Daniel Cormier TV - DC REACTS to Islam Makhachev vs. Jack Della Maddalena, Dana White says White House IS ON

Summary

The Herd with Colin Cowherd — DCTV: DC REACTS to Islam Makhachev vs. Jack Della Maddalena, Dana White says White House IS ON

Date: August 30, 2025
Host: Daniel Cormier (“DC”)
Podcast Network: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume

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Episode Overview

This episode of DCTV, hosted by Daniel Cormier, reacts to Dana White’s groundbreaking announcement about a UFC event at the White House, provides exclusive insights into the much-anticipated Islam Makhachev vs. Jack Della Maddalena fight, and covers key developments for UFC's Madison Square Garden card—including the Weili vs. Shevchenko superfight and other pivotal matchups. Cormier shares his personal reflections on the significance of these news pieces and gives listeners a behind-the-scenes perspective on the fight game.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. UFC Comes to the White House (04:04–06:26)

• Dana White’s Capitol Visit: Dana White recently met with President Trump and White House staff to finalize a historic UFC event hosted at the White House, moving this once-unlikely rumor into reality.

  • “There was so much hesitancy when that was first announced…and honestly, even I on my part was [skeptical]: they can’t do this.” (04:15)
  • White signaled serious progress a year ago; now, the July 4th, 2026 event is officially happening.
  • “The White House event is actually on. There is no maybe. There is no possibly. July 4th, hey, I know we can’t call it Noche USA, but it’s like on Noche UFC while we celebrate Mexican independence. I hope that this card is built around our country and really does pay tribute…” (05:09)

• Event Significance:

  • Strong tone of patriotism, hopes for an all-American themed card, and the rarity of sports at such a historic location.
  • Cormier reflects on his personal journey and gratitude at being able to attend the White House after missing prior opportunities.
  • “This time, I finally get to go to the White House. And for a kid like me from Lafayette, Louisiana, I never in my life would have thought…that is not even a dream we even think possible, but I’ve lived the dream…A lot of that is due to you guys…” (12:11)

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2. Madison Square Garden Card Developments (06:27–09:41)

• Weili vs. Shevchenko Superfight:

  • With Zhang Weili vacating her title, the long-desired showdown is official for New York.
  • “Anyone that loves MMA, anyone that has a desire to see the best fight each other, you wanted to see these two women fight each other for the flyweight championship. That’s happening now in New York City. It’s official.” (06:50)
  • Cormier underlines their dominance as perennial female fighters of the year post-Amanda Nunes.

• Leon Edwards vs. Carlos Protest:

  • Unexpected matchup; Cormier was surprised Leon accepted after previous experiences with grapplers.
  • “If you’re Leon Edwards…you say, I don’t want to end up in there with another wrestler like Brady. This is the type of fight I need to take.” (08:21)
  • Points to the stylistic chess match and strategy—Edwards avoids wrestlers, finds a striking matchup more to his taste.

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3. Islam Makhachev vs. Jack Della Maddalena Announcement (09:42–11:25)

• Official Main Event:

  • Confirmed by Dana White: Islam moves up to challenge Jack Della Maddalena at MSG.
  • Physique and challenge noted: “He’s bigger. He’s much bigger than he was before, and he’s going to have to be bigger if he wants to get through the monster that is Jack Della Maddalena.” (10:38)
  • Cormier notes that both Khabib and Islam are publicly aware of the threat Jack poses: size, physicality, improved takedown defense.

• Betting Odds & Early Reactions:

  • Early odds: Islam -265, Jack +225.
  • Cormier surprised at Islam’s favorite status given move up in weight:
    • “That’s a little bigger than I would have expected. I believe people will probably come in on Jack Della because Islam is still the smaller guy going up…the world champion who never looked better than he did in his last fight.” (11:01)

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4. Cormier’s Personal Reflections & the Importance of Fight Locations (11:27–13:34)

• Favorite Venues:

  • Cormier ranks MSG, Miami, Abu Dhabi, and International Fight Week in Vegas as his top four events.
  • “Madison Square Garden, Miami, Abu Dhabi, and International Fight Week in Vegas—four biggest fight cards of the year for me, but the one that always stands out, New York.” (11:54)
  • Emphasizes the buzz around New York events: “Nice and cool, but it’s not cold yet…the temperature’s changing…you got the big fights.” (11:59)

