Daniel Cormier isn’t buying into the growing hype around the upcoming Netflix MMA event, and he’s made it clear where he stands.
With the UFC officially unveiling its White House card after months of speculation, reactions from fans have been mixed. The six-fight lineup, headlined by Ilia Topuria vs. Justin Gaethje, and co-headlined by Alex Pereira vs. Ciryl Gane for the interim heavyweight title, hasn’t exactly impressed everyone on paper.
At the same time, a new challenger has entered the scene. Netflix is set to host its first-ever MMA event on May 16, headlined by Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano. The card also features big names like Francis Ngannou and Nate Diaz, sparking debates about whether the event could rival the UFC’s historic White House show.
“The third fight is what might have gotten me most excited—Mike Perry and Nate Diaz,” Cormier said on his YouTube channel. “The best fighters are in the UFC, make no mistake about that. But why would that excite me? Because of the names and because you know what it’s going to bring. You can have great matchups on paper, but everything leading up to it can feel a bit lackluster.”
While he acknowledged the star power on the Netflix card, Cormier drew a firm line when comparisons started rolling in.
“Nothing is ever going to be the UFC,” he said. “It just won’t happen. But at least this feels like a real event on a real platform. It gives fighters a chance to earn and gives fans something new to watch. It’s Netflix—one of the biggest platforms in the world.”
“And honestly, competition is a good thing. I’m excited, I really am. But for people comparing it to the White House card—no chance, guys. Come on. The White House card is the best card of the year, for sure. It’s better than that. Let’s just be completely honest.”
The UFC White House event, scheduled for June 14, carries historic weight and a stacked lineup, at least in Cormier’s eyes. Meanwhile, the Netflix card may not match it in depth, but it could still break records simply due to its global reach.
For Daniel Cormier, though, the message is simple—star power alone isn’t enough. When it comes to elite competition, the UFC still sets the standard.
