Daniel Cormier Fires Back: “Elite Lightweights Aren’t Afraid of Topuria”

The MMA world is buzzing after UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier stepped up to defend lightweight fighters against accusations of fear. With Ilia Topuria vacating his featherweight belt and eyeing a move up, tensions are already rising in what could be the UFC’s most dramatic division shake-up of 2024.

I’ve been covering the fight game for years, and let me tell you – when DC speaks, the MMA community listens. And this time, he’s not pulling any punches.

The Champion’s Challenge

Ilia “El Matador” Topuria stands undefeated at 16-0 (8-0 UFC). After demolishing Alexander Volkanovski to claim featherweight gold, the Spanish-Georgian fighter has made it clear – he wants bigger challenges and bigger paydays.

But here’s where things get interesting. Rumors have swirled that top lightweights might be hesitant to welcome the knockout artist to their division. Cormier isn’t buying it.

“These guys have fought killers their entire careers,” Cormier said on his YouTube channel. “You think Islam Makhachev, who trained with Khabib his whole life, is scared of Topuria? Come on, man. These narratives don’t make sense when you really break it down.”

The Lightweight Landscape

Let’s put this in perspective. The UFC’s lightweight division isn’t just deep – it’s a shark tank where champions have historically struggled to defend their belts more than a few times.

DC’s Reality Check

Cormier didn’t stop there. The former double-champion pointed out something that’s been obvious to hardcore fans but often gets lost in the hype:

“Topuria is incredible, no doubt. But moving up a weight class isn’t like switching from southpaw to orthodox. These guys are naturally bigger, stronger, and have been fighting at this weight their whole careers. Ilia’s power might not translate the same way against guys who don’t have to cut as much weight.”

You’ve got to appreciate DC’s honesty here. He’s never been one to sugarcoat things, even when it might ruffle some feathers.

The Championship Path

If Topuria wants lightweight gold, the road goes through Islam Makhachev – a fighter who has looked nearly untouchable since claiming the belt. Their potential matchup presents fascinating stylistic questions:

• Can Topuria’s striking power overcome Makhachev’s grappling dominance?
• Will Topuria’s takedown defense hold up against a larger, elite wrestler?
• How would Topuria handle fighting off his back if taken down?

Cormier addressed these questions directly: “Everyone has a puncher’s chance, but Islam doesn’t just rely on wrestling. His striking has improved tremendously. He knocked out Alexander Volkanovski – the same guy Topuria beat. This isn’t about fear; it’s about acknowledging the mountain you have to climb.”

What’s Next for Topuria?

While the MMA community debates his lightweight prospects, Topuria himself hasn’t announced his next move officially. There are several paths forward:

1. Take an immediate title shot against Makhachev (unlikely without a lightweight win)
2. Face a top-5 lightweight contender to prove himself at the weight
3. Consider a superfight against someone like Max Holloway

Whatever he chooses, one thing’s certain – Topuria’s star power continues to rise, and his confidence seems unlimited.

The Bottom Line

As a fight fan, you’ve got to love the possibilities here. Topuria’s confidence and skill set make for compelling storylines across two weight classes. But as Cormier wisely points out, the narrative that elite fighters are “afraid” rarely holds water when you examine the careers these athletes have built.

What do you think? Could Topuria become a two-division champion? Drop your thoughts in the comments below, and let’s keep this conversation going!

Source: MMA Junkie