• Gratitude for Fans and New Ventures:

  • Acknowledges fan support, excitement about upcoming creative ventures on YouTube.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Quote | Speaker | |-----------|-------|---------| | 05:09 | “The White House event is actually on. There is no maybe. There is no possibly. July 4th…we got it done today. Those were Dana’s words exactly.” | Daniel Cormier | | 06:50 | “Anyone that loves MMA…wanted to see these two women fight each other for the flyweight championship. That’s happening now in New York City. It’s official.” | Daniel Cormier | | 08:21 | “If you’re Leon Edwards…you say, ‘I don’t want to end up in there with another wrestler…This is the type of fight I need to take.’” | Daniel Cormier | | 10:38 | “He’s bigger. He’s much bigger than he was before, and he’s going to have to be bigger if he wants to get through the monster that is Jack Della Maddalena.” | Daniel Cormier | | 11:01 | “That’s a little bigger than I would have expected. I believe people will probably come in on Jack Della…Islam is still the smaller guy going up to fight a world champion who never looked better…” | Daniel Cormier | | 12:11 | “This time, I finally get to go to the White House…for a kid like me from Lafayette, Louisiana, I never in my life would have thought…I’ve lived the dream…and a lot of that is due to you guys…” | Daniel Cormier |

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• 04:04 – White House UFC event announcement & significance
• 06:27 – Madison Square Garden card news: Weili vs. Shevchenko, Leon Edwards vs. Carlos Protest
• 09:42 – Islam Makhachev vs. Jack Della Maddalena confirmed, analysis, and opening odds
• 11:27 – Cormier on favorite fight destinations and personal stories
• 12:11 – Reflection on his journey and gratitude to fans

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Tone & Style

The episode carries Daniel Cormier’s signature blend of excitement, sincerity, and analysis. The tone is personable, enthusiastic, and appreciative—reflecting both his passion for MMA and deep gratitude for his audience.

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Summary

This episode of DCTV delivers a series of blockbuster MMA announcements: a first-of-its-kind UFC event at the White House, one of the greatest women’s superfights ever set for Madison Square Garden, and the highly anticipated clash of Islam Makhachev vs. Jack Della Maddalena. Cormier provides expert insight, candid opinions on matchups and odds, and heartfelt reflections on his journey. The news underscores the continued growth, spectacle, and unpredictability of the UFC, with fans primed for historic moments ahead.

Transcript

[Buzz Knight]

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[DCTV Host]

This podcast is sponsored by Total Wireless, the official wireless partner of ufc. When you're streaming the fight or sharing those takedown highlights, you need a wireless provider that keeps you close to the action. With Total Wireless, you're covered by the Verizon 5G network, so you don't have to worry about your connection being knocked out at the biggest moments. It's not something you can usually say about a wireless provider, but Total Wireless really does have your back. They're in your corner every second of the day, so you never miss a thing. Visit totalwireless.com or visit your local Total Wireless Store to learn more about how Total Wireless can be in your corner. 5G access requires a 5G capable device and a 5G service area. Additional terms apply. See website for details.

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I'm Jake Hofer and this is back 40, a limited series show on Wire to Hunt, part of Meat Eaters Podcast Network. Each episode I'll be asking eight whitetail hunting pros a focused, thought provoking question about hunting and land management. How do I hunt the best part of the farm with less than ideal access?

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The volume.

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[DCTV Host]

