Mixed martial arts icon Daniel Cormier found himself in the middle of a firestorm this week—but not because of anything that happened inside the Octagon. The former two-division UFC champion is pushing back against accusations that he posted fake direct messages allegedly from Eric Trump, the son of President Donald Trump, suggesting that fights at last weekend's UFC Freedom 250 event might be rigged.
The Alleged Exchange
It all started when Cormier shared screenshots on X (formerly Twitter) of what appeared to be a private conversation with Eric Trump. In one of the messages, Trump reportedly asked, “Are any of the fights tomorrow rigged? I’ve been eyeing the Lopes fight and I think an upset wouldn’t be too unrealistic.” Cormier’s original post, which has since been deleted, accused Trump of “insider behavior” and declared, “I refuse to stay silent. The UFC is a sport that I am deeply passionate about. I will not tolerate this type of insider behavior. Shame on anyone trying to ruin this beautiful event.”
Hacked or Hoaxed?
Now, Cormier is singing a different tune. Speaking to political correspondent Nicholas Ballasy, the former heavyweight champ claimed his account was compromised. “They’re not real, I can’t believe you guys believed that,” Cormier said. “I got hacked or something, who believes stuff like this?”
Eric Trump, however, isn’t buying it. In a statement posted to X, he wrote, “We are aware of the fake, AI generated screenshots being circulated online. I have never spoken to Daniel. He has since deleted his post, which confirms it was clearly fabricated.”
The conflicting stories have left fans and pundits scratching their heads. While it's possible Cormier's account was indeed hacked, the timing and content of the messages have fueled speculation. This isn't the first time Eric Trump has been accused of meddling in UFC affairs, adding another layer of intrigue to an already bizarre saga.
What's Next?
As of now, neither the UFC nor the White House has commented on the controversy. Cormier, who was not part of the Freedom 250 card but was present at the White House event, has not provided any evidence to support his hacking claim. Meanwhile, the MMA community is divided—some believe Cormier’s initial outrage was genuine, while others think the whole episode was a publicity stunt gone wrong.
For his part, Cormier seems eager to move on. But the damage may already be done. The episode echoes the recent feud between Stephen A. Smith and Trump, where accusations flew fast and loose. Whether this is a case of a hacked account, a hoax, or something else entirely, one thing is certain: the line between reality and digital fiction has never been blurrier.
Stay tuned as this story develops. For now, Cormier and Trump remain at odds, and the truth remains elusive.
