The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Daniel Cormier TV: DC REACTS to Islam Makhachev beating Jack Della, CRAZY Bo Nickal & Carlos Prates KOs

Date: November 16, 2025
Podcast: The Herd with Colin Cowherd (iHeartPodcasts and The Volume)
Guest Host: Daniel Cormier (DC)

Overview

In this episode, UFC legend and commentator Daniel Cormier delivers his post-fight reactions to the electric UFC 322 card. Broadcasting straight from the arena, Cormier breaks down Islam Makhachev’s dominant win over Jack Della Maddalena to become a two-division champion, thrilling knockouts by Bo Nickal and Carlos Prates, Valentina Shevchenko’s assertion of GOAT status, and more stunning performances up and down the card. Cormier’s analysis highlights what each star's win means for their futures, as well as the overall evolution of the UFC’s most competitive divisions.

Main Discussion Points & Analysis

Islam Makhachev Becomes Double Champion

[05:26 – 10:56]

• Dominant Win: Makhachev, the heavy favorite, defeats Jack Della Maddalena via shutout (50-45 on all judges' cards).
  • “Islam proved why he was such a massive favorite in this fight, totally controlling Jack Della Maddalena...” (05:40)
• Tactics: Early leg kicks set up the fight, but as usual, it was his wrestling/grappling that controlled the action.
• Jack’s Preparation: Cormier credits Della Maddalena’s readiness but says, “When it came time to put everything into action, there were no answers.” (06:30)
• Makachev’s Growth: DC shares pride seeing Makhachev reach greatness, referencing his journey from Dagestan to champion status.
  • “He deserves everything he gets...he’s earned it with hard work, commitment, everything.” (07:04)
• Historical Significance: Makhachev is now expected to reclaim the #1 pound-for-pound ranking; joins the rare group of UFC double champions.
  • “He ensures himself to be remembered as one of the greatest of all time.” (09:18)
• Khabib’s Joke: Khabib teases DC, “Put your eyes down, right? Because now we have a guy that has two belts.” (09:12)

Valentina Shevchenko’s Legacy Fight

[10:57 – 12:11]

• Dominates Weili Zhang: Shevchenko wins decisively, reinforcing the importance of weight classes.
  • “She really did just dominate her in a way that I didn’t expect.” (11:08)
• Historic Run: Now 9 title defenses, 11 title fight wins.
  • “Only Jon Jones and Anderson Silva, I think, have that many title fight victories. She’s in rarefied air.” (11:55)
• GOAT Debate: DC calls for Shevchenko to be considered alongside Amanda Nunes as possible greatest female fighter ever.
  • “I believe it’s time for us to start having the conversation on whether or not Valentina Shevchenko now should be considered the greatest female fighter of all time.” (12:05)
• MJ–LeBron Comparison:
  • “Maybe we older people still think Michael Jordan is the greatest of all time, and the young kids still think LeBron James is. But at least now there’s a conversation.” (12:02)

Prospect Surges and Wild Knockouts

[12:11 – 15:49]

Michael Morales Stuns Sean Brady

• First-Round KO: Morales moves to 19-0, crushes Brady, the #2 welterweight, in one round.
  • “This kid’s 19-0, and he just knocked out the number two guy in the world in the first round.” (12:24)
• Stacked Division: Despite the huge win, Morales must navigate the UFC’s deepest division in pursuit of a title shot.

Carlos Prates KOs Leon Edwards

• Upset Narrative: After being wrestled in Round 1, Prates taunts Edwards, “I didn’t come to grapple, I came to fight.” (13:44)
• Fight-Changer: Gets Edwards to stand with him, promptly knocks out one of MMA’s best strikers.
  • “That was very impressive by Prates, and in most cases, that would have guaranteed him a title fight. Unfortunately, he fights at 170, where it’s just so deep, guys.” (14:20)
• Division Depth: Emphasizes constant influx of new contenders—next week, Ian Garry (who beat Prates) faces Belal Muhammad.

Benoit Saint-Denis’ Instant KO

• Spectacular Finish: Knocks out Beneil Dariush in 16 seconds.
  • “Benoit Saint-Denis knocked him out...in 16 seconds” (15:10)
• Comeback Story: Rebounds from prior loss, now riding a win streak.

Bo Nickal’s Breakout Head Kick KO

• Signature Moment:
  • “Bo Nickal had one of the nastiest head kick knockouts ever. It was exactly what that kid needed.” (15:50)
• Resilience: After his first career loss, Nickal arrives as a fast-improving threat, especially notable given his wrestling background.

Additional Highlights

• Aaron Blanchfield: Submits Tracy Cortez—striking creates wrestling opportunities, putting her into the title conversation.
• Ethan Ewing: Wins on two-day’s notice, praised for professionalism and heart.
• Kyle Daukaus: Victorious return to the UFC.
• Sousakayev: TKO win over Eric McConnico.

Context, Records & Reflections

[16:10 – 17:45]

• Makachev’s Historic Streak: Ties Anderson Silva for most consecutive UFC victories (16 wins).
  • “He now ties Anderson Silva for the most consecutive victories in UFC history at 16. That’s crazy.” (16:13)
• Big Fights Ahead: DC predicts Ilia Topuria is Makachev’s best challenge left.
• Performance of the Night: Cormier awards “Total Wireless Fighter of the Night” to Bo Nickal.
  • “That head kick was insane...To show that level of striking as a wrestler tells you that Bo Nickal really is jumping to the next level.” (16:59)

Closing Thoughts

[17:46 – End]

• DC describes UFC 322 at Madison Square Garden as, “one of the best fight nights of my entire life.” (17:30)
• Tribute to fighters, encouragement to fans to follow for more.
• “Islam’s the man now. Islam’s the man as many believed he would be.” (17:42)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Islam’s dominance:
  • “There is no DC, you are being biased. You can’t judge Islam harshly for what he did tonight. It really was a shutout against a guy that was very well prepared and ready for the challenge.” (08:36)
• On Valentina’s place in history:
  • “There is no one like Valentina Shevchenko. And I believe it’s time that people start to give her the respect that she deserves...I don’t know that she’s just a great fighter. I think she’s one of the greatest of all time.” (11:56 – 12:03)
• On Bo Nickal’s KO:
  • “The way that he set it up, the way that he landed it, the way that he put him out was unbelievable.” (17:02)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Islam Makhachev’s Win, Double Champ Status: 05:26–10:56
• Valentina Shevchenko’s Legacy Victory: 10:57–12:11
• Michael Morales KO / Welterweight Mayhem: 12:11–13:00
• Carlos Prates KOs Leon Edwards: 13:00–14:20
• Benoit Saint-Denis’ 16-second KO: 14:20–14:50
• Bo Nickal’s Highlight Head Kick: 15:00–15:49
• Additional Results & Prospects: 15:50–16:10
• Record-Breaking, Performance Award: 16:10–17:10
• Final Reflections: 17:30–17:42

Summary

Daniel Cormier’s post-UFC 322 reactions deliver detailed, authentic, and passionate insight into a stacked night of fights headlined by Islam Makhachev’s historic achievement. Cormier highlights how the night elevated or redefined fighters' careers—from upstarts like Morales and Nickal to legends like Shevchenko and Makhachev, and how the UFC’s deep divisions ensure constant excitement and unpredictability. His candid analysis and celebratory tone make this episode a must-listen for fight fans seeking expert, ringside perspective.