Daniel Cormier will return to the weight class he competed in during his Strikeforce days against heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic in the main event of UFC 226.
With a victory over Miocic, Cormier will become only the second fighter in the UFC’s history to hold two titles simultaneously. An honor Conor Mcgregor holds first after claiming a lightweight title at UFC 205.
Many believe that Cormier twice lost to the previous pound-for-pound king and former champ Jon Jones, that discredit him from being considered the GOAT.
Cormier’s coach Javier Mendez, who’s among those people who believe that ‘DC’ should be considered in a GOAT conversation, with a Miocic win at UFC 226, during a discussion with Submission Radio: (Via BloodyElbow)
“I think [Cormier] is in the GOAT discussion only because the other people that should be there are disqualified — by their doing or not their doing, they got disqualified,” Mendez said. “So, to me, it’s a no-brainer as why he would be considered in that category. If you disqualify yourself, you disqualify yourself. Right or wrong, it doesn’t matter, you’re disqualified. So just from that point alone, a hundred percent he’s in the discussion in my opinion.”
Cormier’s only blemish was against Jon Jones back in 2015; then pair met in a rematch at UFC 214 last year, where Cormier lost via unanimous decision, but the result was changed to a no-contest in the wake of Jones’ failed drug test. Later Cormier was reinstated as a light heavyweight champion.
Before Cormier gets GOAT status, he needs to get past Miocic, who defended his title successfully three times since winning it two years ago at UFC 198 against Fabricio Werdum.
Coach Mendez says as far Cormier beat the heavyweight champion, DC’s huge advantage over Miocic is in the wrestling department.
“[Stipe has] great hands, too,” Mendez said. “Also, he has good power backing up, going forward — he’s extremely well-rounded, he’s got a good IQ. He’s got everything. And with ‘DC,’ what edges him out a little bit is in the wrestling. (He’s) a little higher wrestler. I think we have more striking opportunities with what we have, but the power factor goes to [Miocic], the height factor goes to him.
“But that’s nothing new to ‘DC.’ When he fought as a heavyweight for the 12 or 13 fights, he never lost a round in any of his heavyweight fights. The rounds that DC’s ever lost were in the light heavyweight division, but never in the heavyweight. Honestly speaking, I’m expecting that to happen again where he just dominates the heavyweights.”
UFC 226 will set to take place on July 7 at T-Mobile Arena.
Do you think Cormier will manage to beat Miocic at UFC 226?
