Daniel Cormier: Record, Retirement, Daughter’s Tragic Death

Few fighters arrive carrying the weight of a two-division championship and a personal tragedy that could have broken anyone, but Daniel Cormier did both—and then some. This article traces his record, his retirement, the devastating loss of his daughter, and the legacy that landed him in the UFC Hall of Fame.

Record: 22-3-0 (1 NC) · Height: 5’11” · Weight: 235 lbs · Reach: 72 inches · Stance: Orthodox · Championship Titles: UFC Heavyweight and Light Heavyweight

Ten key stats, one picture: Cormier’s career is defined by elite achievement and deep personal loss.

How many times did Daniel Cormier lose?

Daniel Cormier’s career record

• Official UFC record: 22 wins, 3 losses, 1 no contest (UFC Stats)
• Two of those losses came against Jon Jones; the third against Stipe Miocic

Three losses, but only two stand on the record as defeats. The first Jones fight at UFC 182 ended with a unanimous decision loss for Cormier (UFC Stats). The second meeting at UFC 214 was originally a knockout loss, later overturned to a no contest after Jones tested positive for a banned substance (UFC Stats).

Losses to Jon Jones

• First fight: UFC 182 – Jones wins by unanimous decision
• Second fight: UFC 214 – originally Jones KO win, overturned to NC
• Rivalry described as one of the most intense in UFC history (DAZN)

The two fights between Cormier and Jones show a pattern of controversy.

Loss to Stipe Miocic

• UFC 252 (August 15, 2020): Miocic won by unanimous decision
• This was Cormier’s final fight

The implication: Cormier’s three losses are to all-time greats, but the asterisk on the second Jones fight keeps the debate alive.

Why did Daniel Cormier retire from the UFC?

Reasons behind retirement

Cormier had long said he would not fight past his 40th birthday, which fell on March 20, 2019 (The Mac Life). He extended that timeline to chase the heavyweight trilogy with Miocic.

Final fight against Stipe Miocic

• UFC 252, August 15, 2020 – loss by unanimous decision
• Immediately after the fight, Cormier announced retirement (Wikipedia)

Transition to broadcasting

Within weeks, Cormier joined the UFC broadcast team as a color commentator. He has since become a regular voice on major pay-per-view events.

What this means: Cormier left on his own terms, stepping away at 41 while still near the top of the sport.

What happened to Daniel Cormier’s daughter?

The tragic accident

In 2003, Cormier’s three-year-old daughter Kaedyn died in a car accident (EssentiallySports). The tragedy occurred before Cormier’s MMA career began.

Impact on Cormier’s life

Cormier has said the loss “is something that I carry with me every day” (EssentiallySports). He channeled the grief into his wrestling and later his fighting career, using it as a driving force (Andscape).

Public response

Fans and fellow fighters have often expressed sympathy. Cormier’s openness about the loss has made him a relatable figure beyond the octagon.

The pattern: Cormier turned personal tragedy into professional fuel, a theme that runs through his entire story.

How good was Daniel Cormier?

Olympic wrestling background

• Competed in freestyle wrestling at the 2004 and 2008 Olympics
• Won bronze at the 2007 World Championships

UFC accomplishments

• Two-division champion: light heavyweight (2015) and heavyweight (2018)
• Defended both titles successfully
• UFC Hall of Fame inductee in 2022 (Wikipedia)

Legacy and ranking

Consistently ranked among the top pound-for-pound fighters during his prime. Dana White called him “one of the greatest of all time” (EssentiallySports).

The catch: The two losses to Jones (even with the NC) prevent him from being undisputed No. 1, but his dual-title reign and Olympic background place him in a rare tier.

How many children does Daniel Cormier have?

Family life

Cormier and his wife Salina have two children: a son, Daniel Cormier Jr., and a daughter, Kaedyn, who passed away in 2003.

Children’s names

• Daniel Cormier Jr. (son)
• Kaedyn Imri Cormier (daughter, deceased)

Role as father

Cormier frequently speaks about his children in interviews. His son has been seen at fight events, and Cormier has said fatherhood changed his perspective on life and fighting.

Why this matters: Cormier’s identity as a father is central to his public persona, influencing both his motivation and his retirement decision.

For the UFC, the retirement of Daniel Cormier closes a chapter defined by technical excellence and emotional depth. The organization now leans on him as a broadcaster, but his competitive legacy remains a benchmark for future generations.