Daniel Cormier: Ilia Topuria poised to grow to be ‘international famous person’ for UFC in 2025

Daniel Cormier thinks the stage is ready for an Ilia Topuria takeover within the UFC this yr.

Topuria (16-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) had an unforgettable 2024 in knocking out Alexander Volkanovski to claim the featherweight title in February earlier than knocking out Max Holloway in his first defense in October. The physique of labor earned “El Matador” recognition as MMA Junkie’s 2024 Male Fighter of the Year.

Though Cormier didn’t view UFC 298 and UFC 308, each of which had been headlined by Topuria, because the marquee promoting occasions of the yr, he stated these experiences laid the inspiration for Topuria to grow to be one of many UFC’s marquee stars as 2025 begins.

“It’s a must to beat the prior technology to take from it,” Cormier advised MMA Junkie. “It’s like (skilled) wrestling. The previous champion will get pinned by the brand new champion to construct. That’s why The Final Warrior pinned Hulk Hogan, and Hulk Hogan didn’t wish to get pinned. However they wanted him to get the rub, and now what Ilia goes to do is take plenty of that shine from Volkanovski and Max – particularly if Volk will get a rematch and he beats him once more – into what is going to grow to be a worldwide famous person.”

It stays to be seen what Topuria’s upcoming yr appears to be like like, and to what diploma he’ll have the ability to capitalize on his present momentum.

If the UFC is ready to host an occasion in Spain with Topuria on the high of the invoice, that may be a second that will seemingly resonate in a giant method.

Cormier stated his solely concern is about the kind of opponents Topuria is matched up with. A rematch towards Volkanovski can be a major contest for the game, however past that the listing of contenders comparable to Diego Lopes, Movsar Evloev, Brian Ortega and extra don’t have a confirmed observe file of transferring the needle.

If Topuria will get that far in his reign, Cormier stated these will likely be the kind of fights that really check the champ’s drawing energy.

“I feel he’s nonetheless bought work to do at 145,” Cormier stated. “Sadly, he’s going to beat the fellows that promote early, so he’s going to have to hold Diego Lopes, he’s going to have to hold Evloev to numbers. As a result of the numbers within the weight class now for the final 9 years have belonged to Volkanovski and Holloway. He’s going to have to hold these new guys as a result of they don’t have the cache that these final two had.”

To listen to extra from Cormier, take a look at his full look above on “The Bohnfire” podcast, hosted by MMA Junkie senior reporter Mike Bohn.