Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd

Special Episode: Daniel Cormier TV - Islam Makhachev on Jack Della Maddalena, Double Champ Status, Khabib & AKA Stories

Date: November 14, 2025
Host: Daniel Cormier
Guest: Islam Makhachev

Episode Overview

This lively episode features Daniel Cormier (former UFC double champion and broadcaster) in a candid, humorous, and insightful conversation with current UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, who is preparing to challenge Jack Della Maddalena for the UFC welterweight title. The pair reflect on their days at AKA (American Kickboxing Academy), share stories about Khabib Nurmagomedov, discuss legacy and the pursuit of double-champion status, and break down the technical and mental preparation for such a monumental fight. The chemistry between Cormier and Makhachev shines as they blend banter, toughness, respect, and sharp MMA analysis.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Pre-fight Banter, AKA Memories, and Cormier/Makhachev Dynamic

[02:46–04:51]

• Cormier opens by joking about Makhachev’s promotional tactics, teasing him for using Cormier's name for hype. Makhachev responds with dry humor about media exaggerations and pokes fun at both Cormier’s fitness and ego.
  • “Brother just come from the media. They asked me...if D.C. help, I can gain weight.” – Islam Makhachev [03:13]
• Lighthearted banter about weightlifting, beards, and looks.
• They reminisce about training at AKA, punctuality (or lack thereof), and who really broke the gym’s rules.
  • “When we were all training together, I was always late. 12 o’clock practice, 11:55, I show up.” – Daniel Cormier [06:53]
  • “No, 11. You always late, man. You always not professional. But on your work, be professional.” – Islam Makhachev [07:15]
• Cormier jokes about being ambushed by the Dagestani crew at AKA, with stories about how fierce and loyal those training sessions were.
  • “When we almost smash you in a cage … nobody step to help you.” – Islam Makhachev [08:06]

2. Breaking Down the Matchup: Islam vs. Jack Della Maddalena

[04:53–12:16, 23:23–25:23]

• Makhachev talks about the excitement and gravity of fighting for a second belt, acknowledging this as the biggest fight of his career.
  • “Biggest card of the year, like best arena and biggest fight of my life. Very excited and like really happy.” – Islam Makhachev [05:09]
• On being the betting favorite:
  • Makhachev doesn’t follow odds or betting; he focuses only on competition, not hype or public perception.
  • “Who make the rankings? Who make this … I don’t do bets. I don’t believe and I don’t like check.” – Islam Makhachev [05:44, 05:51]
• They unpack Maddalena’s preparation, mentioning his improved wrestling with help from Craig Jones and Alexander Volkanovski.
  • Makhachev’s take: Bringing in elite coaches for one or two camps doesn’t compensate for years of wrestling training.
  • “When you bring someone for one camp or two camps … it’s not help. It’s not working like this.” – Islam Makhachev [09:22]
• Discussing wrestling/striking balance, Makhachev is confident in his ability to mix it up:
  • “I will strike. I can strike with anyone … I’m not wrestler. I’m the best MMA fighter.” – Islam Makhachev [10:41]
• Both agree on the improbability of anyone stopping Makhachev’s takedowns the entire fight.
  • B: “Would you be surprised if Jack is able to defend every takedown?”
    C: “No, it’s not possible.” [12:07–12:13]
• Makhachev anticipates a competitive fight but is “ready for anything.” He acknowledges Maddalena’s impressive scrambling:
  • “He’s good everywhere. I hope it’s gonna be easy, but ready for anything.” – Islam Makhachev [23:23]

3. Commentary on Legacy, Double-Champ Status, and AKA Achievements

[13:04–15:58, 25:23–26:41]

• Cormier pushes the legacy narrative, asking what it would mean to become a two-division champion.
  • “Now is the legacy. Now the second belt. People fight for the second belt just for the legacy.” – Islam Makhachev [13:04]
• They compare their own histories and where Makhachev currently ranks among the all-time greats from AKA—comparing to Khabib Nurmagomedov, Cormier himself, and Cain Velasquez.
  • “You got to … you pass Luke and Cain. No, Cain still. You’re number four.” – Daniel Cormier [14:13]
  • “I close to beat all your records.” – Islam Makhachev [13:41]
  • Khabib’s undefeated legacy is respected as near untouchable:
    • “Khabib never lost, so I kind of put him number one. Because he’s undefeated. It’s hard not to lose.” – Daniel Cormier [14:38]
• Makhachev is humble about his achievements, reflecting on seeing photos of legends on AKA’s wall and doubting he’d make it—now he believes he can surpass them.
  • “I just came to aka and look at the wall, you, Cain Velasquez, and I thinking, my picture never gonna be this…” – Islam Makhachev [25:23]

