TRZ Ad
2025NFLSuper Bowl Week

Daniel Cormier Draws A Parallel With Tom Brady, Discusses OCD-Like Pre-Game Rituals

5

This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.

Tom Brady and Daniel Cormier
Tom Brady and Daniel Cormier (Photo by Imagn)

While sports have become highly technology-driven, with athletes relying on scientific and research-proven methods, some rituals still seem illogical to many. However, for certain athletes, these practices are an essential part of their preparation. Speaking on this, Daniel Cormier and Tom Brady revealed that they had their own similar methods ahead of their biggest showdowns.

When the stakes are Super Bowls or UFC title fights, anything reducing anxiety and increasing mental readiness becomes valuable. Talking about it, the NFL legend said, “I would feel that like in the locker room. I always listen to the same music, and I would always like to try to hit the beats at the right time. It wasn’t like OCDish, but I wanted a similar pattern of warm-up.” 

To which the former UFC champion replied, “I did the same thing, bro. I literally put the short exact same way. From my weight cut to my clothes at the octagon, it always had to be because it’s a process.”

The parallel between the NFL’s greatest quarterback and one of MMA’s best fighters shows how elite athletes rely on routine for mental preparation. These rituals create familiarity and control in high-pressure situations.

Tom Brady Breaks Down What Separates Good From Great

Tom Brady.
Tom Brady (Image Credits: Imagn Images)

As per Brady, committing life to one sport is mandatory if anyone wants true greatness, especially in elite athletic environments. The gap between 80% and 99% isn’t linear; it’s exponential. Going from good to elite requires physical, mental, and emotional growth that transforms athletes’ entire lives and identities.

He said, “If you want to be great at something, you have to commit your life to it – especially in a competitive environment like sports. You can be better than 80% of people, but that doesn’t make you a champion. To become a champion, you need to be better than 99%, and that demands another level of work.”

Brady lived this philosophy. Seven Super Bowl rings didn’t come from being naturally talented and working reasonably hard. They came from obsessive dedication to every detail of preparation, recovery, nutrition, film study, and mental conditioning.

Teams