What's up guys and welcome to brand new episode at DCTV brought to you by Total Wireless, the official wireless provider of UFC. They're in your corner with unlimited 5G data that will not slow you down. So Dana White was at the White House yesterday, met with President Trump, met with all the staff to try to make what we all thought was an impossible thing happen. The White House. There was so much hesitancy when that was first announced and honestly, even I on my part was they can't do this. But there were a few cues that told me it was much closer than people really thought. One, when he said it's a year from now, a lot will change. We don't know who's fighting. That told me that he was far deeper in the conversations than we even thought. Then he said something to the effect of in New Orleans, we were a little talking about scheduling or something and found out that he was going to go there or something in a few weeks to go figure out whether or not it was happening. That happened yesterday. White House event is actually on. There is no maybe. There is no possibly July 4th. Hey, I know we can't call it Noche USA, but it's like on Noche. UFC while we celebrate Mexican independence. I hope that this card is built around our country, built around our country and really does pay tribute mostly to what the United States has been, obviously to the world and also to fighting. We have to find what guys are going to be on there. He didn't announce anybody that's going to be fighting, but he did say it is a go White House next year. It works out perfectly, too, because I believe July 4th is actually on a Saturday. He said he'll have more details in the next couple of weeks, but we got it done today. Those were Dana's words exactly. We could speculate all we want about who's going to be on that card. 12 months is a long time to wait. Not 12 anymore, but 10. Long time to wait to see. To see who's going to be fighting, where they're going to be fighting, and how it all works out. But the White House card is on. You know what else is on? We finally got some clarity as to what's happening at one of the biggest shows we have every single year, Madison Square Garden. You started to see the chips fall into place whenever Whaley vacates her belt, right? When Whaley vacates her belt, you start to see the chips fall into place. You start to think, well, maybe there's an opportunity for the super fight that we've all been wanting. Hey, we've all wanted Weili versus Shevchenko for a long time. Anyone that loves mma, anyone that has a desire to see the best fight each other, you wanted to see these two women fight each other for the flyweight championship. That's happening now in New York City. It's official. We have a super fight between Weili and Valentina Shevchenko every single year. These two women could be female fighter of the year. It's a bounce. Since Amanda Nunes left, it's been a bounce between Valentina or Weili, who it would be up to you to decide. But every year, those two women have been at the lead of female mixed martial arts, and they've been the two women that many consider to be the best two women in the world. Now they fight each other in Madison Square Garden. And that's not it, though. New York City keeps getting better. Now, this one, guys, I did not see coming. I did not see Leon Edwards vs Carlos protest. I thought maybe Protest asked for the fight, and I said, man, I don't know that Leon says yes to that, especially after the way the Sean Brady fight went. But I guess if you're Leon Edwards and you're watching MMA and you're watching the division, and you say, I don't want to end up in there with another wrestler and grappler like Brady. This is the type of fight that I need to take. This is probably the second time that there's only been one time where I've been more wrong is what I'm trying to say. And that was when Benoit Sam Denis called out Dustin Poirier. I thought there was no way Dustin Poirier fought him, but he did, and ultimately he beat him. But Leon Edwards steps up and takes the fight against Carlos Protest, which honestly is a better matchup for him than a lot of the fights that you could see inside of the welterweight division, especially guys that carry that wrestling base, which we know Leon doesn't love fighting against because they just try to ground him the whole time because he's such a tremendous striker. But if you saw the Protest Ian Gary fight in your Leon Edwards, maybe that is part of the reason you say, okay, I'm down for it. Also, the main event announced, sorry, Khabib said it months ago Islam was going to fight Jack Dela in November at Madison Square Garden. It's officially happening. Dana White announced that that fight is going down right now. And if you've seen videos and pictures of Islam lately, he's bigger. He's much bigger than he was before, and he's going to have to be bigger if he wants to get through the monster that is Jack Della Maddalena. You know what's the best thing about watching this fight come together? Is recognizing how seriously they know the challenge is ahead of Islam. I can listen to the words that Habib speaks publicly, you can listen to the words that Islam speaks publicly and acknowledge that those guys are well aware of how good Jack Della Maddalena is. He's so tough, he's so big, he's so physical, and now he's got takedown defense to match. I believe that if you would have put this fight together a few years ago, people would have been like, oh, Islam's going to kill Jack Della Maddalena. But now, after watching him fight Bilal Muhammad, after watching how wonderfully he put together a game plan, it's a much more even fight than you would have thought prior. Luis, throw in the opening odds for Islam versus Jack Della real quick, because I really think it's interesting to find out what the world or at least the odds makers think of Islam versus Jack. To start, you can use DraftKings sportsbook or best fight odds, Luis, Whichever one you choose. Wow. He just said Islam's -265, Jack. Plus 225. Honestly, that's a little bigger than I would have expected. That's a little bigger than I would have expected. I believe that people will probably come in on Jack Della Madeleina, because at the end of the day, Islam is still the smaller guy going up to the next weight class to fight against a world champion who never looked better than he did in his last fight. So I would expect that to close a little bit as we get closer to the fight. But clearly, that fight is massive. The fight is happening. Madison Square Garden. I swear to God, guys, there are few fight cards per year that I just enjoy. One, I enjoy Miami. I mean, Miami is fun, man. And they love me in Miami. Now. I enjoy Madison Square Garden. That's the best one. Obviously, International Fight Week is huge in Vegas. It's the perfect time of the year. But I'm telling you, Madison Square Garden, Miami, Abu Dhabi, and International Fight Week in Vegas. Four biggest fight cards of the year for me, but the one that always stands out, New York, right? It's nice and cool, but it's not cold yet. The temperature's changing. You can start to feel people getting ready for Christmas and the holidays, and then you got the big fights. And. And every time we go there, we deliver with a great fight card. So this fight card is going to be sick. Dana White yesterday, and he loves making news, right? Dana White loves to tell you the news that people wait for. Yesterday. We got massive news. New York City is going down, and the White House is done. It's done. It's not a pipe dream anymore. It's not a thought. It's official. We're going to the White House on July 4, 2026, and I'm going. DC gets to go to the White House. I had an opportunity to go to the White House after the Olympics, and I didn't get to go. I got an invite to the White House one other time when I was fighting, I didn't get to go. This time, I finally get to go to the White House. And for a kid like me from Lafayette, Louisiana, I never in my life would have thought I've met presidents, and now I get to go watch fights at the White House. For me, where I'm from, that is not even a dream that we even think possible, but I've lived the dream, and a lot of that is due to you guys and the support that you give me constantly. So I Always. Thank you guys. I'm forever grateful. And I. I never take you guys just watching this for granted, so I know I say it constantly, but it's because I'm so appreciative of how you guys have treated me over the course of this career. Hey, until next time, like subscribe and tell your friends about my YouTube channel. Make sure that you guys are constantly tapping into this and I've got some new things in the pipeline. It's the beauty about YouTube. I get to be creative as I want to, and I think we got some real big stuff coming. Until next time, guys. Peace. This podcast is sponsored by Total Wireless, the official wireless partner of ufc. When you're streaming the fight or sharing those takedown highlights, you need a wireless provider that keeps you close to the action. With Total Wireless, you're covered by the Verizon 5G network, so you don't have to worry about your connection being knocked out at the biggest moments. It's not something you can usually say about a wireless provider, but Total Wireless really does have your back. They're in your corner every second of the day, so you never miss a thing. Visit totalwireless.com or visit your local Total Wireless store to learn more about how Total Wireless can be in your corner. 5G access requires a 5G cable device and a 5G service area. Additional terms apply. See website for details.

