Daniel Cormier Exclusive: Islam vs Ilia, Conor McGregor, Jon Jones, the BMF Title, and More

Ahead of UFC 327 this Saturday at Miami’s Kaseya Center, Hard Rock Bet News caught up with one of the sport’s true legends – former UFC light heavyweight and heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier. DC weighed in on some of the biggest storylines in the UFC today, from a potential superfight between Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria to Arman Tsarukyan’s title prospects, the future of the BMF belt, and what could be next for Conor McGregor and Jon Jones.

How do you think a matchup between Islam and Ilia would go?

Daniel Cormier: I think a matchup between Ilia Topuria, if it was to happen—which, by the way, is the biggest fight the UFC can make across any weight class, any gender, anything—I think it would be the most competitive matchup that you could make in the UFC because you have two of the most elite fighters in the world.

I think it would be tremendous. I think the build would be tremendous, and I think the in-octagon fight would be amazing because, obviously, Ilia is a fantastic striker, but he has wrestling skills to match that, and so does Islam Makhachev.

I think—or I know for a fact—that it would be the highest level of skill we have seen inside the octagon in a really long time.

Do you believe Arman is a future champion at lightweight?

Daniel Cormier: I believe that Arman Tsarukyan is about as close to a lock for a championship as we’ve seen in a really long time, especially with it seeming like Ilia Topuria also wants to go up in weight class.

Who is the ideal opponent for Conor McGregor if he returns? Do you think a Nate Diaz trilogy fight should be the fight?

Daniel Cormier: I thought a Nate Diaz trilogy would be a great idea for Conor McGregor, but I thought the Michael Chandler fight was ideal for him.

Obviously, we’ve heard some rumors of people he might fight, but it has to be one of those guys—Michael Chandler or Nate Diaz. But Chandler’s booked now for the White House card, so I don’t really know what they’re doing with McGregor.

For the BMF title, do you think that belt should be retired? If not, who should fight for it next?

Daniel Cormier: I think the BMF title should not be retired, but I also think it should be limited to guys that aren’t necessarily in contention right now.

Because, again, Charles Oliveira has now won a couple of fights in a row, and he looks like he’s trying to earn another championship opportunity, so you can expect him to fight a little safer.

I think we need to have this belt fought for between guys that don’t necessarily have championship aspirations and just let it all hang out.

Who do you believe is the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world right now?

Daniel Cormier: I think the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world is Islam Makhachev.

Who deserves the next title shot at welterweight? You’ve got Ian Garry, Morales, Usman—anyone else?

Daniel Cormier: I don’t think you can go wrong at 170.

I think Kamaru Usman deserves it. Ian Garry deserves it. Shavkat is obviously the clear number one contender, but he’s injured.

I guess I would probably say Ian Garry, just because he has a longer winning streak. But in terms of name recognition and the biggest possible fight, I think Kamaru Usman—especially with the way he fought Khamzat Chimaev.

Khamzat has looked unbeatable outside of those moments where Kamaru was competitive.

Procházka vs. Ulberg will be the vacant light heavyweight title fight. What does each guy have to do to win?

Daniel Cormier: Jiří Procházka just has to be himself. He has a way of getting to people with his unique style and knocking them out. He’s about as violent as anyone we’ve ever seen inside the octagon.

For Carlos Ulberg, he’s got to be athletic and explosive. He has to make sure Jiří fights him at range.

Look, what we’ve seen is that Jiří struggles when he can’t create chaos—like against Alex Pereira, where he couldn’t get him into that firefight.

Ulberg needs to make sure he doesn’t create chaos and stays safe.

Do you think Jon Jones will return?

Daniel Cormier: I think Jon Jones will fight again. I don’t know when or where. It seems much less likely after not being on the White House card, but I do think we’ll get at least one more.

Do you have any early thoughts on Topuria vs. Gaethje headlining the White House card?

Daniel Cormier: I thought that Topuria vs. Gaethje is the headline fight that needed to happen, especially since Justin Gaethje is the only American champion we have right now.

You’ve got to have an American champion headlining the White House, and I think Gaethje fits that mold.

And him beating Paddy Pimblett worked out well for the UFC. Obviously, Ilia Topuria is one of the biggest stars in all of mixed martial arts.

Pereira moves up to heavyweight to take on Ciryl Gane. You moved up from light heavyweight and became a double champ—did you find it hard adjusting?

Daniel Cormier: No, moving up to heavyweight wasn’t that bad because I had fought there so many times early in my career, so it was like going back. I was used to the heavyweights.

Now for Alex Pereira, I don’t think it’s going to be that big of an issue. The one thing I worry about is how his speed translates.

Because he’s not going up to fight a slow, plodding heavyweight—he’s fighting someone who moves really well in Ciryl Gane, who’s more like a lighter-weight fighter.

So I’m interested to see how his speed carries from 205 to heavyweight.

Is there a heavyweight flying under the radar who could become a contender?

Daniel Cormier: I think some of the young wrestlers are going to be a real problem.

One is a guy not even in there yet—Gable Steveson. He’s going to be an issue for this weight class.

And so is Josh Hokit—he’s only had a couple of fights in the UFC and is already fighting Curtis Blaydes, who’s been one of the best heavyweights for a long time.

If he can handle that in Miami, he’s a real player at heavyweight and may already be on the shortlist for a title shot.

Dana White and TKO have entered boxing. What do you think of Zuffa Boxing so far? Do you expect more big signings? And Matchroom signed Tom Aspinall—was that in response to Conor Benn signing with Zuffa?

Daniel Cormier: Zuffa Boxing is something Dana’s wanted to do for a really long time.

If I’m being honest, I haven’t watched as much of the boxing, but I believe that anything Dana sets his mind to, he will make successful.

So I believe Zuffa Boxing is going to be a successful endeavor for him, TKO, and the whole group.

With that being said, I do believe the Conor Benn signing was just the first of many big signings you’ll see, and I think it’s going to continue to grow and get bigger and bigger and bigger.

Eddie Hearn signing Tom Aspinall—it feels like a direct response to Conor Benn signing with Zuffa.

I don’t think anyone can say those two things don’t align—and if they do, they’re lying to themselves.

But I’m here for it. I’m here for the beef, the fighting, and boxing being put on the national stage because of promoter competition.

Ultimately, it will lead to fighters making more money and getting more exposure. So I’m all for the athletes getting paid more.