Daniel Cormier Expresses Worries About the Influence of UFC Champions
The current crop of UFC champions, according to former two-division champion Daniel Cormier, lack the star power of their predecessors, which is problematic in a sport where superstar appeal has typically been associated with champions.
Having fought legendary fighters like Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic, Cormier was an important character in UFC history. He held belts in both the heavyweight and light heavyweight categories. His opinions now matter in mixed martial arts because of his role as a pundit and analyst. Former UFC champions were “blockbusters” who needed everyone’s attention, says Cormier. In a recent episode of the Good Guy/Bad Guy podcast, Cormier brought attention to what he regarded as a dearth of charismatic champions in the current scene by comparing the UFC stars of yesteryear with the champions of today.
The champions of the Ultimate Fighting Championship used to be superstars.
“You really had to see them,” Cormier said. ”
We had guys like Anderson Silva, Jon Jones, Conor McGregor, Brock Lesnar, Cain Velasquez, BJ Penn… all of them were amazing fighters who you just had to watch.”
A UFC Devoid of Superstars?
In his evaluation, Cormier noted that modern-day champions fail to inspire the same level of popular fascination as these legendary figures. “Today, it doesn’t seem so much,” Cormier murmured on. Is that huge star missing in some way? At this point in time, it appears that only Alex Pereira and Jon Jones are making a significant impact.
His thoughts are in line with those of many mixed martial arts fans, especially long-time observers. There’s no denying that Silva, Jones, and McGregor were legends who ushered in new periods in UFC history. But many current champions, aside from Jon Jones and Alex Pereira, aren’t generating the same level of interest from fans, says Cormier.
Cormier singled out Jon Jones, a legendary fighter and generally regarded as the best of all time, as an example of a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. His supremacy inside the octagon yet draws large pay-per-view buys, even though Jones has scandals and legal issues outside of it.
“Jon Jones is a proven draw,” Cormier informed the press. P.P.V. sales will be his forte. If the conditions are appropriate, Alex Pereira will sell P.V.s.
When Greats Die, Who Will Take Their Place?
The fact that the UFC has traditionally promoted its champions extensively is one of the fundamental worries here. Anderson Silva’s intimidating presence and Conor McGregor’s brazen, larger-than-life demeanor are just two examples of how the UFC has succeeded in making its fighters into household names throughout the world.
But it appears the recipe isn’t working as well now. Present UFC champions such as Zhang Weili, Alexandre Pantoja, Ilia Topuria, Islam Makhachev, and Belal Muhammad were named by Cormier, who implied that although they are great fighters, they do not yet captivate an international audience to the same extent.
“I must convey to you, if anyone can sell, it is Jones,” Cormier stressed. “The champions before them sold more pay-per-views than these other names, despite their talent.”
The champions of today are incredibly gifted; that much is certain. For instance, many see Islam Makhachev as the natural successor to Khabib Nurmagomedov, the most dominant UFC fighter of all time. The women’s strawweight division is home to Zhang Weili, a true superstar. According to Cormier, the problem is that they can’t seem to get fans’ attention on a national level.
The Shadow of Conor McGregor Remains Huge
Conor McGregor must also be mentioned whenever the topic of UFC prominence is broached. The Irish fighter is still the most famous athlete in the world, even though he hasn’t fought in a while and has lost consecutive fights. He has become a worldwide sports hero thanks to his magnetic personality, divisive antics, and exceptional fighting abilities; none of his opponents, with the possible exception of Jon Jones, can match him.
Even though Conor McGregor hasn’t competed since sustaining a horrific leg injury in his trilogy bout with Dustin Poirier in 2021, his name alone is still powerful enough to make headlines. He is still the highest-paid athlete in the sport, and his retirement from competition only serves to emphasize the void that Cormier has found among the current crop of champions.
Newcomers like Sean O’Malley, who was defeated by Merab Dvalishvili for the bantamweight belt not long ago, are also trying to make a name for themselves. O’Malley has won over a younger audience and a devoted following on social media because to his colorful style and magnetic personality. But not even he has confirmed that he will be the next big crossover star.
Where Do UFC Champions Stand Going Forward?
The concern that remains as the UFC expands as a worldwide brand is if any of the current champions will achieve the same degree of fame as former champions such as McGregor, Jones, or Silva. Is it more likely that the sport has progressed to the point where it can sustain itself without a small number of superstars?
Star power is still crucial to the UFC’s identity, according to Cormier. What fans really want are boxers with interesting backstories, charismatic characters, and whom they can connect on an emotional level, in addition to exciting bouts. It was for this reason that former champions like McGregor and Silva were fascinating to watch.
Even if Alex Pereira is showing promise, Jon Jones is still the UFC’s best bet for a draw. The message from Cormier is loud and clear, though: the upcoming champions must do more than just win; they must win over fight fans all around the globe.
