While many MMA stars champion their chosen art as the ultimate test, one legendary voice offers a perspective that might surprise fans, the toughest challenge isn’t found in the cage or ring at all.
Daniel Cormier, two-time Olympic wrestler and former UFC double champion, makes a compelling case that stands apart from conventional wisdom.
“Olympic wrestling is the hardest thing anyone can ever do in the world. It’s hard, man.”
His reasoning cuts straight to the heart of what separates wrestling from other combat disciplines. In mixed martial arts or boxing, MMA stars can sometimes exploit gaps in their opponents’ skill sets. A superior grappler might face a pure striker or vice versa, creating strategic advantages. Wrestling at the Olympic level offers no such opportunities.
“Because in (MMA) , like I said, you can get guys that don’t know how to wrestle. In wrestling, they’ve all been wrestling their whole life. Everybody knows everything.”
This universal baseline of excellence creates a unique proving ground. When Cormier steps onto the mat with his athletes, he’s working with competitors who have dedicated themselves to the sport for years.
“These dudes have been wrestling with me six, seven, eight years. They’re all going to college. The twins are going to Cornell. Travis is going to Oregon State. Daniel’s going to NC State.”
The depth of talent extends beyond just time invested.
“These guys have been wrestling with me for six, seven years now. The two-time Olympian has been their coach. They’re going off to more Olympians.”
Meanwhile, former Luke Rockhold, UFC middleweight champion, offered his own hierarchy of combat sports difficulty. When ranking various disciplines, he placed mixed martial arts at the pinnacle.
“MMA, there’s nothing harder.”
He cited the sport’s demand for mastery across multiple ranges and techniques.
According to Rockhold, kickboxing follows as the second most challenging discipline, requiring defense against strikes from numerous angles while maintaining precise timing and balance. His assessments of other combat forms followed, each evaluated on technical demands and physical requirements.
Yet Cormier’s perspective adds another dimension to this conversation. His athletes embody the modern approach to combat sports preparation.
This cross-training foundation, built on top of wrestling excellence, represents the evolution of combat sports. The advantage isn’t just in adding techniques to a wrestler’s arsenal. It’s that the discipline, mental toughness, and competitive intensity forged through Olympic wrestling creates an unshakeable foundation.
“It’s going to be difficult.”
Cormier acknowledges the challenges his wrestlers would bring to any combat arena. The statement carries weight from someone who has competed at the highest levels of both wrestling and mixed martial arts.
The landscape has shifted dramatically over the years.
“So, yes, days of specialists are over, man. You’ve got to be able to do it all.”
But his central thesis remains, among all the demanding paths an athlete can choose, Olympic wrestling stands alone in its relentless difficulty.
Another voice in this debate belongs to Khabib Nurmagomedov. Khabib is famously outspoken about Olympic Judo being even higher level compared to wrestling.
“If I have chance to take like Judo Olympic gold medal or freestyle? Please, put Judo. Yes brother, I’m from Dagestan. I love freestyle wrestling, but Judo’s different level. ”
“I am from Dagestan. Everybody, love. freestyle wrestling but judo. You have to… Okay. We talk about Dagestan. 3 million, but what about 7 billion.”
“They love Judo. Judo is like different 176 country compete in Olympic Games. Freestyle wrestling? I think 54, 56.”
