Daniel Cormier says that while winning titles in three divisions is a significant achievement, he cannot yet place Alex Pereira above Georges St-Pierre or Khabib Nurmagomedov on his all-time greatest list. Cormier has not changed his previously stated position on Jon Jones either.
Daniel Cormier has made clear he is not ready to place Alex Pereira among the very best fighters in UFC history, even as the light heavyweight champion's accomplishments continue to pile up.
Speaking publicly ahead of Pereira's pursuit of a third divisional title, Cormier acknowledged that capturing gold in three separate weight classes would represent a remarkable feat. But he stopped well short of elevating Pereira above Georges St-Pierre or Khabib Nurmagomedov on his personal all-time list. Cormier also indicated his position on Jon Jones has not shifted.
St-Pierre, the 45-year-old Canadian out of Tristar Gym, retired with a 26-2 record and remains one of the most technically complete fighters the sport has produced. The former welterweight and middleweight champion landed strikes at 53 percent accuracy across his career while averaging more than four takedowns per fifteen minutes, combining elite grappling with disciplined striking over more than a decade at the top.
Khabib Nurmagomedov, 37, finished his career unblemished at 29-0, an achievement that stands alone in UFC championship history. Fighting out of Russia, The Eagle averaged 5.32 takedowns per fifteen minutes and physically dominated opponents from the moment bouts hit the canvas, making him the most suffocating wrestler the lightweight division has ever seen.
Jones, 38, carries a 28-1 record and brings elite physical tools to every matchup, including a six-foot-four frame and an 84-inch reach that measures 213 centimeters. His 58 percent striking accuracy is among the highest marks recorded for an active or recently retired champion.
Why it matters
- Pereira's potential third title run directly fuels the all-time greatest debate, making Cormier's position a timely data point
- St-Pierre and Khabib both finished careers with defining legacies across multiple divisions or undefeated records, setting a high bar for any comparison
- Cormier's unchanged stance on Jones keeps that particular rivalry in the conversation alongside any Pereira discussion
