Podcast Summary: The Daniel Cormier Show – DC REACTS to Justin Gaethje BEATING Paddy Pimblett, Sean O'Malley defeats Song Yadong

Podcast: The Herd with Colin Cowherd (iHeartPodcasts/The Volume)
Date: January 25, 2026
Host: Daniel Cormier (Guest host for this UFC 324 recap)

Overview

This episode features Daniel Cormier’s immediate, post-event reaction to UFC 324, focusing on Justin Gaethje’s upset victory over Paddy Pimblett to become interim lightweight champion and Sean O’Malley’s win against Song Yadong. Cormier breaks down each major fight, analyzes performances, addresses fighter legacies, and discusses the broader impact of the night on the UFC and its fans. The episode is authoritative, enthusiastic, and rich with inside perspective, especially for MMA fans craving expert breakdowns.

Main Themes & Key Discussion Points

Justin Gaethje Defeats Paddy Pimblett (Main Event)

• Gaethje’s Underdog Status & Performance
  • DC highlights how oddsmakers and most fans overlooked Gaethje leading up to the fight, positioning Paddy as the favorite.
  • “Everybody had him. Everybody had him. A massive underdog. But Justin Gaethje told anyone that would listen he was gonna get the job done. That’s exactly what he did tonight, becoming the interim champion for a second time.” (05:10)
• Maturity & Gratitude
  • Gaethje, who famously threw down the interim belt after his previous win, showed more humility and gratitude this time:
  • “He thanked his parents, he thanked his coaches, and that was a relief about Justin Gaethje that is not very present with JG.” (06:00)
• Fight Breakdown by Round
  • First round: Pimblett started strong but Gaethje dropped him.
  • Second round: Gaethje controlled and dominated, dropping Pimblett again.
  • Third round: Pimblett rallied and arguably won the round as Gaethje appeared to slow down.
  • Fourth round: Gaethje came back with relentless forward pressure, retaking control.
• Endurance & Championship Mentality
  • Cormier emphasizes the willpower needed for championship rounds:
  • “All the champions are pressure fighters. My intention is to pressure Paddy Pimblett...I thought when he was saying that, it was based on the fact that he didn’t think Paddy could go into those championship rounds and have that thing that makes champions special.” (08:10)
• Pimblett’s Rise Despite Defeat
  • DC acknowledges that, although Pimblett lost, this fight significantly raises his stock:
  • “Very rarely does a guy elevate in the loss as much as I believe Paddy Pimblett will elevate in this loss tonight...Tonight he proved that all that ‘he hasn't fought anybody in the top five yet’...I don't ever want to hear that again.” (09:42)
• Encouragement for Paddy
  • “I know Paddy was very disappointed, but he needs to keep his head up because I thought tonight he fought well, he represented himself, he represented his family, represented Liverpool very, very well inside the Octagon tonight. So keep your head up, Paddy Pimblett.” (10:20)
• Impact on UFC’s Broader Popularity
  • Cormier notes the event’s crossover appeal:
  • “We’re on Paramount. This is a new network. They’re going to be new fans. We need to introduce them to what the UFC is...there is not a sport in the world that can compare to the UFC.” (08:50)

Co-Main & Notable Fights

Sean O’Malley vs. Song Yadong

• Winner: Sean O’Malley (by decision)
• DC’s Impression:
  • “O’Malley was more mature all week...his post fight speech showed the maturity. He said it felt so good to win, right? So good to win. Wins are hard to come by in this thing...” (11:08)
  • Cormier questions whether the performance was enough for a title shot, noting the lack of a finish.
  • “He knew that he needed to have a beautiful performance. I thought a beautiful performance meant something like a finish, but he didn’t get that. But he did get a victory.” (11:39)

Derrick Lewis vs. Waldo Cortez Acosta

• Result: Derrick Lewis finished by Cortez Acosta
• Reflection:
  • “Is Derrick Lewis still that guy? I think tonight we learned the answer to that—that he isn’t. Cortez Acosta is very, very good, but the way the fight ended was very tricky to me.” (12:06)

Natalia Silva vs. Rose Namajunas

• Silva won decisively.

John Silva vs. Arnold Allen

• Fight described as a “sick fight” with both fighters praised for toughness and performance.

Umar Nurmagomedov vs. Deiveson Figueiredo

• Umar wins, but DC believes he hasn’t quite earned a bantamweight title shot yet:
  • “That performance isn’t enough to warrant him getting a title shot.” (13:03)

Other Results Briefly Discussed

• Nikita Krylov: Last second TKO win.
• Alex Perez: Returned to score a much-needed finish.
• Charles Johnson: Disputed referee stoppage, but DC sided with the ref.
• Josh Hoken: Noted for his brash personality and dominant win over Denzel Freeman.
• Ty Miller: Early stoppage victory over Adam Fugate.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Gaethje’s Attitude After Win:

  • “He walked over after the fight and said, ‘I absolutely won. Right?’ I said, you are a sick son of a bitch. Because he went ahead like the old Justin Gaethje.” (07:53)

• On What Makes a Great Main Event:

  • “On the special nights, there is not a sport in the world that can compare to the UFC. And tonight we have one of those special nights.” (09:11)

• On Paddy Pimblett’s Stock Rising in Defeat:

  • “Very rarely does a guy elevate in the loss as much as I believe Paddy Pimblett will elevate in this loss tonight.” (09:42)

• On Bonuses and Fighter Pay:

  • “Every one of these fighters that got a finish gets a $25,000 bonus. For a guy like Ty Miller who gets 12 and 12, 14 and 14, that's almost double his salary.” (13:50)
  • “Now it’s on the fighters to go and cash in and make those opportunities matter by getting finishes.” (14:07)

• On UFC’s Crossover Moment with Paramount:

  • “Paramount wanted the UFC. They got the UFC at its best tonight. And those two guys that fought in the main event are going to be a reason that so many new fans are going to start tapping into the UFC.” (14:22)

Timestamps of Key Segments

• Justin Gaethje’s Underdog Status & Victory: 05:10–07:00
• Fight Breakdown & Psychology of Champions: 07:00–09:11
• Paddy Pimblett’s Stock After Loss: 09:11–10:37
• Sean O’Malley’s Win and Title Picture: 11:02–11:55
• Derrick Lewis & Heavyweight Implications: 12:06–12:25
• Bantamweight Title Scenario: 13:03–13:17
• Bonuses and Financial Impact for Fighters: 13:50–14:07
• Crossover to Paramount & UFC’s Future: 14:07–14:22

Closing Tone and Takeaway

Cormier closes on an upbeat, hopeful note, encouraging fighters to seize new financial opportunities and new fans to discover the sport’s magic. He promises more backstage insights—direct from the Octagon.

“Stick around. I’m gonna go chase down the coaches to talk to them about what they thought about their prize people's performances...There is no reaction like a DC reaction from right outside of the Octagon. It really is the best seat in the house.” (14:27)

For newcomers and MMA diehards alike, this episode delivers a passionate, inside-the-cage view of a pivotal night for the UFC.