Daniel Cormier Explains Throwing Punch During Wrestling Match in Dagestan

Daniel Cormier wasn’t always on good terms with athletes from Dagestan.

Cormier recently opened up on his controversial wrestling match in Dagestan against Shamil Gitinov at the 2005 Super Cup. A viral clip shows Cormier blatantly hitting Gitinov, who cries out in protest. Cormier claims his illegal blow was not unwarranted. According to the former UFC double champ, Gitinov had poked him in the eye right before he returned the favor.

‘He Knew What He Did’

“This is me and Gitinov… That was crazy,” Cormier told Red Corner MMA. “The match is over and I’m still pointing at him, because I’m not done fighting with him. I didn’t want to shake hands. Oh my God. I was such a bad sport… I’m wrestling Gitinov and we’ve wrestled a number of times before… We’re going and I’m winning. He jammed my face with his thumb. He jammed me in the eye so I hit him… And then he turns away like, ‘Oh my God, what is wrong with this guy?’ Gitinov is the greatest actor in the world history. He knew what he did… He’s all, ‘Why he hit me?’ and I’m like, ‘Of course I hit you, you just jammed me in the eye.’”

Gitinov went on to win the match, while “DC” also raised his hand as a sign of protest. Cormier has become a close ally of Dagestani UFC fighters over the years, starting with former lightweight champ Khabib Nurmagomedov. Cormier also revealed that his Dagestani friends would often tease him about the loss against Gitinov. 

This article first appeared at Recent News on Sherdog.com

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