[Buzz Knight]

Hi, I'm Buzz Knight, the host of the Taking a Walk podcast, and join me for an upcoming episode with Seth MacFarlane, the creator of Family Guy, talking about his new Frank Silver Sinatra music project.

[Greg Rosenthal]

Anyone who loves music would salivate over something like this. The biggest question for us was what's in these boxes? Really, the most thrilling part was hiring an orchestra and just playing what was in these boxes.

[Buzz Knight]

Listen to Taking a walk on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Jake Hofer]

I'm Jake Hofer and this is back 40, a limited series show on Wire to Hunt, part of Meat Eaters Podcast Network. Each episode I'll be asking eight whitetail hunting pros a focused, thought provoking question about hunting and land management. How do I hunt the best part of the farm with less than ideal access?

[DCTV Host]

Should you? That's what the real question is. Stand without Good access is not a good stand.

[Jake Hofer]

Listen to Back 40 on iHeartRadio app, Apple podcast, or wherever you get your podcast.

[Greg Rosenthal]

Football is back. That's right, the new NFL season is here and you should be listening to NFL Daily as we march along to Start Super Bowl 60 it's in the name NFL Daily so you'll have fresh content in your feed all season long. Join me, Greg Rosenthal in an all star cast of co host for previews and recaps of every single game. NFL Daily will keep you up to date with everything you need to know so you can sound smarter than all your friends. Listen to NFL daily on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[DCTV Host]

This is an iHeart podcast.