Daniel Cormier named permanent co-host for 'UFC Tonight'
Top ranked UFC contender Daniel Cormier is currently preparing for his January 3 showdown with rival Jon Jones with the light heavyweight belt up for grabs, but the former two-time Olympian is adding a little extra work onto his schedule as he has been made the new permanent co-host for UFC Tonight on FOX Sports 1.
Cormier has been a fixture on FOX television for the past couple of years, appearing on UFC Tonight several times as well as pre and post-fight shows as well as weigh-ins and interviews. The former Strikeforce Grand Prix champion has become one of the go to voices for analysis and commentary in the entire sport and now he'll have a weekly sounding board as the full time co-host of UFC Tonight.
“I love being a part of UFC on FOX family and extending my mixed martial arts career,” Cormier said. “The TV analyst role is exciting, fun and actually improves my fighting skills, because I see the action so differently now. I look forward to working with the team each week on UFC Tonight and vow to bring the light heavyweight title belt with me to the desk in January.
Cormier joins former UFC lightweight and featherweight contender Kenny Florian as host along with Karyn Bryant and Ariel Helwani at the news desk.
"We're thrilled to have Daniel join the UFC Tonight team on a permanent basis," Steve Becker, FOX Sports coordinating producer said. "He's been working with us as an analyst and fill in co-host for almost two years and has proven to be a natural talent in front of the camera providing excellent insight and fantastic personality."
Daniel Cormier on the set of UFC Tonight
Cormier first started appearing on UFC programming on FOX almost immediately after he transferred to the promotion from Strikeforce in 2013, showing a great aptitude to be an on-air personality and analyst for MMA.
He's regularly taken up the slot as guest co-host, but now get the permanent spot next to Florian at the desk.
"I'm very excited that Daniel Cormier will be my partner on UFC Tonight," Florian said. "Daniel is one of the few people who can bring high level analysis, world class fighting skill, experience, humor and personality to the table. Having a friend like Daniel on set makes the show a lot more fun and I look forward to many shows with him."
Since coming to MMA from wrestling where he was one of the top grapplers in the sport, Cormier has gone undefeated with a perfect 15-0 record including four straight wins since joining the UFC last year.
In addition to his new full-time role on UFC Tonight, Cormier was also recently named the captain for the fighters at American Kickboxing Academy in San Jose where he works with several top names in the sport including UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez.
Cormier will begin his new spot as co-host on the next edition of UFC Tonight while he also continues to prepare for his fight against Jones on Jan 3 in Las Vegas.
