Imagine stepping into a wrestling match in Dagestan, only to have it devolve into a heated exchange of punches—all caught on camera. This is exactly what happened to Daniel Cormier, and the story behind it is as intense as it is revealing. In a recent interview, Cormier revisited his controversial 2005 Super Cup match against Shamil Gitinov, a moment that has since become a viral sensation. But here’s where it gets controversial: Cormier didn’t just lose the match; he threw a punch that left everyone questioning his sportsmanship—or so it seemed.
Cormier, a former UFC double champion, wasn’t always on friendly terms with athletes from Dagestan. However, over the years, he’s become a close ally of Dagestani fighters, most notably Khabib Nurmagomedov. Yet, this particular match against Gitinov—who happens to be a relative of Khabib—stands out as a turning point in his relationship with the region. In the clip, Cormier is seen striking Gitinov, who reacts with dramatic protest. But Cormier insists the punch wasn’t unprovoked. According to him, Gitinov had just jammed his thumb into Cormier’s eye, a move that sparked an immediate retaliation.
‘He knew what he did,’ Cormier told Red Corner MMA, reflecting on the incident. ‘I’m wrestling Gitinov, and we’ve wrestled before. I was winning, and then he jammed my eye with his thumb. So, I hit him. And then he acts all shocked, like, ‘What’s wrong with this guy?’ Gitinov is the greatest actor in history. He knew exactly what he did.’ The tension didn’t end there. Even after the match, Cormier refused to shake Gitinov’s hand, still fuming over the eye-poke. ‘I was such a bad sport,’ he admitted with a mix of humor and regret.
And this is the part most people miss: Despite the heated moment, Cormier’s relationship with Dagestan has since flourished. His Dagestani friends, including Khabib, often tease him about the loss to Gitinov, turning a once-tense rivalry into a bond of mutual respect. But the question remains: Was Cormier’s punch justified, or did he cross the line? Is retaliation ever acceptable in sports, even when provoked? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—this is one debate that’s sure to spark differing opinions.
