DANIEL CORMIER has named his top five best fighters of all time… with Khabib Nurmagomedov ahead of Muhammad Ali.
Cormier, 43, has selected his American Kickboxing Academy team-mate Khabib over Ali – but NOT No1 on his list.
Appearing on ESPN’s First Take – DC left Stephen A. Smith in disbelief when he only selected Ali on third.
Justifying his decision, Cormier said: “So hear me out you might disagree with me on this, Muhammad Ali at No3.
“One of the greatest boxers of all-time, what he did transcended the sport. But here is the difference, he was a pillar of our community.
“He did so many things outside of the boxing ring, and I think that is why we elevate him to the greatest boxer of all-time.”
Smith, 55, bellowed in response: “Thrilla in Manila, Rumble in the Jungle, beating Joe Frazier, beating George Foreman are you kidding me?”
Cormier went on: “I get it but I have reserved the top of my list for the undefeated. He was not undefeated.
“At two we put in Khabib Nurmagomedov and he was 29-0.
“The way that he beat Conor McGregor was second to none and he could have defended his belt as many times as he wanted.”
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Ahead of both Ali and Khabib on Cormier’s list is 50-0 boxing royalty Floyd Mayweather.
On his selection, DC added: “And at No1 we have Floyd ‘Money’ Mayweather who is the greatest-boxer of all-time, he is also the greatest promoter.
“He beat Canelo, he beat Manny Pacquiao and Canelo and it doesn’t matter when he beat them, they all got beat.”
DC rounded off his top five with two further UFC legends.
In fourth place is Canadian former two-weight champion Georges St-Pierre.
And rounding off the list is UFC women’s featherweight and bantamweight champion Amanda Nunes.
