The Daniel Cormier Show: DC on WILD Khamzat Chimaev & Sean Strickland BEEF + Chimaev vs. Pereira at 205

Date: February 26, 2026
Host: Daniel Cormier
Podcast: The Herd with Colin Cowherd / The Volume & iHeartPodcasts

Episode Overview

In this episode, Daniel Cormier dives deep into the swirling storylines of the UFC’s middleweight and light heavyweight divisions, centering on Khamzat Chimaev: his potential jump to 205 pounds, his ongoing beef with Sean Strickland, and speculation about a possible future super-fight against Alex Pereira. Cormier uses his expert perspective as a former two-division UFC champion to break down Chimaev’s physical transformation, competitive prospects, and the intrigue surrounding rivalries and title fights.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Khamzat Chimaev’s Rapid Rise in Weight Classes

• Weight Class Conundrum ([03:15])

  • Cormier marvels at how quickly fighters like Chimaev and Pereira are moving up weight classes, stating:

    "These guys just changing weight classes...at an unbelievable rate."

  • He expresses initial skepticism about Chimaev competing at 205, remembering that it’s rare for true light heavyweights to ever have made 170 as adults.

• Physical Transformation ([04:43])

  • Cormier describes seeing new sparring videos:

    “Then I saw a video of him [Chimaev] sparring with Khalil Rountree. His back looked massive. He looks like a 205-pound fighter already.”

  • He also notes Chimaev’s comparable size and power to Luke Rockhold, who is 6’4” and 227 pounds:

    “…Khamzat Chimaev looked just as big, if not bigger…”

• Wrestling Advantage vs. Striker Champions ([06:00])

  • Cormier highlights how Alex Pereira’s lack of a wrestling background could play into Chimaev’s strengths, despite Pereira’s immense size and knockout power:

    “He’s shown takedown defense...But he’s not a guy with a wrestling background. And we have seen what Khamzat have done to guys without wrestling backgrounds.”

Title Picture, Weight Cuts & Next Steps

• 185 Troubles – Can Chimaev Still Make Middleweight? ([06:50])

  • Cormier wonders if Chimaev is now too big to return to 185 cleanly, after seeing him next to bigger fighters:

    “How difficult is it going to be for him to get back down to 185? Because I’m telling you, he looks massive next to Rountree.”

  • He projects Chimaev’s next fight will probably be against Nassourdine Imavov, who has earned his title shot.

• Potential Triple Champions? ([10:55])

  • Cormier muses about the contemporary fighters with the ability to win titles in three divisions:

    “I think Ilia has the ability to fight for three belts. I think Pereira has the ability to fight for three belts, and I think Chimaev has the ability to compete in three weight classes at a very high level.”

The Sean Strickland & Chimaev “Beef”

• Training Room Stories & Rivalry ([07:50])

  • Cormier explains there’s real tension between Strickland and Chimaev, stemming partly from past training together:

    “When you are two athletes of the highest caliber...one of those guys knows or someone knows exactly what happened. But as most say, what happens in the gym stays in the gym.”

  • Cormier recaps Strickland’s comments from his post-fight press scrum:

    “When Sean Strickland was acting about training with Khamzat...He said, ‘I made him quit.’”

• Strickland’s Verbal Volley ([08:24])

  • Reads Strickland’s riff:

    “He [Chimaev] would pick the smallest, lowest level pro and say, ‘He looks like my opponent.’ He would pick the smallest guy. He said, Chimaev is a bully.”

• Public Perception & Matchmaking ([09:00])

  • Cormier contemplates whether Strickland truly believes he can beat Chimaev or is just angling for a money fight:

    “Sounds to me like Strickland feels like he can compete with Chimaev...But...is that one victory enough to say once Imavov’s done, this is the guy?”

  • “People are more open now to the idea that Sean Strickland could be the guy.”

Cormier’s Assessment of Chimaev at 205

• Ready for Light Heavyweight? ([11:30])

  • Cormier’s current view is clear:

    “I think this kid is big enough to compete at 205. I think that he needs, though, to handle all the business that’s left at 185.”

  • Suggests the UFC is entering an era where multi-division champions are possible, thanks to unique talents like Chimaev, Pereira, and Ilia Topuria.

• Final Thoughts: Chimaev’s Golden Opportunity ([12:24])

  • Cormier sees Chimaev as having enormous possibilities ahead:

    “It’s an exciting time, especially if you’re Team Chimaev, because this dude right now, he seems to have the world at his fingertips…”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Khamzat’s Physicality
  • “He looks like a 205-pound fighter already.” (Cormier, [04:43])
• On Pereira’s Size at 205
  • “Alex Pereira...was on the scale at 245 pounds. These guys look like they belong in these weight classes and they’ve not even fought there.” (Cormier, [03:30])
• Strickland on the Gym Dynamic
  • "Every time Chimaev walked in the gym, he would pick the smallest, lowest level pro and say, he looks like my opponent...Chimaev is a bully." (Cormier, quoting Strickland, [08:25])
• Future Outlook
  • “We’re going to start to see guys that could potentially fight for three belts… Ilia, Pereira, Chimaev.” (Cormier, [11:00])

Important Segment Timestamps

• Opening & Theme Introduction: [02:12–03:10]
• Chimaev’s Weight Class Progression & Physique: [03:15–06:45]
• Analysis of Alex Pereira’s Strength and Limitations: [06:00–06:50]
• Speculation: Can Chimaev Still Make 185? [06:45–07:25]
• The Strickland-Chimaev Beef Recap: [07:50–09:29]
• Discussion of Strickland’s Contender Status: [09:29–10:40]
• Triple-Champ Possibilities and 205 Assessment: [10:55–12:24]

Summary

Daniel Cormier delivers an incisive, entertaining analysis focusing on the fast-evolving landscape of the UFC’s middleweight and light heavyweight divisions. He contextualizes the Khamzat Chimaev phenomenon—his explosive growth in size and skill, open feuds with peers like Sean Strickland, and the buzz about taking on monsters like Alex Pereira at 205. Cormier’s candid, passionate tone invites listeners to speculate alongside him, making the episode feel like an insider’s roundtable on the sport’s biggest “what-ifs.”

Final Word:
"It’s an exciting time, especially if you’re Team Chimaev, because this dude right now, he seems to have the world at his fingertips and it doesn’t seem like he’s a guy that’s going to take that for granted." (Cormier, [12:24])