Daniel Cormier Calls Nate Diaz 'Average' in Fiery Response

The former UFC champion fires back at Diaz's recent podcast comments criticizing Cormier's career and emotional moments.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 10:56pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Former UFC champion Daniel Cormier has issued a scathing response to recent comments made by Nate Diaz on a podcast. Cormier called out Diaz for his high number of career losses, stating that Diaz has been 'average' his entire career despite making a lot of money. Cormier also defended his own emotional moments inside the Octagon, saying Diaz should have cried more if he truly cared about winning and losing.

Why it matters

This back-and-forth between two high-profile UFC fighters highlights the competitive nature and trash-talking culture that often surrounds the sport of MMA. Cormier's strong rebuke of Diaz's comments also speaks to the pride and ego of elite fighters, who are constantly seeking to defend their legacies and accomplishments.

The details

In a video posted to his YouTube channel, Cormier directly addressed Diaz's recent podcast comments, where Diaz mocked Cormier for crying inside the Octagon and questioned whether Cormier was 'bitter' about Diaz making more money. Cormier fired back by comparing their respective records, noting that he had only lost to two elite fighters in Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic, while Diaz had been defeated 13 times by a long list of opponents. Cormier stated bluntly that Diaz 'has always been average' despite his financial success, and said that Diaz should have cried more if he truly cared about winning and losing.

  • Diaz made the comments about Cormier on a podcast earlier this week.
  • Cormier posted his response video on his YouTube channel on Wednesday.

The players

Daniel Cormier

A former UFC heavyweight and light heavyweight champion, known for his wrestling pedigree and emotional moments inside the Octagon.

Nate Diaz

A popular UFC fighter known for his brash personality and high-profile fights against the likes of Conor McGregor and Jorge Masvidal.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Let's compare us. Jon Jones. Stipe Miocic. That's it. Koji Oishi, Hermes Franca, Clay Guida, Joe Stevenson, Gray Maynard, Rory MacDonald, Benson Henderson, Josh Thomson, (Rafael) dos Anjos, Conor McGregor, (Jorge) Masvidal, Leon Edwards. That's 13 times. That's 13 times to 13 people. This is mine. This is who I lost to (Jones and Miocic).”

— Daniel Cormier, Former UFC Champion

“The reality is you're average. You've always been. But you made a lot of money. That's good. But you're average. You can talk all you want now but it will never change the fact that you cannot go back in time, we can't go back in time and make you better than you were.”

— Daniel Cormier, Former UFC Champion

“Nate, maybe you should have cried more and then maybe we would think you care about winning and losing. Maybe if you cried, you wouldn't be OK with losing.”

— Daniel Cormier, Former UFC Champion

What’s next

Nate Diaz is scheduled to return to the UFC later this year, facing Mike Perry in a bout that will be part of a special Netflix event featuring a fight between Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano.

The takeaway

This heated exchange between two of the UFC's biggest personalities highlights the intense rivalries and competitive spirit that often define the world of mixed martial arts. While Cormier's comments may be seen as harsh, they reflect the high standards and pride that elite fighters like himself hold themselves to, even long after their careers have ended.