Ali Akbar Rosady
Former two-division Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) titleholder and Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier has voiced significant apprehension regarding the current landscape of American mixed martial arts (MMA), particularly in the lead-up to the anticipated "UFC White House" event. Cormier’s concerns center on the notable scarcity of American fighters holding undisputed championship belts within the premier global MMA promotion.
Currently, the United States lays claim to only two undisputed UFC champions: Kayla Harrison, who holds the bantamweight title, and Mackenzie Dern, the reigning strawweight queen. Both fighters hail from distinct American states, with Harrison representing Ohio and Dern representing Arizona. Critically, the men’s divisions currently lack any undisputed American champions. While Arizona’s Justin Gaethje recently secured an interim lightweight title, this distinction underscores the absence of a fully unified male American champion.
In a candid interview with Sports Illustrated, Cormier elaborated on this concerning trend, initially prompted by questions regarding the perceived "poor state" of the heavyweight division. The heavyweight category notably features no American fighters within its top 10 rankings, highlighting a broader issue of American representation at the sport’s highest echelons.
Despite the lack of American heavyweights in the top 10, Cormier offered a more nuanced perspective on the division’s overall health. "It’s not dead because Tom Aspinall is an absolute stud," Cormier stated, acknowledging the British fighter’s impact. He further noted the competitive depth, citing Ciryl Gane’s recent performance as evidence of significant competition. Cormier also emphasized the lingering presence of former long-reigning light heavyweight champion Jon Jones, whose potential return continues to fuel speculation despite recent inactivity. "Jon Jones is still lingering. I know people might want to think that he’s done, but he’s still lingering, hanging around," Cormier remarked.
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Cormier asserted that the heavyweight division inherently maintains a degree of excitement due to the nature of the weight class. "But the heavyweight division is always going to be OK because it doesn’t take much to get people excited," he explained. He pointed to the immediate surge in interest following Tom Aspinall’s initial title victory, attributing it to Aspinall’s dominant performance. Cormier emphasized the importance of Aspinall’s return to solidify his position as the world’s best, acknowledging the controversial nature of his last fight’s conclusion due to an eye poke. "It was the way the last fight ended with the eye poke, but Tom’s still dealing with that eye injury right now. It was a real injury," Cormier confirmed, providing context for Aspinall’s current hiatus.
However, Cormier swiftly pivoted to what he considers a more profound and pressing issue for American MMA. "The bigger problem is the Americans because not only do we not have an American in the top 10 at heavyweight, we don’t have an American in the top 10 pound for pound in any weight," Cormier declared, highlighting a critical absence of American dominance across all divisions. He reiterated that Justin Gaethje’s interim lightweight championship represents the sole male American belt. Yet, Cormier expressed a determined optimism, stating, "But we’re going to fix that, we’ll start training some wrestlers." This declaration suggests a strategic approach to re-establish American supremacy, drawing upon the nation’s rich history and success in collegiate and Olympic wrestling, a discipline that has historically served as a strong foundation for many elite MMA fighters.
Beyond the heavyweight class, the UFC rankings do feature numerous American fighters. However, a significant portion of these ranked athletes comprises long-time veterans or former champions, rather than a robust influx of genuinely exciting, ascendant talents. This demographic trend may explain Cormier’s unexpected suggestion of his former rival, Jon Jones, as a potential catalyst for bringing gold back to the United States. Intriguingly, Cormier envisioned Jones competing not at heavyweight, where Jones has recently aimed to establish himself, but back in the light heavyweight division (205 pounds), a weight class Jones famously dominated for nearly a decade.
"I don’t know, I think if Jon Jones is going to fight, I think we have a better chance of seeing him fight Alex Pereira at 205 at the White House," Cormier speculated. He clarified his rationale, stating, "That is the fight, at least in my opinion. Jon Jones at heavyweight is great. I think his best is when he’s a 205-pounder. He’s gotten bigger, but I think he can still get the weight off." This proposition highlights Cormier’s belief in Jones’s optimal performance at light heavyweight and his desire for an American champion, even if it means Jones returning to a division he previously vacated.
