Daniel Cormier has a message for UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic.
After the two fighters split a pair of title bouts in 2018 and 2019, UFC president Dana White said they were on a collision course for a trilogy as soon as Miocic was healthy again.
The Cleveland, Ohio native suffered damage to his retina due to accidental eye pokes sustained in the second fight before he staged a comeback to finish Cormier in the fourth round to reclaim the heavyweight title.
Earlier this week, Miocic revealed that he had finally been cleared to return to action but he was taking his time before booking his next title defense. Miocic’s manager Jim Walter then added that the reigning champion was looking to return “against an opponent that Stipe has not beaten before” which was an obvious remark aimed at the Cormier trilogy.
On Saturday night while working as part of the broadcast team at the UFC Fight Night card in Raleigh, N.C., Cormier responded while reminding Miocic that he was also granted a rematch after losing to him the first time around.
Cormier finished Miocic by knockout at 4:33 into the first round when they initially met before the rematch was held 13 months later.
“I mean Stipe and I are going to fight next. That’s exactly what’s supposed to happen. It’s what’s gonna happen,” Cormier said. “I know they’re saying they want something new — well hell, I wanted something new after I beat him and I gave him a rematch.
“So it’s only right to do the right thing. You’re honorable, right Stipe? You’re a fireman, you save lives. You do the right thing all the time, right? Do the right thing and give me my rematch.”
The comments from Miocic’s camp could be seen as posturing for a bigger deal from the UFC in order to book the third fight with Cormier. It could also mean Miocic isn’t interested in facing Cormier again after the inadvertent eye pokes caused serious damage in the aftermath of the rematch.
Whatever the reason, Miocic’s camp is obviously hinting at other options aside from Cormier but the former two-division UFC champion in steadfast in his request that the trilogy happen as soon as possible.
Source: MMAfighting.com
