2-time Olympian, World medalist, and ex-UFC champ Daniel Cormier has been a prime staple in the world of wrestling. Serving as coach at the nationally ranked Calif. team at Gilroy High School, he maintains some moniker of relation to the sport. Cormier is also a play-play commentator in the UFC. Now, he’s shaping up similarly to extend the role to wrestling, with Jordan Burroughs.
Cormier often receives flak for his commentary. UFC Fight Night 235 star Charles Johnson noted tinges of bias for his opponent, in his commentary. After his second-round KO win over ex-military veteran Benoit Saint-Denis, even Dustin Poirier fired back at ‘DC’. He had subsequently commented on him tiring out after Round 1. Cormier recently called quits on NCAA wrestling commentary due to similar backlash.
The full-time commentator and combat sports analyst is, however, staying on as an analyst with Burroughs. They commentated for NCAA Div. I Wrestling Championships, March 21-23, Live from Kansas City. As per ESPN Press room, they facilitate Mike Couzens (play-by-play) for Primetime and Championship Rounds. Check out the flowing dialogue on X, with Cormier deciding to stay on:
While some complain them to be too jovial, some fan accounts have quipped about them being similar to what NBA analysts Charles Barkley and Shaq are in their sphere. While Barkley is the class funnyman, Shaq is the wheezing instigator, often laughing at his jokes and making them funnier. Cormier’s association with Jordan Burroughs is set to have similar tones.
‘DC’ and Jordan Burroughs – Story So Far
NBA analysts Shaq and Charles Barkley are notorieties of unfiltered fun when it comes to play-by-play sports analysis. Their ‘Inside the NBA’ skits, roasting each other on live television; complementing each other at the NBA TV’s pregame, from reminiscing altercations to having insider jokes; they do it all. Now, UFC’s active play-by-play Daniel Cormier is up for similar roles.
He was to attune to a similar comical role hosting the ‘DC&RC’ Show podcast along with the more serious Ryan Clark (of NFL fame). However, in the “All Good Things Must Come to an End: 2/13” segment (ESPN Podcenter), Clark called quits. Cormier now hosts the ‘Good Guy – Bad Guy‘ weekly MMA Show for ESPN, along with Chael Sonnen.
Jordan Burroughs is a 2012 Olympian and 6-time champion. The Nebraska alum holds a similar mettle to two-time Olympian Cormier. ‘DC’ even once lauded his mettle, stating Burroughs would dominate his friend, Islam Makhachev.
Burroughs pulled out of the 2024 Zagreb Open; while prepping hard for the 2024 Olympic Trials qualifiers (74kg), he is taking time out for such duties. The duo commentated on a variety of topics, including some funny inferences.
Daniel Cormier is a good wrestling commentator. Jordan Burroughs bringing a ton to the broadcast as well.
— Luke Thomas🏋️♀️ (@lthomasnews) March 23, 2024Jordan Burroughs sounds great on the air. Very good. But Daniel Cormier talks way too much. And it's all "frat guy" kind of tone, with lots of hyperbole. Makes me miss Tim Johnson and Anthony Robles. #NCAAWrestling
— Jim Cunningham III (@JudoLionBadger) March 24, 2024also an aside: i love how much daniel cormier loves this. him and jordan burroughs are so good on tv together but cormier is such a nerd for all of this in a way that is super endearing. (same when he's on ufc broadcasts, dude just loves this stuff)
— Bill DiFilippo (@billdifilippo) March 23, 2024They also recently mentored juvenile wrestlers at the Pennsylvania Regional Training Center (“All I See Is Gold Academy”, posted by their IG handle.) Kile ‘Barkley and Shaq’, the association might just turn out to be hit, with Cormier as the fun-to-the-bone guy, and Burroughs as the silent instigator.
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