Daniel Cormier is considering retirement if the trilogy fight with Stipe Miocic does not happen by summer.
The former simultaneous two-weight champion lost his UFC heavyweight title last August after Stipe Miocic knocked him out in their rematch.
With a potential retirement looming, DC said he wants the trilogy fight with Miocic as his swan song as the rivalry is evened with one win apiece.
According to Miocic’s manager, Jim Walter, the current heavyweight champ is still recovering from eye injuries and suggested that Stipe wants a new opponent for his title-defense once he is 100% healthy.
“Stipe is the ultimate competitor and wants to fight but is unwilling to jeopardize his health,” the MMA manager told ESPN last week.
“After his health is cleared, we hope to have Stipe back in the competition this year in a fight that makes sense and against an opponent that Stipe has not beaten before.”
End Game
The fourth-ranked heavyweight contender, Curtis Blaydes, looms as one of the top options for Miocic if he is looking for a fresh challenge.
Blaydes, who defeated Junior Dos Santos on Saturday, said Miocic needs to choose whether to ‘defend or vacate’ the title if he remains undecided by June or July.
But for Cormier, it could be the end of his MMA career if the third instalment to their rivalry doesn’t happen.
“You can’t wait forever,” Cormier told Ariel Helwani on Monday (via ESPN).
“Every day that passes does not benefit me. I’m a realist, I understand that. Either we’re going to do it or we’re not going to do it.”
“When I fight, it’s going to be for the championship or I’m not going to fight.”
“This is not about money. This is about finishing what we started. Also because I know I can beat him.”
“I don’t really like fighting anyone else. At this point, Stipe has the ability to retire me.”
Not Upsetting
When DC won the heavyweight championship, Miocic would have to wait before earning another shot as Cormier fought Derrick Lewis on his first official title-defence.
Asked if he thinks Miocic is giving him a taste of his own medicine, Cormier said the waiting game doesn’t upset him.
“If they’re playing a game with me, whatever. It’s not even upsetting. It’s almost like it kind of breaks you down.”
“But I have faith in the UFC. I have faith in Dana White. I have faith in all the things him and I have spoken about in regards to the fight. If [Miocic] doesn’t [fight], we’ll see what happens.”
“We’ll see if there’s an opportunity for an interim championship or maybe he would strip him of the title.”
“He’s a guy that’s won one fight in two years.”
“Over the course of those two years he will have fought twice, so it’s not like he’s the most active fighter.”
(Featured Image Source: Instagram/ Daniel Cormier and Stipe Miocic)