This Saturday night, Daniel “DC” Cormier has the chance to become greatest of all time – at least in my opinion. It’s already the opinion of most that he’s one of the greatest, but this weekend, DC has a chance to own the 2 top weight divisions in the UFC. With Cormier’s resume and the possession of the top 2 belts in the modern-day UFC, it’s my opinion that the feat would silence the critics and solidfy DC as arguably the greatest fighter to enter an octagon.
Daniel Cormier is the current UFC Light Heavyweight Champion and is ranked #4 in the UFC’s Pound-For-Pound ratings. The former Northside Viking from Lafayette, Louisiana is a 3-time State Champion in wrestling, an All-State Linebacker and LSU recruit (though, he declined football to pursue wrestling), 2-time Junior College National Champion, an All-American at OSU, and was the senior U.S. National Champion in wrestling every year from 2003-2008. Cormier represented the USA in the Olympics and won 3 gold medals in the Pan American games. After entering MMA and winning the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix Championship as well as the King of the Cage Heavyweight Championship, he entered the UFC and dominated the Light-Heavyweight Division.
As a Light-Heavyweight, Cormier’s power and wrestling expertise were nearly unstoppable until he ran into former Light-Heavyweight Champion, John “Bones” Jones. DC failed twice in beating Jones, however both of those bouts ended up quite tainted as it was later revealed that Jones violated the UFC’s doping policy. Jones was the only fighter to ever defeat DC in MMA. Cormier cleaned house in the Light-Heavyweight Division and became champion in Jones’ absence, including multiple title defenses. Still, critics claim Cormier to be a “paper champ,” a dark shadow that still must linger over Cormier to this day.
However, that all can change this Saturday night…
(Daniel Cormier posts about the opportunity on Facebook.)
The UFC has offered Daniel Cormier a shot at the current UFC Heavyweight Champion, Stipe Miocic. DC has nothing to lose, but winning this Super Fight would finally silence his critics. What else can the man do besides beat every eligible fighter, including the biggest and best there is out there? There would be nothing left to prove.
But, greatest of all time? Absolutely. No one has held the top 2 belts at the same time. This is modern-day MMA. I’ve been watching the sport since the first UFC event in the early 90’s and fighters today are exponentially better than they were back then. They’re bigger, stronger, faster, smarter, and more thoroughly well-rounded. The modern-day athlete is the best athlete. Besides, Stipe Miocic is already considered to be one of the best of all time. A win over him has to make Cormier GOAT.
The question is, can he win? Sure, Cormier dominated a Light-Heavweight Divison, but he’s moving up to much larger and heavier guys. Look no further for the answer than DC’s own MMA record. Cormier spent the majority of his career at Heavyweight and was undefeated beating legendary names like Antonio Silva, Josh Barnett, Frank Mir, Roy Nelson, Dan Henderson, and Anderson Silva (at a lower weight.) Cormier has the power and wrestling expertise to compete and dominate on the heavyweight level, no doubt about it. His biggest flaw, as we’ve seen, came from the speed of John Jones. Jones had electric speed for a Light-Heavyweight with the (artificial/steroids?) strength of a Heavyweight for defending take downs. While Miocic may currently be the best in the game, Cormier doesn’t have to worry about his speed. A slow, powerful wrestling match plays in Cormier’s favor.
( UFC.com )
Is Cormier going to win? I don’t know, but I’ll certainly be tuning in and rooting for him. He’s definitely got a shot and his hometown is proud of him and his accomplishments, win or lose. You have to respect the man’s attempt for greatness. A win, and he’s my GOAT.
UFC 226 is Saturday, July 7th Live on PPV.
-Double J
