Daniel Cormier plans to address significant challenges in American MMA by sharing his knowledge and experience. The UFC’s global appeal stems from its diverse roster, but historically, American fighters have predominantly held the spotlight, a trend that is now shifting. As the UFC White House event approaches on June 14, Cormier has expressed his worries about the current condition of MMA in the United States.
Cormier Worried About Lack of American Champions
On June 14, Premier Promotions will honor American history with an event on the White House lawn. A major issue facing the sport now is that only two American champions currently represent the country: Kayla Harrison and Mackenzie Dern. Although Justin Gaethje recently captured the interim lightweight title, he must overcome Ilya Topuria to become the undisputed champion and carry the American flag for men’s MMA.
This uneasy period extends particularly to the heavyweight division—the most popular weight class in UFC history—where American presence is notably absent. Cormier praised rising talents like Tom Aspinall and highlighted the fierce competition Cyrill Gane demonstrated recently. He also acknowledged that Jon Jones remains a looming force in the division, emphasizing that heavyweight fights consistently generate excitement.
Discussing more urgent concerns, Cormier highlighted the decline of top American fighters across all weight classes. “There are no Americans in the top 10 heavyweights, nor are there any in the pound-for-pound top 10,” he explained. Currently, Gaethje holds the interim belt as the lone male American champion, but Cormier is determined to change this by focusing on cultivating wrestling talent. Drawing from his own wrestling background at Gilroy High School in California, the former champ aims to mentor up-and-coming fighters and rebuild American dominance.
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Search for an Exciting Heavyweight Contender in the UFC
While Gaethje is the most likely American to claim a men’s title soon, many fans doubt his chances against “El Matador.” In fact, some believe the country’s next true champion could come from outside the current UFC roster. Gable Stevenson, undefeated at 2-0 on the pro circuit and backed by coaching legend Jon Jones, is rapidly making waves in regional MMA. At just 25, Stevenson appears poised for a swift rise toward a UFC championship.
Fan Take: This news is critical for fight fans because it highlights a turning point in American MMA—one of its traditional powerhouses facing a lull. If Cormier’s efforts to develop new talent bear fruit, we could see the rebirth of American dominance in UFC and a new generation of stars igniting the sport’s future.
