Daniel Cormier Backs Erin Blanchfield for UFC Bantamweight Title Showdown Against Julianna Peña
In the wake of Amanda Nunes’ retirement and the vacant bantamweight title in the UFC, former UFC champion Daniel Cormier has expressed his enthusiasm for an intriguing matchup between Erin Blanchfield and Julianna Peña. Blanchfield, a rising flyweight contender, has thrown her name into the hat for the opportunity to fight Pena, and Cormier is fully supportive of this matchup.
With her recent impressive submission victories over Molly McCann and former strawweight champion Jessica Andrade, Blanchfield has showcased her skill and potential. Cormier believes that she deserves the title fight at 125 pounds, but due to the division being tied up with Valentina Shevchenko’s rematch against Alexa Grasso, a bantamweight title fight against Pena seems like the ideal path for Blanchfield.
Cormier voiced his excitement for the potential matchup on his ESPN show “DC & RC,” stating, “I tap all the way in on Erin Blanchfield vs. Julianna Peña for the bantamweight championship, 1,000 percent.” His endorsement highlights his confidence in Blanchfield’s abilities and the potential fireworks that could ensue between the two talented fighters.
Meanwhile, Pena, who was initially scheduled to face Nunes before an injury derailed their trilogy fight, has boldly declared herself the greatest female fighter of all time. Cormier sees Blanchfield as the perfect test to validate Pena’s claim and believes that Blanchfield’s skill set poses a significant challenge.
“Julianna Peña recently said she’s the greatest female fighter of all time,” Cormier remarked. “Here you go, prove it. Erin Blanchfield seems really, really good.”
With the bantamweight title up for grabs, the potential clash between Blanchfield and Pena promises to be an exhilarating battle between two talented athletes. While nothing is set in stone at the moment, Cormier’s endorsement and the mounting anticipation from fans may push the UFC to seriously consider this compelling matchup.
Daniel Cormier Reveals His No. 1 Pick for Best UFC Fighter to Never Win Title
Former UFC champion Daniel Cormier recently shared his thoughts on the best fighter to have never won a UFC championship, and his top pick goes to his former opponent, Dan Henderson. While Henderson achieved titles in other major promotions, including being the PRIDE middleweight and light heavyweight champion, he fell short in his three attempts to capture UFC gold.
Henderson’s back-to-back title shots against Quentin Jackson at light heavyweight and Anderson Silva at middleweight were highly anticipated, but he couldn’t secure the victory in either bout. The final opportunity for Henderson to claim a UFC title came in his last career fight at UFC 204, where he faced Michael Bisping in a rematch. Despite knocking Bisping down twice, Henderson couldn’t finish him, and Bisping emerged victorious by decision.
During his ESPN show “DC & RC,” Cormier expressed his agreement with Henderson as the best fighter to never win a UFC championship. He praised Henderson’s achievements as the PRIDE champion and acknowledged his valiant efforts in challenging for the UFC title. Cormier also highlighted Henderson’s close split decision loss to Bisping, a fight many believed Henderson had won.
“At No. 1, I agree with you with Dan Henderson. PRIDE middleweight, light heavyweight champion. Also fought for the belt at the UFC, 0-3 there. Also fought Michael Bisping at an advanced age and lost a split decision in a fight that a lot of people thought that he won.”
Cormier’s list of top fighters to never win a UFC title includes Alexander Gustafsson, a former three-time light heavyweight title challenger known for his close battles against Cormier and Jon Jones. Also on the list is Gray Maynard, a former two-time lightweight title challenger, Tony Ferguson, a former interim lightweight champion, and Urijah Faber, a former WEC featherweight champion and four-time UFC bantamweight title challenger.
These fighters have left a lasting impact on the sport, showcasing their skills and determination despite falling short of capturing UFC gold. While they may not have secured the coveted championship belts, their legacies as elite competitors in the Octagon remain intact.
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