banter, “Gangster” & Title Talk | 04:00–15:00 | | Khamzat - Motivation, Training, & DDP | 30:51–41:00 | | Arman - Title Shot Frustration & Call-Outs | 45:19–68:08 | | Alex Pereira - Home Life & Ankalaev Rivalry| 71:05–95:42 | | Islam - Legacy, Gym Stories, Double Champ | 99:42–119:11 |

Summary & Takeaways

Daniel Cormier’s end-of-year episode offers fans a front-row seat to the personalities, motivations, and vulnerabilities of the UFC’s biggest stars as they chase glory. With trademark warmth, humor, and depth, DC's interviews delve into what motivates greatness—not just talent, but drive, identity, and the bonds between fighters. The episode stands out for blending technical fight talk, cultural banter, and real friendship, providing a fitting close to a milestone year for both DC and the athletes he spotlights.

For New Listeners

Even if you missed these interviews in real-time, this episode captures the best moments, personalities, and stories that shaped UFC in 2025. Whether you're a hardcore fan or casual listener, DC's unique chemistry with his guests ensures both laughs and big-picture insights into life at the summit of combat sports.