Cormier: I should be in GOAT conversation once I beat Jones

On Saturday night, Daniel Cormier will step into the Octagon with Jon Jones, not only his biggest rival but a fighter who many consider the greatest of all time - Jones included.

While few are favoring the light heavyweight champion to vanquish Jones in their rematch at UFC 214, Cormier believes that if he does defy the odds, it should automatically put him in the conversation with Jones for GOAT honors.

"It's big for my legacy. Every fight is big for my legacy but because he beat me, this one is big for my legacy," Cormier said, according to Damon Martin of mmanty.com. "I've said this time and time again, after this win I don't want to be considered the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the world. I want to be the best fighter to ever step into the Octagon and I don't see why I'm not in the conversation after I beat Jon Jones.

"I should be in the conversation for the greatest of all time once I beat Jon Jones on July 29."

Cormier's lack of popularity among the UFC fan base means he's rarely been given the plaudits he deserves. But the 38-year-old can already claim to be among the best-ever light heavyweights, and if he beats the only man who he's tasted defeat against inside the Octagon, he will solidify his legacy.

However, Cormier understands that even if he does earn the GOAT tag, it's inevitable that he'll be surpassed by the next generation of fighters.

"I think sometimes people misinterpret or put things out the way they want to see it. I don't disrespect Chuck Liddell or 'Shogun' Rua or Wanderlei Silva, the greats that came before us. I just think that with time, the game has evolved and we are now the best two fighters that have ever fought in this division," Cormier said.

"Now, in 20 years there will probably be people that are better than (Jones) and I, that's just the way sports work. No disrespect to anyone that came before but there are going to be people after us that will be better, too."