The Herd with Colin Cowherd

Daniel Cormier TV - DC CALLS FOR Ilia Topuria vs. Arman Tsarukyan NEXT, DEFENDS Topuria

Aug 2, 2025
Daniel Cormier dives into the heated debate over the next contender for champion Ilia Topuria, spotlighting Arman Tsarukyan as the prime candidate. He defends Topuria's choice to hesitate against certain matchups and discusses the implications for the UFC landscape. The potential clash between Topuria and Islam Makhachev also surfaces, proposed as one of the most significant fights on the horizon. Plus, there's a sneak peek into exciting betting promos and personal anecdotes that add depth to the fight dynamics.
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INSIGHT

Fear Isn't Main Reason to Avoid Fights

  • Fighters not fighting others isn't always due to fear, but valid reasons such as past experiences and strategic choices.
  • Daniel Cormier argues "fear" is often misapplied to explain fight avoidance in MMA.
INSIGHT

Topuria's Reservation from Past Experience

  • Ilia Topuria likely avoids Arman Tsarukyan due to recent bad experience around late-notice opponent changes.
  • But there's higher incentive to fight Islam Makhachev later as a bigger career opportunity and payday.
ADVICE

Champions Should Balance Fights Strategically

  • Champions should weigh options cautiously and defend the belt responsibly, factoring future opportunities and risks.
  • Fighters should embrace both mandatory contenders and bigger fights to maximize career growth and fan interest.
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