Daniel Cormier surprises by revealing his rejection of Jiu-Jitsu techniques: 'Don't teach me'

Cormier analyzes the fight in the UFC. Photo: Reproduction/Facebook/UFC

One of the biggest names in MMA history and a champion in two different weight classes, Daniel Cormier became known for his physical dominance and relentless grappling game. However, the former Olympic wrestler decided to pursue his path in the octagon without knowing some of the key techniques of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

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In an interview with the 'NFL on ABC' program this Thursday (12), DC revealed that he did not want to learn joint locks due to the anxiety of injuring opponents and training partners.

“When I learned those moves and the coach told me, ‘If he doesn’t tap, you have to break the bone,’ I replied, ‘Then don’t teach me those moves. I don’t even want to know,’ because I wouldn’t be able to do them. I never used a kimura, I never used an armbar, because I never wanted to. Even now, at the commentary table, when I see a very tight submission, I lower my head and say to Rogan and Anik, ‘I’m going to do it, you let me know if it happens.’ I’m very sensitive to these things,” confessed the UFC Hall of Famer.

“I told my coach, don't teach me those moves” Daniel Cormier reveals why he stayed away from bone-breaking submissions.😲👀

“When I learned these moves and the coach told me, 'If he doesn't tap, you've got to do it [break it],' I said, 'Well, don't teach me those moves. I don't… pic.twitter.com/nQInLpt5aL

— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) February 12, 2026

Cormier has important wins by submission.

Cormier submits Lewis. Photo: Reproduction / Facebook ufc

Interestingly, some of Cormier's biggest wins came by submission. Naturally, none of them involved submission holds. He won the light heavyweight title (up to 93 kg) after securing a rear-naked choke against Anthony Johnson and defended his heavyweight title (up to 120,2 kg) against Derrick Lewis using the same technique.

Furthermore, he was never submitted throughout his professional career, even though he shared the octagon with renowned ground fighting specialists like Frank Mir and Jon Jones.

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