If there was ever a fighter that fit the mold of a UFC president, it might be Daniel Cormier.
Not that Dana White is going anywhere anytime soon, but if White ever decided to step down, Cormier, who retired from fighting in August, has all the makings of a great leader after a career that’s included being a UFC double champion, color commentator and analyst.
Speaking to MMA Junkie Radio, Cormier was asked who the best candidate would be to replace White if the position was available, but DC couldn’t come up with a name. Cormier explained that what the public sees is just a fraction of what the likes of White – Cormier also shouted out Bellator boss Scott Coker – have to go through, and he’s not sure if anyone would be able to handle the pressure.
“I speak to Dana, and the stress that this dude is under is so tremendous,” Cormier said. “You don’t understand. We were on ‘Fight Island,’ like what are you doing all day? He goes, ‘DC, you have no idea what it takes to keep this thing going right now.’ The stress of this job is so heavy that I don’t know who could do this job outside of him.”
Cormier continued, “Hunter (Campbell) helps Dana. It’s such a hard job that I don’t know who could do these jobs outside of the men that are doing them right now, so I don’t know who I would pick. I don’t know who would be next. I don’t know who could handle the stress of trying to run the UFC or Bellator for that matter. These are some of the hardest jobs in the world, so when guys sign up to be the president, you gotta be out of your freakin’ mind.”
Perhaps if the offer was on the table, Cormier would consider it, but as long as White is holding the reins, he doesn’t think anyone would be capable of doing a better job.
“It’s such a hard job,” Cormier said. “I just hope Dana’s doing it for a long time. Obviously I think anyone who would have the opportunity to do something like that, they would be an idiot not to try, but it’s not guaranteed that even if you were to get a job like that, you’re gonna succeed.”
UFC president some day? Daniel Cormier isn’t sure the job is for him
