UFC 300: Daniel Cormier Wants Major Attraction For Historic Event: 'You Need Something A Little More Than Just Title Fights'

UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier believes UFC 300 needs some extra juice from mainstream stars.

On April 13, the UFC will hold what is supposed to be their biggest event of 2024. Well-known journalist Ariel Helwani recently sparked debate over whether or not it was a mistake for the UFC to hold off on booking Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler for the show in an effort to score big PPV numbers for two events.

What has some fights concerned about UFC 300 is that many of the huge names such as Brock Lesnar and Ronda Rousey appear to be off the table unless something is being discussed behind closed doors.

Daniel Cormier talked about UFC 300 needing more star power during a recent episode of ESPN's "DC & RC" show.

"Leon Edwards is available, but as much as we love 'Rocky,' does 'Rocky's' name resonate enough for him to headline UFC 300? I mean UFC 200 was headlined by Amanda Nunes and Miesha Tate, granted I fought Anderson Silva on there, Jose Aldo fought Frankie Edgar, and Brock Lesnar fought. So, while they were the headline, Brock Lesnar headlined that fight card even from the co-main event. It was supposed to be me and [Jon] Jones but then Jones obviously fell out, but does Leon Edwards-Belal Muhammad move the needle enough to even sit atop of the fight card?"

Even for UFC 200, which saw Cormier defeat Anderson Silva after his previously scheduled opponent Jon Jones was removed due to a flagged drug test, "DC" said Brock Lesnar provided that extra spark to make that event feel special.

"We need an an attraction for that fight night," Cormier said. "I remember Brock calling me the night his fight got announced and saying, 'Merry Christmas, DC,' because he knew we were gonna sell a ton of pay-per-views. He was like, 'Merry Christmas to you and your family.' But it's like we need an attraction because the moment Brock was on the card, even though it was me and Jones and we were on Good Morning America and everything else, it needed a little bit more because it's one of those big cards and you need something a little more than just title fights."

Cormier says the problem that UFC 300 is facing is that it appears none of the significant needle-movers are itching to return to the Octagon.

"The event needs to feel bigger than something we see over the course of the year, so I think you gotta bring somebody back. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem like Brock or Ronda or any of those fighters from that generation past is really nipping at the buds of the executives to say that we need to be fighting on that fight card."

"DC's" co-host Ryan Clark said that while he knows hardcore MMA fans wouldn't like it, he feels booking another fight between Israel Adesanya and Alex Pereira might be the UFC's best option if the megastars of the past aren't available.

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