Daniel Cormier Confronts Bias in UFC Commentary: Striking a Balance Between Friendship and Fairness

In the high-stakes world of UFC broadcasting, Daniel Cormier, a former fighter and UFC Hall of Famer, navigates the tricky waters of providing color commentary for matches involving friends and past teammates. Balancing fairness and personal relationships, Cormier addresses the inherent biases that come with commenting on familiar fighters.

Cormier, known for his career at the American Kickboxing Academy, faces the same dilemma as other commentators like Paul Felder, especially when calling fights for athletes from his former training ground. He candidly admits to overcompensating at times to avoid favoritism. His approach is to praise where due, yet remain impartial, a tightrope walk acknowledged by both Cormier and his peers.

Reflecting on his unique position, Cormier emphasizes the importance of drowning out external criticism to maintain professional integrity.

“The select few is always louder than the majority. So you have to forget about what the select few is doing and just do your job,” he asserts.

This philosophy guides Cormier as he continues to evolve in his role as a commentator, striving for the delicate balance between personal connections and the demands of unbiased sports broadcasting.