‘What he’s done is crazy’: UFC Hall of Famer’s huge ‘killer’ Volk call in GOAT debate

ABU DHABI — Daniel Cormier has branded Alexander Volkanovski a “killer” who must now be added to any UFC GOAT conversation, declaring: “What the guy has done already is crazy”.

In a huge show of support for Australia’s No.1 fighter, Cormier says Volkanovski is undeniably in the GOAT debate alongside the likes of Anderson Silva and Georges St Pierre.

The UFC Hall of Famer also said the Aussie should sit alone at the top of pound for pound rankings, declaring him greater than even reigning UFC heavyweight champ Jon Jones.

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Cormier’s high praise comes as he prepares to call the hyped showdown between Volkanovski and UFC featherweight king Islam Makhachev at UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi, Sunday.

Should the Wollongong native win, he will become just the fifth ‘champ champ’ in UFC history – joining Cormier, Conor McGregor, Henry Cejudo and Amanda Nunes.

Yet regardless of the fight this weekend, Cormier insists Volkanovski has already done enough to enter GOAT conversations.

“I think you can start talking Alexander Volkanovski in the greatest of all time conversation right now,” Cormier said.

“Because a lot of people considered the greatest of all time, they’re guys that won belts and defended them in their weight class.

“It wasn’t a requirement to have two belts to be in the conversation.

“Anderson Silva and Georges St Pierre dominated their weight classes.

“Demetrious Johnson dominated his weight class.

“I know Georges won a second belt, but he never defended it.

“Same as DJ’s legacy is at 125.

“Anderson’s legacy was built at 185.

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“And what Alexander has done already in the featherweight division — it’s crazy.

“So it’s not too early to consider him on the shortlist of greatest fighters of all time.”

Cormier added soon after that while other featherweight contenders like Ilia Topuria “will argue you to death” about them being a legitimate challenger for his crown, “when you look down the line, it’s hard to see a guy at that weight class who’s going to give him difficulty”.

Before Volkanovski fought Makhachev for the first time back in February, Cormier said a win for the Aussie would rank as the greatest upset in UFC history.

So to do it now, on 11 days notice?

“I’m doubling down,” Cormier cackled.

“Volk wins this fight, it’ll be easily one of the biggest fights in UFC history.

“These circumstances are so hard to overcome.

“Not only are you fighting a great fighter in Makhachev, you’re fighting him on 11 days’ notice, and with him now recognising the challenge ahead.

“I think Islam was a bit dismissive of Volkanovski last time, and I think that cost him.

“Because (when you finally) realise you’re in there with an absolute killer, it’s too late to pivot.

“This time however Islam knows what’s in front of him and he’ll be better prepared to take on the challenge.

“But I don’t know that it changes much.

“Volkanovski is that good, and he’ll be a problem for anyone any time they fight.”

Asked about the Australian’s ongoing rise and rise, DC continued: “Every time Volk goes in there he gets better.

“It was on display most in the trilogy against Max Holloway.

“Fight one between them was like this (holds two fingers almost together).

“Fight two was a little wider and then a year later — one year — and there was a river between them, an ocean.

“Volkanovski had improved so much.

“Then it was Yair Rodriguez — what Volk did to him was nuts.

“The dude just keeps evolving.

“I’m always in awe when he fights.

“He doesn’t get tired at all either, which is impossible.

“You’re fighting for 25 minutes, so it doesn’t matter if you’re winning, you’re exhausted.

“But Volk doesn’t look tired and he just keeps improving every time.”

Currently, Volkanovski is ranked equal first in P4P ranking with UFC heavyweight champ Jones. Makhachev is behind them in third spot.

Asked for his own opinion on the often debated list, Cormier said: “I think Volk and Islam should both be ahead of Jon.

“I feel like when Jones came back, he won and then went right back to where he was.

“For so long, he was number one and it felt like people wanted to put him back there.

“But those guys (Volkanovski and Makhachev), their first fight was billed as the pound for pound best in the world.

“Number one and number two fighting — and it should’ve stayed that way.”

Cormier added that while Jones has effectively done the definition of what a P4P champ should – moving from light heavyweight to heavyweight and taking the title – he never fought the true king, given Francis Ngannou had just left the company.

“If he had beat Francis, there’d be no doubt about it,” Cormier continued of Jones, who doubles as his own longtime rival.

“And I don’t want to sit here and take anything away from his accomplishment, it’s fantastic.

“But those other guys should be number one and two.”

And as for where Volk sits if he becomes a ‘champ champ’ this Sunday?

“Becoming a UFC champion in one weight class is impossible,” Cormier said.

“I’m telling you, with the amount of people who fight for these belts, it’s impossible to be a champion in one weight division.

“So doing it in two, it’s like winning a Super Bowl. Or any of the biggest sporting accomplishments you can speak of.”

While Cormier is friends with Makhachev, he refused to make a fight prediction, saying: “I can’t pick the fight.

“I’m not allowed.

“I’m calling the fight so I don’t have to make predictions … (laughs) that way nobody gets mad at me anymore.”