UFC heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier isn’t exactly backing away from the idea that his upcoming rematch with Stipe Miocic could be his last bout, but it also sounds like he’s willing to entertain a couple other potential fights. Including a trilogy with Jon Jones.
If Daniel Cormier is ever going to fight Jon Jones again, it sounds like he wants to make sure no one can say he did it the easy way. The former light heavyweight champion, and current heavyweight champ, is getting ready for a rematch with Stipe Miocic this August—who he dethroned a year ago to capture the belt at 265. And while he continues to suggest that he may not fight again after UFC 241, it sounds like his interest in a third fight with Jon Jones is growing.
At a recent UFC press conference, Cormier let fans know that he wouldn’t shy away from a chance to fight Jones again, especially if the UFC can make the money work.
“When I’m done with Stipe and Dana opens up the book and goes this is what you guys are getting paid, then you guys may get a third fight,” Cormier told the assembled fans and media. “But ultimately that’s what’s gonna determine it.”
Jones echoed similar sentiments in an interview with ESPN, telling the outlet that it would “take that checkbook for me to bounce up to heavyweight,” for a fight with Cormier. Fortunately for Dana White, however, that may not be necessary. At least, not when it comes to the Jones side of the equation.
Speaking to TSN in a recent interview, Cormier reiterated the possibility of another bout with ‘Bones’—with the caveat that, were he to take the fight, he’d want to drop back down and do it at light heavyweight, rather than have Jones move up to face him (transcript via MMA Fighting).
“It would have to be at 205 [pounds],” Cormier said. “I’ve overcome odds my whole life. From wrestling to some of the personal things I’ve been to, to going up to fight Stipe Miocic. He goes up to heavyweight and fights me, it’s the first time he’s ever fought at heavyweight. Me going up to heavyweight last year was different. I was 13-0 already there. I don’t want to stack the odds. I’d like to try and go down and win on the playing field that I lost at.”
On the other hand, in the same interview, DC once again talked about his potential retirement from MMA following his bout with Miocic, and about the possibility of taking a fight with Francis Ngannou as a future heavyweight title defense. So, until his bout with Stipe is in the books, it may not be wise for anyone to set their expectations as to what the heavyweight champ will do next.