Morning Report: Daniel Cormier says Ilia Topuria has set himself up for Conor McGregor-like ascent

Ilia Topuria believes he is already the best featherweight on the planet.

Belief will no longer be needed if UFC 298 goes the Spaniard’s way next Saturday night at UFC 298. Taking on longtime champion Alexander Volkanovski in the Anaheim, Calif. main event, Topuria can become the fifth featherweight champion in promotional history as well as the first to represent his country. That’s all the proof one needs to solidify the claims Topuria’s made.

It’s been a perfect run to the title thus far for the 27-year-old, boasting an undefeated 14-0 record. Slowly becoming an international superstar of sorts, Topuria has all the skills in the world to support his confidence. So much so that it’s similar to the all-time famous rise of former divisional champion Conor McGregor, says Daniel Cormier.

“[Topuria’s confidence] reminds me of Conor about to fight Jose Aldo,” Cormier said on his YouTube channel (h/t MiddleEasy). “He told you, and he was so sure that he was going to get it done that you knew that if it happened, he would become a star that we’ve never seen in the UFC before or in fighting. So, when it happened, he went to the moon. I feel like Ilia Topuria is setting himself up to have that type of ascent if he can deliver on all of the promises that he is making.”

McGregor wasn’t undefeated in his career overall before he challenged Aldo for the undisputed 145-pound crown at UFC 194 in December 2015. He had run through his UFC featherweight competition with relative ease, however, as he knocked out all but one of his six opponents that led up to his huge Aldo title fight.

Promotionally, Topuria has taken matters into his own hands outside of the UFC’s power. Whether it’s with cinematic social media hype videos or a literal documentary that he says is currently in production, Topuria is out to manifest destiny. Cormier can’t help but be surprised by the welcoming of such pressure.

“It seems like all [Topuria] wants to do is put pressure on himself,” Cormier said. “This dude has now said he’s releasing a movie on becoming the champion of the world, this dude has updated his [social media] bio with another win and he’s now the UFC featherweight champion. This dude has stated he wants to fight in the same stadium where Real Madrid plays football in Spain. This dude has said to anyone that will listen how Alexander Volkanovski can not compete with him. Most people under these circumstances want to release the pressure. Not this dude.”

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Worry. Chael Sonnen questions whether Robert Whittaker and Paulo Costa will fight at UFC 298

Explainer. ESPN partners with FOX, Warner Bros. on new streaming service: What that means for UFC’s upcoming TV deal

Doubts. Gilbert Burns questions legitimacy of Colby Covington foot injury, if fight is ‘still relevant’

Accident. Thiago Santos reveals ‘mistake’ that led to positive drug test and ended PFL season

Backed. Themba Gorimbo talks The Rock’s career support, believes he’ll be champion in 2024

Clarity. Joe Pyfer lashes out at ‘nerds’ who don’t believe he beat Francis Ngannou’s power punch record

Between the Links.

The Fight That Changed Joe Pyfer’s Life Forever.

Volkanovski vs. Topuria breakdown.

An Aspinall on a tank.

Heck of a Morning. MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck reacts to Dana White’s latest update on Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler.

Just one of those days, we’re going to be fine.

Memories.

There you have it.

Onward.

An absplosion, you could say. Or you couldn’t. Please couldn’t.

Sure, lol.

Drama.

James Gallagher (12-2) vs. Jeremy Kennedy (19-3, 1 NC); Bellator 302; March 22

Bill Algeo (18-7) vs. Kyle Nelson (15-5-1); UFC Atlantic City, March 30

Takayo Hashi (19-8-1) vs. Honoka Shigeta (3-0); Pancrase 341, March 31

Satomi “Sarami” Takano (18-14) vs. Sayako Fujita (8-2); Pancrase 341, March 31

Shizuka Sugiyama (21-7-1) vs. Emiko Raika (13-10-1); Pancrase 341, March 31

It’s going to take someone truly special to ever eclipse or even reach the superstardom of McGregor. The sport is still young though so time will tell, but Topuria doesn’t feel like the guy yet… Especially comparatively. McGregor was already a made star before he ever fought for UFC gold. This isn’t the same thing.

Hate to admit it, but Paddy Pimblett is a closer and better comparison in that specific regard.

Happy Friday, all. Enjoy our annual good old-fashioned big U.S. sports weekend. Thanks for reading!

If you find something you’d like to see in the Morning Report, hit up @DrakeRiggs_ on Twitter and let him know about it. Also, follow MMAFighting on Instagram and like us on Facebook.