UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Daniel Cormier, on the surface, seems like the All-American guy. He's a champion, an Olympian, a winner. He's wholesome, successful, magnetic and well spoken.
He gets booed out of arenas.
Following his second round victory over Anthony "Rumble" Johnson Saturday at UFC 210, the dominant fighter drew comparisons to himself and another polarizing figure -- WWE's Roman Reigns.
"I was watching WWE WrestleMania last weekend and I said 'Wow, it would be great if Roman Reigns pins The Undertaker, clean. It's how the 'Old school' guys do business. Monday night, Roman Reigns walked out to the ring and they booed him for ten minutes, would not allow him to talk, it was the most organic crowd they've had in a really long time. He said 'This is my yard' and he left. It was perfect, because they were playing the game for him. If I'm in the Octagon berating Jimi Manuwa and Jon Jones, it's my Octagon. Sit there with a camera in your face and take it," Cormier said.
Cormier is a noted WWE fan, and spoke with Fightful earlier in the week about the possibility of competing in the promotion in the future.
Cormier has a longtime feud with former Champion Jon Jones, who has had numerous incidents outside of the Octagon that kept him out of the cage. Jones has been met with warmer receptions from crowds than his foe, despite the controversy.
You can see Fightful's full UFC 210 coverage at this link.
