Back when he was a kid, former UFC double champ, Daniel Cormier, started his wrestling journey with some old mattresses in his backyard. Soon, he found himself trying his hands at the sport when his high school teacher saw him and his friends tussling one day. With his parents not letting him quit anything, the now Hall of Famer fell in love with the sport. That time, he would watch “Kurt Angle win the ’96 gold and I saw John Smith win the ’92 gold when I was in eighth grade.” And when he saw them carry the American flag, he knew his future aim, “I’ve gotta be an Olympic champ, because I want to feel what those guys felt.” For his kids, it came a little easier than that.

Cormier’s son Daniel is also following him on his path, aiming to be a professional fighter when he grows up. But before that, he is also being a support to his father as was evident when Cormier’s friend and former UFC fighter Chael Sonnen asked him if his dad did good after he won UFC 320. Without wasting a beat, young Dan said, “Yes” further shaking his head to deny that there was no better way to win the match. In 2022, during DC’s Hall of Fame ceremony, Dan was standing right beside him, soaking in the moment at T-Mobile Arena that he wants to follow suit. But before purely focusing on a fighting career, the young talent is also testing the waters with other sports. For one, he is into football, and his father is simply proud of it.

Last year, DC made it clear that he cannot be happier with his son’s career trajectory as he thanked his youth football club Morgan Hill Raiders sharing how “It’s been amazing to watch him grow.” This year, the father has shared another milestone for his son, and the entire Team Khabib is celebrating for Dan.

Daniel Cormier took to his Instagram handle to share a series of photographs celebrating the success of his eldest son, Daniel II, who graduated from the 8th grade at Monte Vista Christian School. The 46-year-old captioned the post with a beautiful message, “Oh, how time flies? Little Daniel had his eighth-grade graduation this week. Son, I can’t tell you how proud of you. I am you’re going to be a great young man. Congratulations kid. I love you. Let’s give him a big congrats, guys. @dcwa_dan (and give him a follow).”

Although Sonnen laughed at Cormier for his photography skills for that post, asking him to get a cameraman next time, DC’s love for his son was clear as a day in the post. Along with Daniel’s photos holding the certificate of promotion where he stood next to him in one, the Olympian also shared a photo of the welcoming board congratulating all the graduates. But what really made more than 41k viewers of the post who have already liked it was the final picture. In that, a very young Daniel II stood in the gym showing off his biceps in the stance. Of course, he was too young to have the muscle group all worked out, but it did show his dedication from that age to be like his father. And yes, that is the photo for which Sonnen made fun of DC. But the love and pride? It was evident.

Born in February 2011, Daniel II holds a special place in the heart of his father. Eight years after the tragic death of his first daughter, Kaedyn, Daniel II came into Cormier’s life, marking a new beginning for him. ‘DC’ was so traumatized by Kaedyn’s untimely passing in an accident that he developed a fear of driving fast.

According to Cormier, his car broke down on the very day Daniel II was born. They had to rely on an old, broken-down vehicle, and since it was the rainy season, he drove cautiously, not taking any risks. Then, all of a sudden, Kaedyn’s favorite song — I Wish I Wasn’t — began playing on the radio, reassuring Cormier that everything was going to be okay.

It was a moment he has cherished to this very day. As a father of three, Cormier has been a strong father figure to his children, having learned so much from his step-father Percy. As he admitted to Kelly D Evans of &scape in 2017, “Well, when I lost my father, it was tough, obviously because I was young and also my stepdad, Percy, had been such a strong figure in my life.”

Apart from Daniel II, Cormier has two daughters: Marquita Kalani and Luna Rose. Surprisingly, Daniel II is following in his footsteps. He’s currently training at the renowned American Kickboxing Academy, the same gym that molded legends like ‘DC’ himself, Khabib Nurmagomedov, and Islam Makhachev.

Team Khabib and fans came in unison to celebrate Daniel Cormier’s happiness

Knowing that Dan is also on his path to become a fighter someday, whether DC sends him off to Dagestan or not, Team Khabib was in full celebration mode for the young lad. Former UFC fighter Clay Guida took to his Instagram handle to add some words of love for Cormier, “Congratulations D.” Furthermore, Team Khabib’s head coach and Daniel Cormier’s close friend, Javier Mendez, expressed his love for DC and his son by sharing multiple heart emojis.

Remember when Islam Makhachev advised Daniel Cormier to send his kids to Dagestan for 2-3 years and basically forget about them if they wanted to reach a high level in wrestling? Fans are echoing the same sentiment, with one of them saying, “Now that he’s finished 8th grade… It is time. Send him to Dagestan 2-3 years and forget.”

A social media user took a shot at Jon Jones for dodging a fight with Tom Aspinall, sarcastically suggesting that with how fast Daniel II is rising, it’s highly possible he might face Aspinall before Jones does: “He will fight Tom Aspinall before Jon Jones does.”

Furthermore, another fan offered their congratulations to Daniel II, “What a blessing raising children is. Congrats to little Daniel!” Last but not the least, a fan added, “Bro has the perfect life.” People might believe he’s living a perfect life now, but his career has been anything but easy. When the former champion transitioned to MMA, he was living off just $1,500 a month from sponsorships. His rent alone was $1,350, leaving him with only $150 to survive on for the entire month.

Years have passed since his UFC debut, and he has undoubtedly left a mark on the sport, one that may never be replicated. But it will be interesting to see if Dan can do it. For now, he is will celebrate his graduation from eighth grade and Team Khabib along with him. Send your wishes in the comment section!