Latest news with #Cormier
CTV News
12 hours ago
- Sport
- CTV News
Moncton names street to honour baseball hero Rheal Cormier
The City of Moncton is set to celebrate the life and legacy of Rheal Cormier, a hometown baseball hero, this weekend at the Paul 'Tubby' Melanson Tournament by naming a street in his honour. The crack of the bat will carry extra meaning at the tournament on Sunday, as the New Brunswick baseball community remembers Cormier, the former MLB pitcher from Cap-Pele, who passed away in 2021 after a battle with cancer. Randy Steel, a coach with the Capital District Islanders U13 team from Prince Edward Island, said the tournament is special. 'It's an outstanding tournament. It's been running for a lot of years and there's a big ceremony for Rheal Cormier this weekend.' The street naming is a tribute to Cormier's impact on the sport. 'I think the kids look up to see that a player from Atlantic Canada made it to the top league,' Steel said. Cormier spent sixteen seasons in the major leagues, playing for teams like Philadelphia, Cincinnati, St. Louis, Montreal, and Boston. However, his journey to the big leagues began in New Brunswick. Ralph Chambers, founder of the Moncton Mets, a longtime teammate, coach, and friend, recalls Cormier's rise from senior baseball in Moncton in '86 to the majors. 'You knew he was going to be a good one,' Chambers said. 'We had a coach in Rhode Island who was able to help and actually got down to the Rhode Island Community College… and from there he got signed by the St. Louis Cardinals.' Chambers noted that Cormier, who also represented Team Canada, never forgot his roots. 'It was so special in the baseball community, especially in New Brunswick, because here was one of our own making it to the top. And then to stay there and have the remarkable career that he did, it was just fantastic.' Chambers Remembers Red Deer Chambers shared a specific memory of Cormier's talent on display for the Moncton Mets during the senior national tournament in Red Deer, Alberta in 1987: 'The tournament was a little different. 2 or 3 team divisions, [Rheal] pitched one of the games and he didn't have his outing that we all thought he was capable of…. He was disappointed. I was coaching that year and he asked for the ball back that very next game, and he took it and he was incredible…He had the best stuff that we saw, he ended up winning the bronze medal game for us and pitched a complete game…When he was dominating we knew he was at a level that we don't see around here too often.' Moncton Minor Baseball says many of Cormier's family and friends will attend the street sign unveiling. Chambers hopes the street naming will inspire young players. 'Those kids that drive on that street every time they're going to the ballpark, some of them may not know who he is. Once they see and start asking their parents and grandparents, they will certainly know who Rheal was and what he meant to baseball.' For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
USA Today
17-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Daniel Cormier wouldn't be surprised if Derrick Lewis got UFC title shot vs. Tom Aspinall
Daniel Cormier is throwing Derrick Lewis' name in the UFC heavyweight title mix. Cormier doesn't see too many options for UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall's next title defense after Aspinall (15-3 MMA, 8-1 UFC) has already beaten top contenders such as Alexander Volkov, Curtis Blaydes, and Sergei Pavlovich. All signs are pointing to Ciryl Gane as Aspinall's next opponent, but after Lewis (29-12 MMA, 20-10 UFC) knocked out Tallison Teixeira in the UFC on ESPN 70 headliner this past Saturday, Cormier doesn't rule out the possibility of "The Black Beast" jumping the line. "Probably could (get a title shot), man, with the way the heavyweight division is right now," Cormier told MMA Junkie of Lewis. "He might get an opportunity. If all things were considered and you just need somebody to put on a show, a person that you know is going to bring the eyes, it's Derrick Lewis. "He really is going to bring more eyes than most in the division right now. Tom Aspinall needs challengers. Chael Sonnen told me that on our show, 'If Ciryl Gane so much as coughs, Derrick Lewis is going to get a title fight.'" Many, including UFC CEO Dana White, thought Lewis' TKO win over Teixeira was an early stoppage. While Cormier doesn't disagree, he gives referee Jason Herzog the benefit of the doubt. "I think (the stoppage) was bad, but when a guy grabs the fence to pull himself up you've got to do something," Cormier said. "You can't reset the position because he's getting finished. I think he made the right decision. We're pretty hard on these officials a lot of times, but I think under those circumstances, he was left with no option."
