LAS VEGAS – UFC president Dana White agrees that legacy is at stake in the UFC 252 main event.
Heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic (19-3 MMA, 13-3 UFC) will defend his title against former heavyweight and light heavyweight champ Daniel Cormier (22-2 MMA, 11-2 UFC) on Saturday in a trilogy fight that many believe will determine the greatest heavyweight of all time.
With the score tied 1-1, both men are vying to cement their position, and White thinks this fight undoubtedly determines who the best heavyweight in the history of the sport is.
“I’m so pumped for that fight,” White told reporters, including MMA Junkie, on Tuesday night. “First of all, both the fights before the trilogy have been incredible. The way that Cormier won the first fight and the way that Stipe won the second fight, and it’s one of the best trilogies ever. I saw some debate on if the winner of this fight would go down as the greatest heavyweight – it’s no (expletive) debate. There’s no debate. The winner of this fight is the greatest heavyweight ever. Not of this era – ever in UFC history and mixed martial arts.
“I know there’s talk about other guys, you gotta look at who they fought, and there’s just no doubt. There’s no question that these two – Saturday will determine who the man is.”
Former PRIDE heavyweight champ Fedor Emelianenko, who at one point went on a remarkable 27-fight unbeaten run, is widely regarded by many as the greatest heavyweight of all time, but White scoffed at that notion when it was brought up.
White thinks there’s no comparison when looking at the level of competition that both Miocic and Cormier have gone up against throughout their careers.
UFC 252 takes place Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN/ESPN+.
Dana White: 'No debate' that Stipe Miocic-Daniel Cormier trilogy winner is heavyweight GOAT