Imagine stepping back into the Octagon after a five-year hiatus, facing a current UFC heavyweight, and calling it a 'safe' fight. That's exactly what Daniel Cormier is proposing, and it’s sparking debates across the MMA world. But here’s where it gets controversial: Cormier, the former UFC double champ, believes a bout against Jailton Almeida would essentially be a wrestling match—a calculated, low-risk showdown that he could walk away from unscathed, even resuming his commentary duties immediately after. Sounds bold, right? Let’s break it down.
Cormier, who retired in 2020 after a trilogy loss to Stipe Miocic, has only tasted defeat at the hands of Miocic and Jon Jones throughout his storied career. Now, he’s eyeing a return against Almeida, whom he views primarily as a wrestler. During the UFC 322 weigh-in show, Cormier confidently stated, ‘All we out there doing is wrestling, baby. It’s a wrestling match.’ He sees this as a strategic move, a fight where both competitors focus on takedowns, minimizing the risk of serious injury. ‘It’s very safe,’ he added, even suggesting he could ‘literally fight Jailton and go and call the next fight.’
And this is the part most people miss: While Cormier’s logic seems sound on paper, Almeida isn’t exactly a pushover. Despite a recent split decision loss to Alexander Volkov at UFC 321, Almeida has finished 21 of his 22 professional wins. However, critics argue that his performances lack the spark expected from a top contender. UFC president Dana White, for instance, was relieved Almeida didn’t win by simply ‘lying on top’ of Volkov, highlighting the fine line between control and excitement in MMA.
So, is Cormier’s plan as foolproof as he claims? Or is he underestimating Almeida’s ability to disrupt his ‘safe’ narrative? Here’s the controversial question: Is Cormier’s proposed return a calculated comeback or a risky miscalculation? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments—do you think Cormier can pull this off, or is he setting himself up for an unexpected challenge?
