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Daniel Cormier Calls Out Tom Aspinall for Leaking Private Conversation

Originally posted on Dice City Sports | By Robert LaMar | Last updated Oct 28, 2025 3:08 AM ET

Abu Dhabi — UFC Hall of Famer and analyst Daniel Cormier says heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall crossed the line by sharing footage of what he thought was a private exchange between them during UFC 321 fight week.

The clip captured as Cormier leaned in to whisper to Aspinall during media day quickly went viral after it appeared in Aspinall’s pre-fight vlog. In it, Cormier can be heard critiquing Jailton Almeida, suggesting the Brazilian “can’t fight” and emphasizing Aspinall’s potential to dominate the division.

“That should’ve stayed between us”

On his Good Guy/Bad Guy podcast with Chael Sonnen, Cormier said the moment was never meant for public consumption.

“When you lean into someone and you’re talking quietly. That’s a private conversation that should stay between you and the athlete,” Cormier said. “I thought it was Embedded, and I know that Embedded would never do something like that.”

Cormier clarified that his intention was to motivate Aspinall, not to disrespect Almeida.

“I was literally trying to tell him, ‘You could possibly be on the verge of something tremendously special right now.’ … I could’ve done a better job of saying that to Tom.”

Fallout and reflection

Daniel Cormier said he’s upset with Tom Aspinall for releasing their private conversation

“When you lean into someone, that’s a private conversation. That should stay between us. I thought it was UFC embedded and embedded would never do something like that.” pic.twitter.com/L0GCd5nhZP

— Happy Punch (@HappyPunch) October 27, 2025

Cormier admitted fault for his phrasing but said Aspinall’s team should have respected the privacy of the discussion. While he hasn’t confirmed if he’s spoken directly to the champion, the former two-division titleholder says he felt bad when the video spread across social media.

“Regardless of whether you’re saying it in jest or you’re being honest, Jailton Almeida deserves respect, and I do respect him,” Cormier said. “I felt bad because he’s been so nice to me since he got into the UFC. His grappling is elite, but there’s no damage.”

Context and consequences

Ironically, Almeida’s split decision loss to Alexander Volkov later that night seemed to validate Cormier’s initial critique: despite more than 11 minutes of control time, Almeida landed just nine significant strikes over three rounds. Meanwhile, Aspinall’s title defense against Ciryl Gane ended in a no-contest due to an accidental eye poke.

Still, the controversy added another layer to a turbulent weekend for the heavyweight division and a reminder that even off-mic moments can echo loudly in the fight world.

This article first appeared on Dice City Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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