Some nice wrestling and striking on display, especially for a big guy. He reminded me of Nelson and even Fedor as he transitioned from striking to grappling and back again.
He looks promising but he needs to get to a lighter weight. Unless he is another Roy Nelson type fighter.
Cormier wrestled at between 90 and 96kg, so I'd assume light heavyweight would be doable. He's been performing well at heavyweight though.
He has said he will only fight at 205 if Coker wants him to and asks him to. Otherwise, he doesn't want to put in that work. I think there is a reason as to why he is so fat. I'm not sure if it is purely diet related.
http://steverattlesnake.cliquezone.com/2011/01/strikeforce-challengers-13-videos/#more-4484 [ame]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_Cormier[/ame]
He suffered from klidney failiure in the past didnt he? I'd guess the treatments for that maybe linked to him putting on weight. Either way he's looked pretty good so far but I think he or Coker made the right move not stepping up for the HW GP. To me he looks like someone with natural striking and submission ability but hasnt really refined either to a high level yet, he's only been training what a couple of years?
Commentry said he only made the transition from wrestling to MMA 18 months ago but yet I was impressed with some of his kicks. The SF GP is much too seasoned for him. It could be a career ending competition cos those guys could destroy people physically and mentally.
I seen the fight he was pretty impressive had good technique, speed, balance, cardio, wrestling etc very promising fighter.
He was obviously training for awhile before his debut but I don't think for that long, 6 months or so rather than Lesnar's 18 months. There are some guys in the GP who's form is questionable that Cormier might be a threat to but as you say pretty much everyone is capable of handing out a nasty beating, getting layed out like Mizuno is not what he needs right now. A guy like Brock or Coleman who's only ever going to be a "hulk smash" wrestler is going to peak pretty quickly, when someone looks to have the potential to really devolp their submission and striking game they shouldnt be rushed to step up.
I was definitely most impressed with this guy out of the bunch on the challengers card. he definitely seems like a natural and athletic considering his unimpressive physique and size.
Guys like Brock have that one dimension that is very imposing but in MMA someone will come along to challenge that dimension and you must be prepared. Courmier will always have his core style, unless like Hendo he finds he can finish fights. Courmier is already coaching other MMA who are of a much high stature than himself. People who train with him must hold his wrestling in VERY high regard - Dave Camarillo, Cain Velasquez, Josh Koscheck etc