Daniel Cormier Retiring After A Fight With Brock Lesnar
The two division UFC heavyweight and light heavyweight champion confirm that he will retire once he fights former heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar.
Daniel Cormier won the UFC heavyweight title against Stipe Miocic at the UFC 226 by knocking out Stipe Miocic in the first round to become a two-division champion. After the fight, Cormier said he would fight twice more before retiring and one of those fight being a title fight against Brock Lesnar.
Cormier reiterated those comments to Damon Martin of MMAnytt:
“He’ll be the last one. He’ll be the last fight of my career,” Cormier said about Lesnar. “Will he be next? I don’t know. I hope so but I’ve still got a belt to defend at 205 [pounds] to think about.”
The stage was all set as Cormier called out Brock Lesner following the UFC 226 main event. Brock Lesnar got inside the Octagon and shoved Cormier. Many criticized the post-fight inciting a circus-like scene that was too much like WWE. Cormier responded by saying those critics can “stay broke.”
Many fighters like Alexander Gustafsson, Yoel Romero, Ilir Latifi, and even Anthony Smith have been calling for a light heavyweight title shot against Cormier. The two-division champ has expressed interest in defending his title against Mauricio “Shogun” Rua. “Shogun” will meet Smith on July 22 at UFC Hamburg.
Replying to a question, regarding defending both titles in different weight classes Cormier said it was a concern, but as champion, he had to fulfill his duty no matter the name he fought next:
“It’s going to be difficult but as a professional, you have to approach every fight the same exact way,”
Cormier said about being excited to face a light heavyweight contender first before fighting Lesnar:
“I would prepare myself to win and to defend the title. Any time you’re in a UFC title fight it’s a big deal and for anybody to say they didn’t up for it is crazy.
“You’re a professional. You’re a fighter. You have to get up for these events.”
What do you think Daniel Cormier will stick to his plan?
