​Daniel Cormier not only watched his national team crash out of the FIFA World Cup but also lost a $1,000 bet to Paddy Pimblett. The Ultimate Fighting Championship Hall of Famer had placed the wager on the United States defeating Belgium in the Round of 16, hoping the Americans would advance further in the tournament. However, the co-hosts were eliminated after a 1-4 defeat to Belgium, and Cormier faced Pimblett in Las Vegas to settle the bet ahead of UFC 329.
Cormier admits that the buildup around the U.S. victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32 fueled his overconfidence. He recalled the moment he realized he owed Pimblett money, explaining that he had paid him in cash after the Bosnia and Herzegovina win, saying, “I was filled with unnecessary confidence watching us beat Bosnia and Herzegovina. Sh*t! Bro, I owe you money. I owe you $1,000.”
The two fighters were in Las Vegas for UFC 329, which is slated to take place at the T-Mobile Arena. The event is highlighted by Pimblett’s appearance in the co-main event, where he is set to face French lightweight Benoit Saint-Denis. Pimblett is looking to rebound from the first loss of his UFC career, which came earlier this year at the hands of Justin Gaethje.
Cormier, meanwhile, is returning to the commentary booth for the upcoming numbered UFC event. His outspoken nature has long fueled conversations about American soccer, a sport where the United States has yet to cement a legacy comparable to its status in sports like basketball or American football. In prior exchanges with Pimblett, Cormier has argued that the United States could dominate soccer if it allocated the best American athletes to the sport in the same way it does for other major leagues.
In another dialogue with Pimblett, Cormier even floated the idea that MLS could surpass the English Premier League if the most talented American players committed to soccer at the highest level. Regardless of the disagreements, the moment in Las Vegas added another chapter to the ongoing banter between Cormier and Pimblett, as both athletes prepare for a weekend of high-stakes competition.