Daniel Cormier has stated that he does not place Alex Pereira above Khabib Nurmagomedov or Georges St-Pierre in his all-time fighter rankings. While Cormier acknowledges Pereira's achievement of holding titles in three divisions as significant, he considers it insufficient to surpass those two legends at this stage.
Daniel Cormier has made clear that Alex Pereira's recent accomplishments, while historically notable, are not yet enough to place the Brazilian champion above Khabib Nurmagomedov or Georges St-Pierre in his personal all-time rankings.
Cormier acknowledged that Pereira's achievement of capturing titles across three divisions stands as a significant milestone in UFC history. However, he stopped short of elevating Pereira past either of the two fighters widely regarded as the greatest the sport has produced.
Khabib Nurmagomedov retired with a perfect 29-0 record, a mark that remains unmatched at the elite level. The 37-year-old Russian averaged 5.32 takedowns per 15 minutes throughout his career, a relentless grappling output that suffocated every opponent he faced and defined an era of lightweight competition.
Georges St-Pierre compiled a 26-2 record across his career, with the 45-year-old Canadian widely considered the standard-bearer for two-division relevance and championship longevity. Fighting out of Tristar Gym, GSP combined a striking accuracy of 53 percent with 4.16 takedowns per 15 minutes, making him one of the most complete fighters the welterweight and middleweight divisions have ever seen.
Why it matters
- Pereira's three-division title run has reignited the GOAT conversation, and where analysts place him shapes how his legacy is framed in real time
- Cormier's view carries weight given his own status as a two-division champion and respected analyst
- The debate highlights an ongoing tension between career longevity and peak achievement in all-time rankings discussions
- Neither Khabib nor GSP lost a UFC fight, a standard Pereira has not yet matched across his championship reign
