DC: Jones and I are better than Ortiz and Liddell
Daniel Cormier: “Jon jones and I are better than the Chuck Liddells and the Tito Ortizes have ever been.”
The world record for the marathon in 1908 was 2:55:18.4. The women’s record today is 2:15:25. In short, athletes get radically better over time.
Combat sports are a little different. Alexander Karelin hasn’t competed since 2000, and no believes that anyone is better today. Jack Johnson died in 1946, and few believe that the heavyweight division today has improved over his prime.
However, during a recent appearance on FOX Sports’ The Herd, Daniel Cormier argued that he and Jon Jones are better than Tito Ortiz and Chuck Liddell, who retired in this year and in 2010 respectively.
Let’s forget about the old guys, said Cormier, as transcribed by Dan Hiergesell for MMA Mania. The old guys were good, they were great. (But) you’re watching the two best fighters in the light heavyweight division’s history because nobody in the past can beat Jon or I. So you’re watching the two best.
It’s the same with basketball and everything. We’ve got to let go of our childhood and understand that people can be better. And Jon and I are better than the Chuck Liddells and the Tito Ortizes have ever been. We’re more skilled, the game changes. And I watch you every morning make this case for LeBron James. LeBron James is a better basketball player than Michael Jordan.
Cormier is at least half right. Jon Jones is the UFC light heavyweight G.O.A.T. And if DC can beat Jones at UFC 214 on July 29, then he’s the new division G.O.A.T. However, for that to even be a possibility, both fighters have to make it to the Octagon to face each other, something they have struggled with historically.