"Cormier (22-3) had just transitioned from wrestling to MMA and was juggling his training between Oklahoma and California. Cormier began experimenting with a southpaw stance while sparring with Velasquez at the American Kickboxing Academy in 2010. That was the last time "DC" went southpaw, as Velasquez wrecked his nose with a head kick. Cormier turned his back to Velasquez, who decided to show mercy."
"I'm trying to be cute, and I'm fighting southpaw, which, by the way, 2010 was the last time I'd ever in my life stood in a fight with my right leg forward because Cain kicked me in the face and broke my nose. I screamed, 'Oh my God,' put my hands on the ropes, and was like, 'Stop, stop, please, please.' Pain, that was pain."
Daniel Cormier transitioned from wrestling to MMA while splitting training between Oklahoma and California. During sparring at the American Kickboxing Academy in 2010, Cormier experimented with a southpaw stance and took a head kick from Cain Velasquez that broke his nose. The damage and near-finish convinced Cormier to relocate to California and commit fully to training at AKA. The sparring incident ended with Velasquez showing mercy. Cormier and Velasquez later became close friends. Cormier moved to light heavyweight to avoid a heavyweight bout with Velasquez, and both later captured UFC championships.
Read at Sherdog
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