UFC Fight Island 2 or Fight Night: Figueiredo vs Benavidez 2 saw the UFC Flyweight Championship fight. On the night, ‘Deus da Guerra’ decimated Benavidez in under 5 minutes to claim the gold. As a result, social media and fans began branding the latter as the greatest UFC fighter to not win a championship. The issue served as a topic of discussion between Daniel Cormier and Ariel Helwani on the latest episode of ‘DC and Helwani.’

On the ESPN MMA show, the UFC’s second simultaneous 2-division champion didn’t seem on board with the assessment. He said, “I don’t think that’s true, I don’t think that’s true. There are some guys out there that haven’t been UFC Champion.”

Daniel Cormier names some great UFC Fighters who have not won the gold

At this point, Cormier names a former Light Heavyweight fighter. He says, “I got one at least, I got one for sure, Alexander Gustafsson. Because he came so close to beating 2 of the greatest fighters of all time. Right? So he didn’t lose his championship fights. He was right in the mix with 2 great Champions.”

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‘The Mauler’ competed for the 205 lbs strap on 3 occasions. He fell twice to the dominant Jon Jones and once to Daniel Cormier himself. The Cormier fight at UFC 192 was a split decision defeat. Now the Swedish fighter who retired last year will make his return this Saturday in the Whittaker vs Till, Fight Night. He will take on former UFC Heavyweight Champion Fabricio Werdum. 

Here ‘DC and Helwani’ moved onto another fighter in a former UFC Middleweight mainstay. ‘DC’ said, “Dan Henderson never won a UFC Championship. You gotta think about the career that Dan Henderson has had before the UFC and in the UFC.” 

‘Hendo’ competed twice for the 185 lbs belt and once for the Light Heavyweight belt. He lost both Middleweight fights going down to Anderson Silva at UFC 82 and Michael Bisping in what was his retirement match at UFC 204. At 205 lbs he fell to Quinton Jackson at UFC 75.

At this point, ‘DC’ paused and Helwani decided to assist him. He put forward the name Guy Metzger to which Cormier replied, “Oh yeah.” Next up came Alistair Overeem to which the fighter said, “Alistair Overeem, yea that’s another guy.” 

‘The Demolition Man’ has been extremely active on social media in recent weeks. It seems as though he is serious about adding the UFC Heavyweight belt to his impressive collection of Championships from promotions all over the globe. The Dutch fighter had a chance in the UFC but lost his battle against Stipe Miocic at UFC 203. 

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Now Helwani put forth the name of a Lightweight fighter. Cormier agreed, “Kenny Florian, yea another guy who challenged for the belt and, yea Kenny.” 

‘KenFlo’ challenged for the gold on 3 occasions. He failed all three times against Sean Sherk, B.J.Penn, and Jose Aldo. Finally, Helwani put forward 4 more names in Urijah Faber, Nick and Nate Diaz, Demain Maia.

Very tough to pick just one fighter- ‘DC’

Now, the top-ranked UFC Heavyweight fighter provided an analysis of the debate. He reasoned that it would be very tough to say that one athlete would be the best to not win a title.

He said, “That’s why it is hard to make that big an assessment right in the moment because when you think about it, it’s like wow. Like honestly when I think about it I’m like wow! Honestly for all those guys that you just listed. I could not even say who would be the guy that would be the best to never win the title.” 

Cormier himself is confused despite successfully narrowing his choices down to two. He says, “I think Hendo for all of his achievements. But I don’t even know if that’s absolutely correct. Because look at Alistair Overeem. Look at all that he’s done, when you look at a lifetime of accomplishments and not getting to wear the UFC Title he might be the guy.”

Finally, he surmises that it is hard to make such a determination. This is because there have been a plethora of fighters that haven’t won the title or haven’t even had the chance to compete for the belt.

He attributes this to the unique challenges faced by UFC competitors and says, “But then I believe that just speaks to how difficult it is to become a UFC Champion. It’s just a different level of athlete that gets to wear that belt.”

What do you make of this assessment by Daniel Cormier?

Read: Jorge Masvidal Names the Greatest UFC Fighter to Not Win a Title