UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier believes that a current UFC champion does not get the shine they deserve.
Many champions have made a name for himself in the UFC Octagon. From the start of the promotion, hunters have done what is needed to earn a UFC title that devote hours to their profession in and out of the cage.
Such a champion is Daniel Cormier, one of just a handful of hunters who earn UFC titles in multiple weight classes. Cormier kept the UFC slightly heavyweight and heavyweight belts at the same time during its Prime and is considered one of the greats of all time.
Despite his praise, Cormier was not fully appreciated until after he had hung the gloves. Cormier believes that a current UFC champion is in a similar, perilous situation and is the most underrated hunter in the history of promotion.
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC
Daniel Cormier Tabs UFC 317 star as the most underrated hunter of sport
In a recent appearance on the poundcast of Pound 4 Pound, Cormier UFC called Flight Weight Champion Alexandre Pantoja as the most undervalued hunter in the history of UFC.
“Simple, Pantoja is the most underrated man in the world, the guy is so good,” said Cormier.
“He fought against Kai Asakura, and I didn't even know who Kai Asakura was! Everyone was like this Japanese guy dresses fun, this guy has swag, and I am like a man, it will be a good fight. Why?! And Pantoja dogs just out.
“Asakura can show the line that he is better, but why should we believe that a man who comes from another organization would be placed straight in a title fight and would beat a man like Pantoja? Pantoja, easy … Pantoja is without a doubt the most underestimated hunter we have in the UFC as champion, [has] Four title defenses. This [was] His fourth defense and it was only two years ago, and he is number 9 on the pound-for-pound ranks. “
Pantoja recently served Kai Kara-France in another dominant performance on UFC 317, just a few weeks ago. During his UFC flying weight line, he defended the belt against Kai Asakura, Brandon Royval and Steve Erceg.
Pantoja and the other top flying weights have helped revive the smallest male division of the UFC. Less than a decade ago, UFC CEO Dana White seriously considered eliminating the UFC Flyweight Division after a series of low-selling pay-per-view cards.
Alexandre Pantoja faced a budding superstar for the next flight weight defending defense
It is expected that Pantoja against Joshua is confronted for his next defending defense, after Van Royval had defeated on the UFC 317 head card in a candidate 'Fight of the Year'. Van's rise in the flying weight ranking is one of the fastest in the UFC history.
Pantoja has excluded a potential bantam weight movement to challenge UFC title holder Merab Dvalishvili for a shot on a second title. But if the UFC opens the door to a potential catch -bmf title, Pantoja is willing to reverse the course on Dvalishhvili.
Pantoja went to number 5 in the last pound-for-pound ranks of the UFC, an increase in four places of his earlier position before UFC 317.
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