UFC Fans Criticize Daniel Cormier's Stance on Usman Nurmagomedov's UFC Shanghai Incident

Former UFC champion Daniel Cormier is facing backlash from fans for his opinion regarding Usman Nurmagomedov's conduct after the UFC Shanghai main event. Nurmagomedov entered the Octagon shortly after his brother, Umar, suffered his first career knockout loss to Song Yadong.

While Umar Nurmagomedov was heavily favored, he was defeated in the second round. In the aftermath, Usman Nurmagomedov quickly entered the cage, and during Song Yadong's post-fight celebration, the two fighters had a close encounter. Some observers debated whether Nurmagomedov had intended to strike Yadong or was merely looking around as Yadong celebrated.

In a YouTube video, Cormier suggested that Nurmagomedov should be shown leniency. He acknowledged that unscheduled entries into the Octagon can lead to chaos, citing past incidents like the one involving Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor. However, Cormier expressed understanding for Usman's reaction, stating, "But I am more inclined to get him a bit of grace because you watch your brother get starched in that way."

Cormier's remarks did not sit well with some members of the mixed martial arts community. X user @pawellwitt criticized the UFC Hall of Famer, suggesting his close ties to the Nurmagomedov camp influenced his judgment. The user commented, "He almost attacked him and Song wasn’t running towards Usman but around the cage celebrating: They took his moment away and Usman should never be in the cage that quick in the first place. DC is obviously biased."

Another user, Ben Davis, deemed Cormier's opinion as poorly considered, tweeting, "DC with another bad take."

User @karimdepresso felt that Nurmagomedov's intrusion detracted from Song Yadong's victory moment, stating, "Nah this ain’t it. Even Khabib was tryna hold him back as it wasn’t the time to get in like that. Lowkey ruined Song’s moment."

This controversy arises at a significant juncture for Usman Nurmagomedov's career. Having recently concluded his PFL contract by defending his lightweight title, he is currently considered one of the sport's most prominent free agents. Speculation about his potential move to the UFC is rife, though his next career step remains to be seen.