Daniel Cormier questioned the status of Magomed Ankalaev

“Honestly, if I were Glover, I would have done the same,” MMA Fighting quotes the American. “When I fought and was champion, they asked me if I would fight Derrick Lewis on three weeks notice. Knowing the opponent, I said, of course. But I wouldn’t fight Stipe Miocic on three weeks’ notice because it’s different. When I had to fight Rumble Johnson for the vacant title, God rest his soul, I agreed. When they offered me a fight with Dan Henderson in four or five weeks, and I was not even in the camp, I agreed, because in these fights everything was clear to me.

According to Corme, an important factor in this situation is the lack of media coverage of Ankalaev, who, according to the ex-UFC champion, is not among the unconditional contenders for the title.

“I can’t help but agree with Glover. There are too many unknowns in his situation with Ankalaev. Magomed is not well known to the general public, and is not universally recognized as an unconditional contender. He hasn’t been in the game long enough to stand on the other side of the octagon from the people who stand up to make you recognizable. The loudest name Ankalaev has met is Anthony Smith. I have nothing against Anthony, but it’s not the same as sharing the octagon with Dan Henderson, Josh Barnett, Bigfoot Silva, Frank Mir – I beat all these guys before getting a championship fight. You need those kinds of opponents to get you to a certain level, and I don’t think Glover sees him that way.”

Recall that the vacant UFC light heavyweight championship belt will be contested in a duel between Magomed Ankalaev and Jan Blachowicz, who will headline the UFC 282 tournament in Las Vegas on December 10.