Former UFC champion Daniel Cormier reflects on his prime years and the current state of the light heavyweight division. In a recent Q&A, Cormier expressed his belief that he would have dominated the current crop of UFC light heavyweight contenders, stating, 'If I was at my prime in light heavyweight right now, there's no wrestlers. I'd be just feasting on everybody.'
Cormier, who held the light heavyweight title and defended it three times, notes a significant difference between the top contenders during his era and the current ones. He highlights the absence of wrestlers in the current division, contrasting it with his own era where he, Jon Jones, Ryan Bader, Phil Davis, and Rashad Evans were all highly accomplished wrestlers. Cormier believes that the current top five in the UFC's light heavyweight rankings, including Jiri Prochazka, Magomed Ankalaev, Carlos Ulberg, Khalil Rountree Jr., and Jan Blachowicz, lack the wrestling prowess that was prevalent during his time.
Despite the current division's lack of wrestlers, Cormier acknowledges that he would likely have faced Alex Pereira, the current UFC light heavyweight champion, due to Pereira's star power and the potential for significant earnings as a champion. However, Cormier's statement underscores a broader point about the evolution of the sport and the changing dynamics of the UFC's light heavyweight division.
This statement has sparked debate among fans and analysts, with some agreeing that the current division lacks the depth and wrestling ability of Cormier's era. Others argue that the current champions are still highly skilled and that Cormier's statement is an overstatement. The discussion invites further exploration of the sport's evolution and the impact of wrestling on its fighters' success.
