Outside Source
Cormier was a part of the U.S. Olympic wrestling team for the 2004 Olympics, where Saitiev won his second Olympic gold. “DC” had the fortune of watching Saitiev compete live. Cormier recalls being awed by how effortless Saitiev made it look while beating world champions. The UFC Hall of Famer notes that it is an incredible feat to be a world champion in a sport like wrestling for so long. Cormier praised wrestling legends Jordan Burroughs and Abdulrashid Sadullaev, also considered to be among the best wrestlers of all time.
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Effortless Excellence
“He was revolutionary in terms of wrestling,” Cormier told Red Corner MMA. “There was nobody like this dude. His slickness, his calmness, it almost looked like he wasn’t trying. He was almost like ‘Gumby,’ like limp… Watching him taking all these world championships, all these gold medals is unbelievable. When guys get it like that Jordan Burroughs, Saitiev, Sadullaev… to be able to be the best in the world for that long is nuts. You wanna be the best in the world once, specially in wrestling. Because it’s so difficult. I don’t think people understand how difficult wrestling is. To win one world title, much less six, seven, eight, like these dudes are winning.”
Saitiev won three Olympic gold medals and six world championships in his career spanning over 13 years. Saitiev died at age 49 earlier this year. Meanwhile, Burroughs won one Olympic gold and six world championships. Sadullaev is still active and has already won two Olympic golds and six world championships.
Daniel Cormier remembers wrestling legend Buvaisar Saitiev 🕊️🤼♂️
“There was nobody like him. He was revolutionary in terms of wrestling. There was nobody like this dude. His slickness, his calmness, it almost looked like he wasn’t even trying.” pic.twitter.com/BP8WXut8KE
— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) November 30, 2025
This article first appeared at Recent News on Sherdog.com
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