Former UFC heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier offered his opinion on the greatest heavyweight fighter in MMA history.

Following a trilogy defeat to Stipe Miocic at UFC 252, Cormier retired from the Ultimate Fighting Championship in 2020. With ease, he made the switch from fighter to analyst, presenting several shows and serving as one of the main colour commentators for UFC.

Despite two defeats against Miocic, Cormier is still considered one of the greatest heavyweights of all time. In addition to him, there are other fighters, including Fedor Emelianenko, who retired last weekend following a defeat at Bellator 290.

Emelianenko is considered by many fans and experts to be the greatest heavyweight of all time, if not at the top of the list.

In a recent episode of DC&RC, Cormier cited Miocic as his all-time favourite heavyweight.

“I don’t believe (Fedor’s) the greatest heavyweight of all time,” Cormier said. “I think that belongs to Stipe Miocic, but only because Cain Velasquez was injured so much. I think in terms of skill, there’s no one that ever matched Cain Velasquez at heavyweight.

“But I believe that Stipe Miocic’s title defenses and the long reign that he had at the top of the division puts him atop. But Fedor is in the top five, and I don’t think that’s anything to be ashamed of.”

At one point in his career, Emelianenko had won 27 straight matches. He rose through the ranks of Pride before going on to capture titles in Strikeforce and Bellator, among others.

At UFC 198, Miocic won the championship after defeating Fabricio Werdum. Before losing to Cormier at UFC 226 he went on to defend it against Alistair Overeem, Junior dos Santos, and Francis Ngannou.