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Daniel Cormier confident that Ilia Topuria knockout loss did not deter Max Holloway
Daniel Cormier still sees a path to UFC lightweight gold for Max Holloway. Holloway (26-8 MMA, 22-8 UFC) was knocked out by Ilia Topuria (17-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC) in their featherweight title fight at UFC 308, marking the first time Holloway was stopped by strikes. Now Holloway will look to rebound when he defends his BMF title against retiring Dustin Poirier (30-9 MMA, 22-8 UFC) in a trilogy bout, which headlines Saturday's UFC 318 event (pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+) at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans. "Max is as good as they come, and he's motivated to hold on to that BMF championship," Cormier told MMA Junkie. "You've got to make sure you're locked in if you want to get a victory in those situations. Always. It's even more than Max knows Dustin is done. Dustin is going to walk away from fighting, and Max still has to be here. He wants to get a victory over Dustin as Dustin retires because he's got to deal with everything that MMA entails." Prior to the Topuria loss, Holloway scored an iconic knockout of Justin Gaethje in his return to lightweight at UFC 300. This time, Holloway looked like a much more natural 155-pounder than he did when he lost to Poirier on short notice for the interim title at UFC 236. Holloway is eyeing a rematch with newly crowned UFC lightweight champion Topuria, and Cormier sees that as enough of a motivator for "Blessed" to get back on track. "If he's anything like the last time we saw him at 155, he's one of the best in the world," Cormier said of Holloway. "The first time he fought he was like, 'I have a spare tire, I was gaining weight just to fight.' When we saw him against Justin he had not looked like that same guy. He had looked like a 155 pounder. "Now his diet matches everything he needs in order to become a world champ. Because that's exactly what his eyes are set on. He's not thinking, 'Just go win this fight.' You hear the stuff he's saying about Ilia. That loss did not deter him. He still wants to get back in there with Topuria and try to make that right." Holloway took aim at Topuria's recent run, which saw him knock out Alexander Volkanovski, Holloway, and most recently Charles Oliveira at UFC 317. Cormier explains why he slightly agrees with Holloway downplaying the win streak. "With the history, I think he's closer to getting that fight," Cormier said. "All those things he said (about Topuria's winning streak) were true. Everything he stated was fact. Problem is, Ilia still did that. You've got to give him credit for what he did. "That was amazing to watch him do what he did over the course of those three fights and we have to really tip our cap to the champion. Max Holloway wants that fight again, and we'll have to see how long it is before he gets that opportunity." This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Daniel Cormier: Ilia Topuria knockout loss did not deter Max Holloway
USA Today
16-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Daniel Cormier confident that Ilia Topuria knockout loss did not deter Max Holloway
Daniel Cormier still sees a path to UFC lightweight gold for Max Holloway. Holloway (26-8 MMA, 22-8 UFC) was knocked out by Ilia Topuria (17-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC) in their featherweight title fight at UFC 308, marking the first time Holloway was stopped by strikes. Now Holloway will look to rebound when he defends his BMF title against retiring Dustin Poirier (30-9 MMA, 22-8 UFC) in a trilogy bout, which headlines Saturday's UFC 318 event (pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+) at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans. "Max is as good as they come, and he's motivated to hold on to that BMF championship," Cormier told MMA Junkie. "You've got to make sure you're locked in if you want to get a victory in those situations. Always. It's even more than Max knows Dustin is done. Dustin is going to walk away from fighting, and Max still has to be here. He wants to get a victory over Dustin as Dustin retires because he's got to deal with everything that MMA entails." Prior to the Topuria loss, Holloway scored an iconic knockout of Justin Gaethje in his return to lightweight at UFC 300. This time, Holloway looked like a much more natural 155-pounder than he did when he lost to Poirier on short notice for the interim title at UFC 236. Holloway is eyeing a rematch with newly crowned UFC lightweight champion Topuria, and Cormier sees that as enough of a motivator for "Blessed" to get back on track. "If he's anything like the last time we saw him at 155, he's one of the best in the world," Cormier said of Holloway. "The first time he fought he was like, 'I have a spare tire, I was gaining weight just to fight.' When we saw him against Justin he had not looked like that same guy. He had looked like a 155 pounder. "Now his diet matches everything he needs in order to become a world champ. Because that's exactly what his eyes are set on. He's not thinking, 'Just go win this fight.' You hear the stuff he's saying about Ilia. That loss did not deter him. He still wants to get back in there with Topuria and try to make that right." Holloway took aim at Topuria's recent run, which saw him knock out Alexander Volkanovski, Holloway, and most recently Charles Oliveira at UFC 317. Cormier explains why he slightly agrees with Holloway downplaying the win streak. "With the history, I think he's closer to getting that fight," Cormier said. "All those things he said (about Topuria's winning streak) were true. Everything he stated was fact. Problem is, Ilia still did that. You've got to give him credit for what he did. "That was amazing to watch him do what he did over the course of those three fights and we have to really tip our cap to the champion. Max Holloway wants that fight again, and we'll have to see how long it is before he gets that opportunity."
USA Today
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Daniel Cormier shares ideas for who should wrap BMF belt around UFC 318 winner's waist
Daniel Cormier has two people in mind to put the BMF belt around the UFC 318 winner. Max Holloway (26-8 MMA, 22-8 UFC) defends his BMF title in a trilogy bout against Dustin Poirier (30-9 MMA, 22-8 UFC) on Saturday (pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+) at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans. For the inaugural BMF title fight between Jorge Masvidal and Nate Diaz at UFC 244, it was "The Rock" Dwayne Johnson who wrapped the belt around the victorious Masvidal's waist. For the second BMF title fight between Justin Gaethje and Poirier at UFC 291, it was Masvidal. For the third and most recent one, Mark Coleman wrapped the belt around Holloway's waist after he knocked out Gaethje at UFC 300. This time, Cormier has a specific name for both Poirier and Holloway should they emerge victorious. "If Lil Wayne is walking him out, Lil Wayne should walk out there and put the belt on Dustin Poirier," Cormier said on "Good Guy/Bad Guy" with Chael Sonnen. "I think Lil Wayne should do it." As for Holloway, Cormier went with a more sentimental choice. "It's kind of like personal because I watched the disappointment of the last fight. I'd let his wife do it because they're so close, and she means so much," Cormier continued. "I would let Max's wife do it because I saw how sad they were after the last fight. It's not just Max fighting. It's his entire team, his entire family. I would let his wife do it because of how much it means to the family, or I'd let his son do it. I'd let his wife or his son do it."