4. Inside Jokes, Camaraderie, and Dagestani Brotherhood

[15:05–15:40, 24:13–27:30]

• Jokes about Khabib and Cormier’s physique post-retirement, with playful fat-shaming (always in good spirits):
  • “Khabib is not skinny, bro. Khabib weighs so heavy right now.” – Daniel Cormier [15:11]
  • “No, he’s big, but not fit.” – Islam Makhachev [15:28]
  • “Don’t talk about somebody fat. You cannot. You cannot right now.” – Islam Makhachev [15:40]
• Reminiscences about their early gym days—color-coded shirts, disbelief at the heights they’d reach, and gratitude for the journey:
  • “Could you ever imagine that your career would be this? The number one pound for pound fighter in the world?” – Daniel Cormier [25:23]
  • “You guys finish. I can move you all. … thanks God, I have everything right now.” – Islam Makhachev [25:38, 25:48]
• Proposals for one last “training camp” at AKA, just for camaraderie and weight loss (calling out Khabib, Luke, and others):
  • “Let’s make one camp in AKA, not like crazy hard training, just to lose weight, you know, with me, you, Khabib.” – Islam Makhachev [26:24]
  • “This guy’s a fat shamer, man. Islam Makhachev.” – Daniel Cormier [26:33]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On legacy:

  “Now is the legacy. Now the second belt. People fight for the second belt just for the legacy.” – Islam Makhachev [13:04]

• Teasing Cormier:

  “You always late, man. You always not professional.” – Islam Makhachev [07:15]

• On Khabib’s greatness:

  “Khabib never lost, so I kind of put him number one. Because he’s undefeated.” – Daniel Cormier [14:38]
  “29 fights, no losses. Even sometimes you fall down, like somebody kicked you, you know, you can lose a fight—even still right now, he never lost.” – Islam Makhachev [14:58]

• On the impossibility of stopping his wrestling:

  “Would you be surprised if Jack is able to defend every takedown?”
  “No, it’s not possible.” – Islam Makhachev [12:10–12:13]

• Humorous ego check:

  “I look good now too, though.” – Daniel Cormier [04:25]
  “A little bit.” – Islam Makhachev [04:28]

Important Timestamps

• [02:46] - Show proper starts; Cormier introduces Makhachev
• [03:22]–[04:28] - Banter about media, weight, looks
• [05:09] - Makhachev on significance of welterweight title fight
• [06:45]–[07:15] - Punctuality/playful gym accusations
• [08:06]–[08:41] - Reminiscing about intense AKA training
• [09:22] - Analysis on what it takes to develop good wrestling in MMA
• [10:41] - Makhachev on being comfortable striking
• [12:07–12:13] - Whether anyone can stop all of Makhachev’s takedowns
• [13:04] - Legacy, double-champ ambition
• [14:38]–[15:05] - Ranking greats from AKA
• [23:23]–[23:55] - Gameplan vs. Maddalena; respect for his skills
• [25:23] - Makhachev reflects on career journey and surpassing idols
• [26:24]–[26:33] - One last “fun” camp with the Dagestani crew

Tone & Style

• Light-hearted, teasing, and affectionate banter, balanced by technical and legacy-driven discussion.
• Respectful rivalry and genuine camaraderie between Cormier and Makhachev, with in-jokes and playful “trash talk.”
• Cultural appreciation and humility from both speakers—sharing roots and mutual respect for their journey from prospects to MMA legends.

Summary Takeaways

This episode is a masterclass in both fight analysis and sports storytelling. Cormier and Makhachev celebrate the grind and culture of AKA, demystify super-gym wrestling, and offer a rare glimpse into the minds of champions on the cusp of history. Makhachev’s focus on legacy over money and his humility about his MMA journey stand out, making this conversation as insightful for hardcore fans as it is entertaining for casual listeners.