Recent Developments in the MMA Landscape
The broader MMA community has been abuzz with several other significant narratives this week. Contrary to Cormier’s hopeful speculation, Jon Jones himself has cast doubt on his immediate fighting future. In a recent statement, Jones indicated a potential shift away from active competition, remarking, "I think I could be done." This declaration introduces considerable uncertainty regarding Jones’s return, potentially complicating Cormier’s vision for an American championship resurgence via "Bones."
Meanwhile, in the lightweight division, Usman Nurmagomedov has exuded significant confidence following his recent victory over Alfie Davis. Nurmagomedov asserted his belief that he possesses the capability to defeat top UFC contenders such as Ilia Topuria and Arman Tsarukyan with similar ease, signaling his ambition to challenge the elite of the sport.
The lead-up to UFC Vegas 113 provided a unique moment of pre-fight interaction between Mario Bautista and Vinicius Oliveira. During their face-off, the two fighters engaged in an unconventional exchange of words, with Bautista later revealing playful yet pointed comments about Oliveira’s demeanor. Post-fight, Oliveira disclosed that he had suffered a fractured forearm 51 days prior to the main event bout against Bautista, raising questions about the extent of his readiness for the contest.
Another contentious moment from UFC Vegas 113 involved Merab Dvalishvili and Muin Gafurov. Following Gafurov’s last-second tap-out, both fighters offered their perspectives on the incident, with "bell confusion" cited as a contributing factor to the timing of the submission. The controversy led to discussions regarding the clarity of fight-ending signals and fighter awareness in critical moments.
In a display of sportsmanship and camaraderie, Alex Pereira, a former kickboxing rival, publicly advocated for Dustin Jacoby to secure a spot in the UFC rankings. Pereira’s gesture, following Jacoby’s performance at UFC Vegas 113, was seen as a nod to their shared history and a recognition of Jacoby’s current form.
Beyond the UFC, the world of bare-knuckle boxing saw two iconic figures achieve notable success at BKFC KnuckleMania 6. Veteran heavyweight Andrei Arlovski, a former UFC champion, and the notoriously unpredictable Charles "Krazy Horse" Bennett both secured impressive victories, underscoring the enduring appeal and competitive spirit of long-serving combat sports athletes in new arenas.
Media Insights and Engagement
The week’s media coverage included a comprehensive post-fight analysis show for UFC Vegas 113, dissecting the event’s most impactful moments and fighter performances. Additionally, Mike Heck conducted an interview with Michael Chandler, who articulated his aspirations and strategic planning for a potential bout at the rumored "UFC White House" event. Footage also emerged from Paddy "The Baddy" Pimblett, providing fans with a glimpse into his post-fight recovery and early preparations for his next octagon appearance.
The latest episode of the podcast "On To the Next One," featuring hosts Mike Heck and Alexander K. Lee, provided an in-depth review of potential matchups following the initial Fight Night of the "Paramount era." Discussions focused on the career trajectory of fighters such as Mario Bautista, following his spectacular main event performance.
Social media platforms continued to serve as a hub for fighter interactions and fan engagement. Notable exchanges included a direct and somewhat unconventional call-out from one fighter, bypassing traditional channels with a pointed online post. Other viral content featured behind-the-scenes glimpses of training camps, expressions of gratitude, and candid reactions to recent fight outcomes. A particularly provocative post circulating on social media offered a "seedier" take on the BKFC brand, generating significant online discussion.
Concluding Observations
UFC Vegas 113 was largely considered a successful and entertaining event, delivering several memorable bouts. However, the event also brought to light logistical considerations, with some observers suggesting that future events involving high-profile fighters like Kyoji Horiguchi should ideally be hosted in more established and appropriately equipped venues, moving beyond what was described as a "glorified warehouse" setting. The ongoing discourse regarding American representation in the UFC championships, as highlighted by Daniel Cormier, remains a significant narrative that will likely influence strategic fighter development and matchmaking in the coming months.
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