Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd

Special Episode: The Daniel Cormier Show – DC Reacts to Alex Pereira Vacating Light Heavyweight Title, Jiri vs. Ulberg Fight

Date: March 1, 2026

Episode Overview

In this episode, Daniel Cormier shares his immediate reaction to UFC’s blockbuster announcement: Alex Pereira has vacated his light heavyweight title. Cormier unpacks what this means for the division and speculates on Pereira’s next move—pointing heavily toward a potential historic run at the heavyweight belt. Key speculation surrounds whether Pereira’s next fight could be against MMA legend Jon Jones or top contender Ciryl Gane. The show also covers the implications of Jiri Prochazka vs. Carlos Ulberg fighting for the now-vacant light heavyweight title and the broader landscape of UFC’s upper divisions.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Carlos Ulberg vs. Jiri Prochazka Announced for Vacant Light Heavyweight Title

• [02:54] Cormier opens by setting the scene: Dana White’s recent fight announcements, notably the title clash between Carlos Ulberg and Jiri Prochazka.
• He notes, “Carlos Ulberg has been on an absolute tear. This is the type of fight Miami deserves. Every year Miami gets fantastic fight cards and this one lives up to it.”
• Cormier’s immediate question: If Alex Pereira isn’t fighting—why not?

2. The Mystery of Pereira’s Sudden Move

• [04:00] Cormier shares his confusion, saying, “I love the fight, but immediately all I can think about is: how are they fighting for the light heavyweight title when…wait, Alex is the champ?”
• [05:15] He remarks on Pereira’s recent weight: “I see Alex Pereira on the scale the other day—he weighs 245 pounds. And I'm like, well, what did they give him? What are they promising him, right, to make him say, ‘giving up the belt, I'm doing something different?’”

3. Clues Pointing Towards a Jump to Heavyweight

• [06:00] Cormier breaks down classic UFC scenarios: “When someone’s chasing another belt, they don’t get to keep their belt…that tells me Alex Pereira must be going up, right?”
• He brings up precedents: Ilia Topuria and Islam Makhachev gave up belts before moving up.
• “Is this officially Alex Pereira going up to heavyweight? Is this officially Alex Pereira throwing his name in the hat?”
• He notes Jon Jones’s return to the USADA pool and Tom Aspinall’s injury, lining up all the “facts.”

4. Speculation: Jon Jones vs. Alex Pereira Superfight?

• [07:45] “Could we get that fight we've all been asking for? Could we get Jon Jones versus Alex Pereira?”
• Cormier admits, “I thought the best fight between the two would be Pereira versus Jones at 205, but I think what we're seeing is…”
• “Pereira is just a guy that’s gonna do anything…just a dog…he wants to fight the best and he’ll fight the best at any weight class. It’s really amazing to watch an old school road warrior like that in today’s mixed martial arts.”
• He pauses, qualifying: “Maybe I’m selling you a dream. Maybe it’s not Jon Jones. But who is it?”

5. Backup Plan: Who If Not Jones?

• [09:10] Cormier ponders if the matchup could be against Ciryl Gane.
• “Is it Ciryl Gane? Because to me, I don’t think it matters who he’s fighting. I think what matters to me is that Alex Pereira has given up that belt and it seems like he’s going to fight at heavyweight.”
• He underlines the historic stakes: “We haven’t had a guy hold a belt in three weight classes. Pereira is saying right now, I have that opportunity…or at least it seems that way.”

6. On the Logic Behind Vacating the Belt

• [10:38] Cormier gives a fighter’s perspective:
  • “If I was told, vacate your belt, I would want an absolute guarantee that I would be pursuing another belt, right? They always say: a bird in the hand…you don’t give the one in the hand up to go and just fight.”
• His conclusion: “If he vacated that title, guys, I’m telling you, I believe that he’s gonna fight for the world title. Big news is happening and we’re just like—they gave us a little bit, got me excited. But give me the rest.”

7. Tom Aspinall’s Injury and Division Uncertainty

• [12:00] Cormier questions the depth of Tom Aspinall’s injury:
  • “How bad is Tom Aspinall hurt, really? He must be hurt really, really bad, because if I’m the heavyweight champion, I’m seeing all this going on, I’m, like, antsy and like, yo, I wanna fight, I’m the champ. You know, I’m the champ.”

8. The Magnitude of Pereira’s Story

• [13:00] Cormier reflects on Pereira’s unexpected legacy:
  • “What if Pereira wins and you have been a champion in three weight classes? That is crazy.”
  • “This was only supposed to be the guy that was getting his first title fight because he had fought Izzy before. This was not supposed to be. This is a crazy story. The Alex Pereira story.”

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On Speculating Pereira’s Next Move [07:45]:

  “Could we get that fight we’ve all been asking for? Could we get Jon Jones versus Alex Pereira?”
  — Daniel Cormier

• On Pereira’s Mentality [08:35]:

  “Alex Pereira is one of those guys that says: show me the weight, I’ll show up and I’ll give you a fight.”
  — Daniel Cormier

• On Belt Logic [10:38]:

  “If I was told, vacate your belt, I would want an absolute guarantee that I would be pursuing another belt, right? They always say a bird in the hand…you don’t give the one in the hand up to go and just fight.”
  — Daniel Cormier

• On the Historic Stakes [13:00]:

  “What if Pereira wins and you have been a champion in three weight classes? That is crazy…This is a crazy story. The Alex Pereira story.”
  — Daniel Cormier

Important Timestamps

• [02:54] Cormier sets up the episode and reactions to new fight announcements.
• [04:00] First questions about the logic of the new title fight with Pereira as (former) champ.
• [06:00] Breakdown of other champions vacating belts as precedent for Pereira’s move.
• [07:45] Speculation begins: Jon Jones vs. Alex Pereira?
• [08:35] Praising Pereira’s “road warrior” mentality.
• [09:10] Speculation shifts: Could it be Ciryl Gane?
• [10:38] Reasoning behind vacating the belt—a champion’s take.
• [12:00] Musings on Tom Aspinall’s injury and its division impact.
• [13:00] Reflections on the improbable career arc of Alex Pereira.

Episode Tone and Style

Daniel Cormier’s language is conversational, energetic, and rooted in his perspective as a former champion. He uses repetition (“if he’s fighting at heavyweight, if he’s fighting at heavyweight…”) for emphasis, and invites speculation and direct engagement with fans (“Let me know who you think is going to be. Is it going to be Jones, or is it going to be Gane?”).

Final Thoughts

This episode is a must-listen for MMA fans hungry for analysis and insider logic about UFC matchmaking. Cormier skillfully connects the dots between recent headlines, fighter motivations, and the business of championship belt changes—leaving listeners excited and curious for UFC’s next big heavyweight announcement.