“This Is Not Just for Jon Jones…”: Daniel Cormier Still Counts PEDs to Anderson Silva’s Legacy Despite UFC Hall of Induction News

Brazilian MMA ace Anderson Silva recently got inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame. This was announced during the UFC 286 weekend in London. Many fans and MMA fighters paid their respects to one of the greatest fighters of all time. Moreover, fellow Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier shed his thoughts on Silva’s induction.

Anderson Silva amassed an MMA record of 34 wins, 11 losses, and 1-no-contest in an MMA career that lasted for 23 years. Moreover, he holds the record for the longest title reign in the UFC. He received his rightful spot among the very best to step inside the octagon. However, he had a few drug test failures in his name. Daniel Cormier addressed this issue in a recent episode of ESPN’s ‘DC & RC’ show.

Daniel Cormier claims that Anderson Silva deserves the UFC Hall of Fame spot despite his history with steroids

DC mentioned how watching HOF inductees Anderson Silva and Jose Aldo made him admire their skills. He said, “When I watch that [Silva fighting] and I watch Jose Aldo, I always find myself going ‘Man, he was good’. It just takes you back to like ‘This dude was really good.” 

He then talks about people considering ‘The Spider’ as one of the greatest fighters ever. But then Cormier also mentions how his steroid use will always be remembered, including Jon Jones‘s drug test failures. DC said, “He [Anderson Silva] definitely considered one of the greatest of all time. But you already know, my thoughts on any time something’s attached to your name, it is what it is. This is not just for Jon Jones. This is for Anderson Silva and anyone else that had those things [steroid and PED use] attached to their names.” 

DC claims ‘The Spider’ should have been the first fighter to go into the HOF

However, he still respects Silva as a fighter. DC added, “With that being said, I will never take away from these guys how fantastic they are. So to see Anderson finally get his place amongst the greats..” 

Daniel Cormier firmly believes that Anderson Silva should have been the first person to enter the Hall of Fame. “The reality is, if there was ever a guy that should go to the Hall of Fame, Anderson probably should have been first. Anderson probably should have been the very first guy going into the Hall of Fame. He’s that good,” said Cormier.

The former UFC two-division champion reiterated the vital role Anderson Silva played in putting UFC on the map. He said, “He [Silva] was so important to the UFC and to the growth of the UFC.” 

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Anderson Silva was nowhere to be found during his Hall of Fame induction announcement. UFC president Dana White mentioned that he wasn’t there due to some undisclosed reasons. The 53-year-old promoter even had beef with Silva earlier. But the UFC went ahead with their decision to induct him and recognize his contributions to the promotion.

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