Daniel Cormier has pushed back against criticism of Conor McGregor for throwing a dangerous kick at the start of a fight, arguing that unorthodox openers have worked for fighters in the past. Cormier cited Fabricio Werdum charging across the Octagon to land a superkick as a historical example of an unexpected tactic paying off.
Daniel Cormier has stepped up to defend Conor McGregor following criticism of an unconventional kick McGregor threw at the opening of a recent fight, arguing that surprise tactics at the start of a bout are nothing new in mixed martial arts.
The former two-division UFC champion, now 47 years old with a professional record of 22-3-0, made his case by pointing to a memorable moment from Fabricio Werdum's career — specifically, Werdum charging across the Octagon to land a superkick as an example of an unorthodox opener that paid dividends. Cormier, who averaged 4.25 significant strikes per minute across his career and shared a 52 percent striking accuracy, knows a thing or two about blending aggression with calculated risk.
Werdum, the Brazilian heavyweight known as "Vai Cavalo," carries a record of 24-9-1 and is now 48 years old. Standing six-foot-four with a 77-inch reach, he was always a physical handful for opponents, and the superkick Cormier referenced illustrated how an unexpected movement at the opening bell can catch even prepared fighters off guard.
McGregor, the 37-year-old Irishman fighting out of SBG Ireland, holds a record of 22-7-0 and remains one of the most analytically watched fighters on the roster. The southpaw stands five-foot-nine with a 74-inch reach and has averaged a notable 5.27 significant strikes per minute throughout his career — a number that reflects the volume and intent he brings to exchanges.
Why it matters
- Cormier's defense adds a high-profile voice to what had become pointed public criticism of McGregor's tactics
- The Werdum comparison grounds the argument in precedent, framing unorthodox openers as legitimate strategy rather than recklessness
- McGregor's striking output makes aggressive, unpredictable fight-opening moments a plausible extension of his overall style
