The Herd with Colin Cowherd - Episode Summary

Episode Title: Daniel Cormier TV - Daniel Cormier & Ben Askren on Conor McGregor at White House, Jon Jones NOT READY, Pereira-Ankalaev
Release Date: March 19, 2025
Hosts: Daniel Cormier & Ben Askren
Produced by: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume

1. Catching Up and Show Evolution [02:22 - 04:09]

Daniel Cormier (D.C.) and Ben Askren open the episode by reflecting on the longevity and evolution of their show, "Funk in the Champ," which they launched on December 12, 2022. They discuss the challenges of maintaining consistency, including initial hurdles like proving the concept with five pilot episodes. Ben reminisces, stating, “We've done two years of Punk in the Champ. That's crazy.”

2. Conor McGregor's Possible Retirement and Political Aspirations [04:04 - 07:55]

The conversation shifts to Conor McGregor's recent appearance at the White House, leading to speculation about his future in MMA and a potential political career.

• Ben Askren: "He's gonna be the prime minister of Ireland next time around. Bank on it." [06:35]
• Daniel Cormier: Expresses a mix of disbelief and sadness over McGregor's transition, saying, "Isn't that sad that a guy that came on and was a lightning rod... is ending that way?" [07:08]

They analyze McGregor's impact on MMA, noting his ability to draw massive attention, and ponder whether his exit from fighting is a loss for the sport.

3. UFC's Business Model: Pay-Per-View vs. Broad Streaming Platforms [13:47 - 25:04]

D.C. and Askren delve into the UFC's evolving business strategies, especially concerning pay-per-view (PPV) models and potential shifts to streaming platforms like Netflix.

• Daniel Cormier: Highlights the importance of big stars in driving PPV sales, reminiscing, "When the UFC sold... it's important to have your biggest stars available in those contract years." [14:00]
• Ben Askren: Critiques Dana White's approach to managing fighter leverage, stating, "Dana's plan forever has been to make the UFC this ubiquitous... which is one of the reasons that the UFC is so profitable for them and the owners." [16:19]

They debate the sustainability of the UFC's current model without relying heavily on marquee names like Conor McGregor, considering the organization's profitability versus fighter satisfaction.

4. Jon Jones' Fight Negotiations and UFC Star Leverage [17:00 - 25:39]

A significant portion of the discussion centers on Jon Jones' negotiations for an upcoming fight against Tom Aspinall.

• Daniel Cormier: Questions the UFC's commitment to facilitating major fights, asking, "How important is it now that the UFC makes this fight happen?" [17:15]
• Ben Askren: Suggests that Dana White may downplay the importance of such negotiations to maintain control, "This is leverage. Jon Jones is saying, I know I'm the biggest star in the UFC right now." [17:59]
• Daniel Cormier: Emphasizes his own experience with UFC negotiations, reflecting, "Those guys do deserve their money... Jon Jones said publicly it would take $30 million." [22:30]

They scrutinize the balance of power between fighters and the UFC, especially regarding contract negotiations and the willingness of stars like Jon Jones to leverage their status for better terms.

5. Alex Pereira's Weight Class and Future in MMA [28:50 - 30:33]

The hosts discuss Alex Pereira's optimal weight class, debating whether he should stay at middleweight or move up to heavyweight.

• Daniel Cormier: Expresses skepticism about Pereira's performance at higher weight classes, stating, "I feel like we've kind of maxed out the weight at which he can go up because his power is so great." [29:10]
• Ben Askren: Agrees slightly but acknowledges Pereira's impressive performance, "He's too slim." [29:33]

They conclude that while Pereira has exceptional power, his physique might limit his effectiveness if he moves up, suggesting that remaining at middleweight could be more beneficial for his career.

6. NCAA Wrestling Tournament Recap [30:30 - 37:28]

Transitioning to collegiate wrestling, Cormier and Askren provide a detailed analysis of the recent NCAA wrestling tournament.

• Daniel Cormier: Shares personal anecdotes about supporting Oklahoma State and their journey through the tournament, mentioning pivotal moments like, "We won the Big 12 championship and... make people ignore how horrendous a final round Oklahoma State had." [31:08]
• Ben Askren: Praises individual wrestlers such as Gable Steveson, stating, "He's the best, bro. Yeah, he's the best." [34:36]

They highlight standout performances, potential future stars, and the overall competitiveness of the tournament, expressing excitement over the rising talent in collegiate wrestling.

7. Media Representation and Public Perception [30:30 - 34:10]

The duo touches on how media outlets like ESPN handle their commentary and the challenges of public perception.

• Daniel Cormier: Criticizes ESPN for selectively editing their discussions, leading to misinterpretations, "They take the words and not the actual video of you explaining what you're saying... the fan generally will go, God, Ben Askren really does suck." [30:30]

They express frustration over media portrayal, emphasizing the importance of context in public discourse about their viewpoints.

8. Closing Remarks and Final Thoughts [37:17 - 37:28]

D.C. and Askren wrap up the episode with a brief reflection on their passion for wrestling and their commitment to discussing it despite external pressures.

• Daniel Cormier: Affirms his dedication, "I love wrestling, dude. It's crazy." [36:39]
• Ben Askren: Teases future collaborations, "Maybe I'll come Saturday night." [37:17]

They encourage listeners to engage with wrestling content and stay tuned for future episodes of "Funk in the Champ."

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Ben Askren: "He's gonna be the prime minister of Ireland next time around. Bank on it." [06:35]
• Daniel Cormier: "Isn't that sad that a guy that came on and was a lightning rod... is ending that way?" [07:08]
• Daniel Cormier: "When the UFC sold... it's important to have your biggest stars available in those contract years." [14:00]
• Ben Askren: "Dana's plan forever has been to make the UFC this ubiquitous... which is one of the reasons that the UFC is so profitable for them and the owners." [16:19]
• Daniel Cormier: "I feel like we've kind of maxed out the weight at which he can go up because his power is so great." [29:10]
• Daniel Cormier: "They take the words and not the actual video of you explaining what you're saying... the fan generally will go, God, Ben Askren really does suck." [30:30]
• Ben Askren: "He's the best, bro. Yeah, he's the best." [34:36]
• Daniel Cormier: "I love wrestling, dude. It's crazy." [36:39]

This episode of "The Herd with Colin Cowherd" offers an in-depth discussion on the current state and future of MMA stars like Conor McGregor and Jon Jones, the business strategies of the UFC, and a comprehensive recap of the NCAA wrestling tournament. Hosts Daniel Cormier and Ben Askren provide insightful analysis, personal anecdotes, and their expert opinions on the evolving landscape of mixed martial arts and collegiate wrestling.