Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd
Episode: Daniel Cormier TV - DC TALKS TRASH to Khamzat Chimaev, Max Holloway & Islam Makhachev
Release Date: July 31, 2025

The Herd with Colin Cowherd brings listeners an engaging and unfiltered look into the world of sports, featuring heavyweight personalities and candid discussions. In this episode, Daniel Cormier (DC) dives deep into his ongoing rivalries, particularly with Islam Makhachev, while also touching upon other prominent figures in the MMA landscape. Below is a detailed summary capturing the key points, discussions, insights, and notable quotes from the episode.

1. Reunion and Rivalry Between Daniel Cormier and Islam Makhachev

The episode kicks off with a lively exchange between DC and Islam Makhachev, highlighting their competitive spirit and longstanding rivalry. Their conversation is marked by playful banter and mutual respect, setting the tone for an intense discussion.

• DC expresses frustration and humorously criticizes Islam's grappling techniques:

  • "You're picking me up once you pick me up off the ground. Everybody trying to pick me up off the ground though. Why you doing this?" ([04:15])

• Islam responds with confidence, emphasizing his own skills:

  • "I don't know, bro. They post that shit." ([04:53])

2. The Nate Diaz Controversy

A significant portion of the conversation revolves around Nate Diaz, his fighting style, and DC's opinions on Diaz headlining major UFC events.

• DC shares his perspective on Nate Diaz's fighting capabilities:

  • "Complete opposite. Good talk, DC. First off, I have no problem with Nate Diaz. I have no issue with him. I don't really know Nate. I've always respected Nate for what he did inside the Octagon." ([15:19])

• He delves into the disrespect he feels when comparisons are made, defending his own legacy:

  • "I'm not a bitch. I'm not going to disrespect nobody. And I'm not going to sit up here and just get disrespected by these dudes, because that's not right." ([15:19])

3. Reflections on Jon Jones and Past Altercations

DC reflects on his history with Jon Jones, discussing past altercations and the evolving nature of their relationship post-retirement.

• DC recounts his interactions and the challenges of addressing disrespect:
  • "Jones and I had interactions outside of the Octagon on so many occasions because I was still fighting. But it's very odd to me that in my retirement, I have more beefs and more people coming at me than even when I was inactive." ([15:19])

4. The Future of UFC and Fighter Promotions

The discussion shifts towards the future of UFC events, fighter matchups, and promotions, with DC expressing his opinions on ideal fight cards and potential headliners.

• DC shares his thoughts on ideal fight cards and fighters deserving main-event spots:
  • "I thought maybe I'm wrong. I was pretty respectful. And my assessment of where he is and why, I didn't want that. Honestly, what I said really wasn't an indictment on who he is. I just said there are more fighters deserving of being in the main event." ([15:19])

5. Personal Anecdotes and Light-Hearted Banter

Throughout the episode, DC and Islam engage in light-hearted conversations, sharing personal anecdotes and playful jabs to keep the dialogue engaging.

• DC humorously discusses a basketball game with Leon Edwards:

  • "Last year, I went for 30 in the first year. This year, my numbers were down, but I did have seven or eight assists, and we still won the championship." ([36:44])

• Islam teases DC about his sports skills:

  • "Your game is trash, though. Your basketball game is trash, dog." ([36:52])

6. Training and Techniques

The conversation delves into training regimes, wrestling techniques, and the importance of discipline in MMA.

• Islam emphasizes the effectiveness of wrestling in fights:

  • "I can take him down, hold him." ([30:13])

• DC discusses the significance of high-level training and sparring:

  • "But right now, maybe he's good on wrestling. He can defend, but that game is like weak point wrestling. And I take him down, hold him." ([30:13])

7. Closing Remarks and Future Matchups

As the episode winds down, DC and Islam touch upon potential future matchups and the evolving dynamics of the UFC roster.

• DC speculates on possible fights and expresses his competitive nature:

  • "If you ever find yourself stuck in an octagon with me, I'll take your ass down over and over again." ([05:12])

• Islam counters with confidence in his abilities:

  • "Brother, in your dreams. You can't wrestle me, man." ([05:09])

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• "Don't pick me up." — Daniel Cormier ([04:51])
• "I'm the most painful thing that ever happened to that man's life." — Daniel Cormier ([16:45])
• "I ain't got a problem with you. When I see, hey, I'm gonna tip my hat off to you." — Daniel Cormier ([15:19])
• "We are on much different wavelengths. We are on much different planets." — Daniel Cormier ([15:19])
• "Your game is trash, though. Your basketball game is trash, dog." — Daniel Cormier ([36:52])

Conclusion

This episode of The Herd with Colin Cowherd offers an unfiltered and candid glimpse into the competitive minds of MMA legends Daniel Cormier and Islam Makhachev. Their dynamic conversation, filled with rivalry, respect, and humor, provides fans with deep insights into their personal experiences, training philosophies, and future aspirations within the UFC. Whether you're a long-time follower or new to their stories, this episode delivers an engaging narrative that underscores the intense dedication and spirit of championship fighters.