The idea of greatness is a subjective notion in modern sports. Everyone has their own opinion on who or what is great or isn’t great. So how do we, as sports fans, know when we are witnessing greatness? The answer to that question is simple: We just know. This is why figuring out the legacy of Daniel Cormier within UFC is a simple task.
When Cormier steps into the octagon we know we are about to witness greatness. That is a fact. The former olympian has built a legacy within the UFC never to be forgotten by fight fans, but maybe overlooked when compared to other all time greats. D.C. fights out of one of the best MMA camps in the world in the American Kickboxing Academy (AKA) in San Jose, Calif.
The phenom has a freestyle wrestling background, but has toned his standup ability through his brute strength and improved combinations. Sporting a 20-1-0 (1 NC) record, Cormier has won a plethora of difficult fights against all time greats at heavyweight and light heavyweight. His lone loss came against Jon Jones, a man recognized by many as the most talented fighter to ever enter the octagon.
Cormier has beaten some of the most highly recognized names during his illustrious career, ranging from Frank Mir and Antonio Silva at heavyweight to Alexander Gustafsson and Anthony Johnson at light heavyweight. D.C. has won professional titles in both divisions with two different organizations.
At UFC 226, Cormier will have the opportunity to win the UFC heavyweight championship, which would make him one of the few fighters to hold multiple championship belts at once in two different weight classes. With all his accomplishments, skills, and records out in the open, should fight fans hesitate to rank him amongst the all time greats or jump in with both feet with the guy?
I have to believe that every fight fan needs to jump in with both feet with D.C. and give him the credit he deserves. Many fans want to tout guys like Anderson Silva or Fedor Emelianenko as the greatest among their generations but their careers have far more blemishes than Cormier’s does.
It’s hard to even get into the consecutive embarrassments Anderson Silva suffered at the hands of Chris Weidman (see above) before we even discuss Anderson’s controversial steroid accusations. Silva tested positive for drostanolene and androsterone after his fight with Nick Diaz. Since we don’t know the extent of his performance enhancing drug use due to the fact the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) wasn’t in effect earlier on in Anderson’s career, there will always be an asterisk on his resume.
Emelianenko, on the other hand, suffered losses to two fighters Cormier beat in Dan Henderson and Antonio Silva. Not to mention Emelianenko also lost to Matt Mitrione in 2016…so there’s that.
Cormier has not only found massive success at two different weight classes, but he has carried himself as a role model throughout his career as any champion should. The guy is a culmination of hard work, perseverance, and discipline. I mean, to be considered the greatest rival of the most talented fighter of all time must mean something right? Cormier is the only opponent that managed to bring out the extreme wild side of Jon Jones.
It’s because, often times, athletes who display an unprecedented amount of greatness come and go without receiving the recognition they’ve earned.
Why am I trying so hard to sell everyone on Cormier (if he even needs selling)? It’s because, often times, athletes who display an unprecedented amount of greatness come and go without receiving the recognition they’ve earned. I’m a little worried Daniel Cormier might be one of those athletes. He has done everything and more in terms of having a decorated career in professional combat sports. He has carried himself with dignity — like a champion is supposed to — and has helped improve the landscape of mixed martial arts.
There is no reason this guy shouldn’t be placed along the top 10 fighters to ever set foot in the octagon. It could be very possible, if Cormier never ran into Jon Jones, he would be still remain undefeated today. A man amongst men and a champion amongst champions, D.C. has cemented himself as one of the most prominent figures in the sport and the only direction he’s heading is upwards.
