The next generation of heavyweight – that’s the tag attached to Tom Aspinall. To move like he does, with the size he has, the Brit really is special. Out of the eight UFC fights Aspinall has won, none have gone past the second round. But the British superman has a kryptonite, and he was humble enough to admit it. According to ‘Honey Badger,’ former two-weight champion Daniel Cormier would have given him a run for his money.

Tom Aspinall, who is preparing for his first heavyweight title defense this month in Abu Dhabi, recently invoked Daniel Cormier’s name when asked whether any past or present fighter could threaten his belt. In a Reddit thread where a user posted an infographic, Aspinall said: “I say it every time when I see DC. I think he is an absolute nightmare match up for me… He would have been a very very hard work for me. But I believe I have the power to knock anybody out.” (Via his YouTube channel)

The heavyweight champion also attended the ShxtsNGigs podcast, where he said, “Yeah, peak DC has the worst style for me ever… He’s short, I’ve said this to his face as well, short guy who just keeps walking forward, changing levels in between grappling punches.” Aspinall added, “He can knock you out. He can take you down. He’s got cardio for days. For my style, he’s a nightmare.”

“Work ethic, confidence, a laser focus, and commitment” — that was the mantra Daniel Cormier lived by in his fighting days. Today, the MMA world knows Cormier as the affable face behind the desk, trading jibes and snacks while he commentates on pay‑per‑view events, but at his peak, ‘DC’ dominated inside the Octagon. At UFC 226, the 5’11” Cormier shattered Stipe Miocic’s six‑fight win streak after Cormier moved up from light heavyweight to challenge the 6’4″ champion.

Listed as a slight underdog, the 39‑year‑old unleashed a masterclass in wrestling, raw power, and fight‑finishing precision, toppling Miocic’s more‑than‑two‑year reign as heavyweight champion. That night, Daniel Cormier secured his place in history as the second fighter, after Conor McGregor, to hold titles in two weight classes simultaneously. Years later, even in retirement and as an analyst, Cormier still casts a long shadow over the division.

Aspinall’s words underscore the immense respect Daniel Cormier commands as one of the sport’s all-time greats. Outside of Jon Jones, few fighters ever posed a genuine threat to him in the Octagon. With years of wrestling and Olympic experience seamlessly fused into his MMA arsenal, prime DC was a force that could dismantle anyone who dared step into his path. But does the fanbase see it the same way as Aspinall? Let’s take a closer look.

Fans weigh in as Tom Aspinall highlights Daniel Cormier’s nightmare era

In his prime, after completing a decorated Olympic wrestling career, ‘DC’ dominated the MMA landscape well into his 40s. He began his professional journey in Strikeforce, compiling a 13-fight win streak before the promotion merged with the UFC, which set the stage for his legendary career.

Responding to Tom Aspinall’s comments on Reddit, one fan agreed with Tom Aspinall’s assessment: “Prime DC is a nightmare matchup for anyone other than Jon Jones.”

Daniel Cormier finished his career with an impressive 22-3-0 (1 NC) record. He suffered his final two defeats in a rematch and trilogy against Stipe Miocic, but he was already past 40. At his peak, only Jon Jones could challenge Cormier. The two faced off twice, with Jones winning both times; however, in the rematch, Jones tested positive for PEDs, which prompted the California State Athletic Commission to overturn the decision.

Putting the Jon Jones chapter aside, fans continued to praise Daniel Cormier’s dominance. One wrote: “DC was a nightmare for ANYBODY,” while another echoed the sentiment: “Prime DC is a nightmare for anyone. I think Tom could beat him, but like anyone, nothing is a guarantee.”

Now, Tom Aspinall sits atop the heavyweight division. He secured the undisputed championship after Jon Jones postponed a title unification bout while Aspinall held the interim belt for nearly two years. Ultimately, Jones retired, paving the way for the Englishman, Tom Aspinall, to claim the championship. UFC fans have lauded his rise, noting: “Tom would’ve been an insane addition to the heavyweight roster in 2018.”

Tom Aspinall has established himself as a genuine threat in the heavyweight division. Observers often note his speed, comparing it to a flyweight fighter, even at heavyweight. He has defeated stars like Sergio Pavlovich and Curtis Blaydes, and now he prepares to face Ciryl Gane at UFC 321. Still, some fans remain skeptical: “It’s gonna be funny looking back on all the Aspinall hype after Gane introduces him to levels,” wrote one, while another acknowledged his potential, commenting: “You’re a HW Tom, everyone has the power to knock someone out.”

At the same time, many fans view prime Daniel Cormier as a nightmare for any opponent. Could he have posed the same challenge for Aspinall? How do you read Aspinall’s bold claims? Could a peak ‘DC’ have tested the Englishman’s limits inside the Octagon? Share your prediction below.