Daniel Cormier dismisses Alex Pereira’s GOAT case ahead of UFC White House: ‘Needs more work!’

UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier believes Alex Pereira still has work to do to surpass Jon Jones and others in the GOAT debate.

Alex Pereira drew high praise from UFC CEO Dana White earlier this week, as the UFC head proclaimed Pereira would become the GOAT with a win at UFC Freedom 250. Pereira, who will make his heavyweight debut against Ciryl Gane for the interim title, could become the UFC’s first three-division champion.

UFC legend Matt Brown recently questioned the sincerity behind White’s claim, believing that it’s simply pre-fight promo material. But other fighters believe Pereira would make a strong case as the greatest fighter of all-time if he can get past Gane this weekend.

UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier, also a part of the GOAT debate, parted ways with White and believes Pereira still has a ways to go to cement himself as the greatest.

Daniel Cormier: Alex Pereira would sit behind GSP, Khabib in UFC GOAT case with win

During an appearance at UFC Freedom 250 media day, Cormier disagreed with White’s stance on Pereira’s GOAT case.

“Alex just asked me that directly, and he’s big now, so it’s like, that’s a hard question to answer in front of him when he’s that big [LAUGHS]. And I actually told him no, I don’t think he would be the greatest just yet,”

“He would need to defend the championship at heavyweight. He’s defended three times at light heavyweight, fought for that title a lot of times, and I think he needs more work. But I do believe being a three-division champion is one of the greatest accomplishments – but to put him over Georges St-Pierre or Khabib Nurmagomedov? I don’t think quite yet.

“Jon Jones, you know how I feel about that, so…”

If Pereira defeats Gane and undisputed heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall this year, the GOAT debate will become more intriguing. But for now, Cormier believes we should pump the brakes on prematurely crowning Pereira.

What is your prediction for Alex Pereira vs. Ciryl Gane? Let us know in the comments!