UFC: Cormier’s legacy rests on the uncertainty of an eventual rematch with Jones

A champion in two weight divisions across two organisations, with victories over Anderson Silva, Josh Barnett, Dan Henderson and Frank Mir. Despite being a late comer to the world of MMA – he was already in his thirties before his first bout – Daniel Cormier has had a Hall of Fame-worthy career.

The reigning UFC light heavyweight champion, with his 18-1 win/loss record, is one of the finest fighters on the planet, of that there is no doubt. But that single blot on his copybook hangs from his neck like a heavy burden, the constant caveat that prevents the wider MMA world from truly believing that he is the top dog at 205lbs.

A unanimous decision defeat to former champion Jon Jones at UFC 182 in January 2015 is the only loss of Cormier’s career. The two men made no secret of their disdain for one another in the build up to the clash and many observers felt that Cormier, with his knockout power and Olympic wrestling pedigree, was the biggest threat to the crown of Jones, who held the light heavyweight belt at the time.

But Jones proved himself to be arguably the best pound-for-pound fighter in the planet on his way to a unanimous decision victory.

Personal issues, scrapes with the law and a failed drugs test have since seen Jones stripped of his title and the 29-year-old is currently serving a suspension for his latest indiscretion.

Cormier fought the heavy-hitting Anthony Johnson for the vacant belt at UFC 187 in May last year, and the 37-year-old American Kickboxing Academy standout overcame some early adversity to submit Johnson in the third round.

He has since defended his title against Alexander Gustafsson and beaten former middleweight king Anderson Silva in a hastily put together bout at UFC 200 after Jones was withdrawn from their scheduled rematch due to a doping violation.

As a former Strikeforce heavyweight grand prix winner, Cormier has held two world titles, in two different weight classes, in two major organisations. His resume speaks for itself.

The Lafayette, Louisiana, native is the rightful UFC light heavyweight champions, and, with Jones having “eliminated himself from competition,” as Cormier once put it, he deserves to be considered the number one 205lbs fighter in the world right now.

But without the chance to avenge his loss to Jones, no matter what he does from here, he may never be able to elevate himself to the level of being regarded as the greatest light heavyweight of all time.

That was a moniker that Jones earned in the Octagon during his rampaging run to the title and subsequent defences of it. For all his many faults, nobody bested Jones inside the cage – the only loss on his record was for a bizarre disqualification for using illegal elbows against Matt Hamill in 2009, a fight which he was on his way to winning handily.

Cormier is scheduled to fight Anthony Johnson again at UFC 206 on 10 December. Another win would cement his position as the best active 205er around.

But, through no real fault of his own, Cormier’s place in history rests on a rematch that nobody can guarantee will happen.