Dana White discusses Daniel Cormier’s place in the GOAT debate

When UFC light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier knocked out Stipe Miocic in the UFC 226 main event, he became one of just two men in UFC history to wear belts in two weight classes concurrently — the other being Conor McGregor. Perhaps even more importantly, this win over Miocic solidified Cormier as one of MMA’s Greatest Of All Time.

But where does Daniel Cormier sit in the GOAT discussion? UFC President Dana White gave his take at the UFC 226 post-fight press conference.

“[He’s] one of the best of all time,” White said of Cormier.

In White’s eyes, this win over Miocic will also help Cormier emerge from the shadow of Jon Jones, the only man he’s lost to.

“This was the right fight for him in that, if you think about his career,” White said. “He steps down from heavyweight to go to light heavyweight because his friend [Cain Velasquez] is the heavyweight [champ at the time]. He goes to 205, has an incredible career there, but has that Jon Jones thing.

“Jon Jones is, in my opinion, if not the, one of the greatest of all time – could be the,” White continued. “The potential that Jon Jones had, who knows what he could have done at heavyweight and everything else. So [Cormier has had to deal with] the shadow of Jon Jones.”

“[Cormier] moves back up to heavyweight, and he knocks out the best heavyweight ever in UFC history, in the first round, decisively. I think what this does is, it finally gives him the respect that he deserves.”

White continued to sing Cormier’s praises:

“He’s a two division champion, and now he’s got a big fight [with Brock Lesnar] ahead of him. A big fight, a big payday, and it couldn’t happen to a better guy. He’s an incredible ambassador to the sport. I said a long time ago, I told Daniel, ‘if you’re my champion for the rest of my career, I’ll be a very happy man.’ He’s a great analyst, he does a great job on television. I just can’t say enough good things about the guy and I’m really happy for him.”

What do you think Daniel Cormier’s UFC 226 defeat of Stipe Miocic does for his legacy?

This article first appeared on BJPenn.com on 7/9/2018.