Morning Report: Daniel Cormier ‘pretty sure’ he will be stripped of the UFC light heavyweight title
When Daniel Cormier knocked out Stipe Miocic at UFC 226 to claim the heavyweight championship, he became only the second man in UFC history to hold titles simultaneously in two different weight classes . The first, Conor McGregor, had a short-lived run as champ-champ, with the UFC stripping him of his featherweight title only two weeks after he won the lightweight belt. Now it appears Cormier is in a similar boat.
Speaking recently with Ariel Helwani of ESPN, Cormier suggested that the UFC is pressuring him to relinquish his light heavyweight title so Jon Jones and Alexander Gustafsson can fight for it later this year.
”I imagine they’re going to take that belt, because I am scheduled to fight Brock Lesnar [at heavyweight],” Cormier said. “I can’t fight at 205 first, so I’m pretty sure that they will take that title.”
Cormier revealed that the UFC originally intended to strip him so a rumored fight between Gustafsson and Yoel Romero could be for the light heavyweight title, but when that bout fell through, the company shifted its focus towards a Jones-Gustafsson title rematch. Cormier also revealed that though he had previously said he was wanted to defend his 205-pound title again before defending his heavyweight belt against Lesnar, that became impossible due to a broken hand that will keep him out until next year. Instead, Cormier has his eyes fully set ahead on the Lesnar fight and the financial windfall that will accompany it.
”If a fight with Brock Lesnar for the amount of money that brings and the prestige that that brings is your fallback plan, that’s a pretty good one to have,” Cormier said.
But what about after the Lesnar fight? Cormier has steadfastly maintained that he intends to retire from MMA in March, on his 40th birthday. With a fight against Lesnar taking place in January, that doesn’t leave much time for Cormier to get in one final fight. Also, Cormier previously said that he had “moved past” a third fight with Jones. But with the prospect of one final crack that his bitter rival now looming so tantalizingly on the horizon, it appears Cormier can’t help himself and would like to close out his career with a third bout against Jones.
”I can’t turn this off. It’s what makes me uniquely me: my competitiveness and my desire to fight and compete against the best in the world,” Cormier concluded. “And at the bottom of it, no matter how much I talk garbage about this dude, not matter how much I disrespect him, he’s still one of the greatest fighters ever, and I have never not said that.
“He’s a phenomenal talent, he’s a fantastic fighter [and] he’s just a cheater. And ultimately that fault - that he’s a cheater - does not deter me from wanting to compete against him again.”
MUST-READ STORIES
Stay ready. Conor McGregor open to fight replacement if Khabib Nurmagomedov pulls out of UFC 229.
Strips. ‘I fell out of love with the game’: Conor McGregor on being stripped of UFC titles.
Salt. Jon Jones responds to GSP’s PED criticism: ‘I guess brain damage is real.’
Official. Max Holloway vs. Brian Ortega set for UFC 231 in Toronto
Comeback. Alberto Del Rio announces he’s preparing for MMA return with Combate Americas.
Fights. Michelle Waterson on Donald Cerrone-Mike Winkeljohn beef: ‘Families get into fights sometimes.’
VIDEO STEW
The MMA Hour with Gegard Mousasi, Michael McDonald, and Alberto Del Rio.
Embedded.
More Khabib pre-UFC 229.
5 things you might not know about Conor.
Nate still in.
TTTHS.
LISTEN UP
The Co-Main Event. Discussing Bellator 206 and the biggest event of the year, UFC 206.
Jon & Florian. Previewing UFC 229 plus an interview with Tyron Woodley.
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
Salt.
Respect.
Some shirt.
Pretty sure Nate is the most called out fighter other than Conor, actually.
Don’t nobody want none.... pic.twitter.com/wz4VfB85eA
— Nathan Diaz (@NateDiaz209) October 1, 2018
This is a great idea.
Mic the cage up for #UFC229
— Israel Adesanya (@stylebender) October 1, 2018
Call out.
Hey Marlon! Hope all is good! See you out there calling guys out? You conveniently left me out I guess! :) @MMARLONMORAES @Alexdavismma @seanshelby @danawhite @ufc
— John Lineker (@johnlineker) October 1, 2018
So many words from Kenny.
I have no idea what is going on here.
It can be done pic.twitter.com/NNBDAqlEK6
— Jorge Masvidal UFC (@GamebredFighter) October 1, 2018
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Carrington Banks (7-1) vs. Mandel Nallo (6-0); Bellator 207, Oct. 12.
Kristi Lopez (2-0-1) vs. Sarah Click (1-2); Bellator 207, Oct. 12.
Max Holloway (19-3) vs. Brian Ortega (14-0); UFC 231, Dec. 8.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Thanks for reading and see y’all tomorrow!
EXIT POLL
If you find something you’d like to see in the Morning Report, hit up @JedKMeshew on Twitter and let him know about it! Also follow MMAFighting on Instagram, and like us on Facebook!