Cormier: "I had no respect for the little guys before Aldo came to the UFC"

Former UFC featherweight champion Daniel Cormier revealed when he realized former featherweight division leader Jose Aldo was a star in the promotion.

"Before Aldo came in, I had no respect for the little guys. The moment I truly realized this guy was a star came during his fight with Chad Mendes. When Chad was on his back, wrapped his arms around his waist, whereupon Jose turned around, blew a knee, and then jumped across the octagon and threw himself into the crowd in Rio holding a flag.

I thought to myself: "Wow, if I had that, just one moment to feel what this guy is feeling right now, my whole athletic career would be over." Just one moment to feel what he felt, watching his joy, his excitement and the way he inspired the country and the city. I wanted that once, brother," Cormier was quoted as saying by BJ Penn.

As a reminder, Aldo will fight Jonathan Martinez on the night of May 5 at UFC 301 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.