Islam Makhachev apparently already knew the handshake when Daniel Cormier went to shake his hand 😂 DC was caught off guard, then decided to teach him a different version. 💀 Via @dc_mma What did you think of their handshake? #ufc #islammakhachev #danielcormier #mma #funnyvideos
A lighthearted moment between two of MMA's most recognizable names is making the rounds. Daniel Cormier reached out to shake Islam Makhachev's hand and found the Dagestani already knew the "hood handshake," catching the former two-division champion off guard.
Cormier, who goes by "DC," did not let the moment pass. He decided to teach Makhachev a different version of the greeting, turning a brief surprise into a comedic exchange. The clip was shared by Cormier's own channel, and it has drawn plenty of reaction from fight fans.
The fighters
Makhachev, 34, is a Russian southpaw who trains with Eagles MMA. He holds a 29-1-0 record and is a champion in the welterweight division. His statistical profile is built on grappling: he averages 3.22 takedowns per 15 minutes and 0.9 submission attempts per 15 minutes. On the feet he lands 2.27 significant strikes per minute at 58 percent accuracy. He stands five-foot-ten with a 70-inch reach.
Cormier, 47, retired with a 22-3-0 record and is an orthodox wrestler by pedigree. He stands five-foot-eleven with a 72-inch reach. During his career he landed 4.25 significant strikes per minute at 52 percent accuracy and averaged 1.83 takedowns per 15 minutes. Since hanging up the gloves, he has become one of the sport's most prominent voices as a commentator and analyst, which regularly puts him in the same room as active stars like Makhachev.
Why it matters
- The clip is a reminder of the easy rapport between Cormier and the current generation of champions.
- Makhachev, often portrayed as stoic and reserved, shows a more relaxed side in the exchange.
- Moments like this keep both men in front of fans between fight weeks, with no competitive stakes attached.
There is no fight, ranking or title implication here. It is a short, good-natured interaction between a champion and a broadcaster who once fought at the highest level.
