Daniel Cormier in talks with WWE: ‘Something I’ve loved my entire life’

FILE PHOTO__Daniel Cormier of the United States is introduced prior to his fight against Derrick Lewis of the United States in their heavyweight title bout during the UFC 230 on November 3, 2018 in New York City. Steven Ryan/Getty Images/AFP

MANILA, Philippines—Daniel Cormier is looking to make the jump to WWE following his retirement from the UFC.

In an interview with Sports Illustrated, Cormier said he’s been communicating with the wrestling company for a potential role and the two-division UFC champion isn’t looking for immediate in-ring action.

Cormier said he’d like to be in commentary for the first few months of his potential employment before taking a performance role with the company.

“We’ve been talking. We’ve spoken to some of the people over there in very, very early conversations. WWE is a company I’ve watched and loved my entire life,” said Cormier in the report.

“Put me at the commentary table. Let me call the matches for six months and tell you how great these wrestlers are in the ring. I would love that, and I wouldn’t be faking it. WWE is something I’ve loved my entire life.”

Cormier reasoned that taking on a commentary role first would allow him and the fans to be invested with each other instead of jumping into a storyline immediately.

Commentary has been with Cormier for the past several years as he’s a color commentator for the UFC and has a lighthearted podcast with journalist Ariel Helwani.

“What if I’m sitting next to Michael Cole, and Roman [Reigns] comes over and smacks the microphone out of my hand?” said Cormier. “But I’m an announcer. Will I hit him back? Then you’re asking if this will happen or not. That’s what I want, that slow build, the type of story you want to see, and your heart feels like it’s going to explode while you’re waiting for it. Give me the slow build, let it simmer.”

In the event that Cormier does jump to the WWE, he will join a list of UFC stars that transitioned to sports entertainment.

Brock Lesnar, Dan Severn, Ken Shamrock, Cain Velasquez, and Ronda Rousey all had stellar careers in the UFC and also dabbled in the WWE.