After what seemed like an eternity, Daniel Cormier was finally informed that his much-desired Heavyweight title defense against Brock Lesnar wasn’t going to happen, as UFC president Dana White revealed that Lesnar had opted to retire from mixed martial arts (MMA).
While “DC” was obviously a bit upset at the news, he didn’t sit and sulk for too long, as the show simply has to go on.
“It was a little disappointing in the sense that I would have loved to compete against him. It’s a big fight, a big moment and I have always been a guy that does what’s next,” said Cormier on a recent interview on Ariel Helwan’s MMA Show.
A recent report suggests that Lesnar and UFC simply couldn’t coming to terms on an up-front payout since the pay-per-view (PPV) buy system for UFC was recently altered thanks to its deal with ESPN.
While Cormier couldn’t deny or confirm that was the reason Lesnar opted out, he doesn’t think he is completely done fighting, saying that if an expensive carrot is dangled in front of “The Beast Incarnate,” he could be persuaded to return.
“I don’t know. When we get these fights there are a lot of negotiations, a lot of things that need to be discussed and hammered out. I don’t know if Brock was able to come to terms with UFC, I just don’t know,” said Cormier. “I am sure he will bounce back, he always seems to land on his feet. I just got the call that Brock was done fighting and what do I want to do next,” he added.
“I think that Brock is a competitor and I do believe that if the right opportunity presents itself for him he would do it. The guy is a fighter. Everybody kind of shits on Brock Lesnar and talk like this guy can’t fight, but he is a fighter and he is a competitor and he likes money,” said “DC.”
“So for the right amount of money and the right opportunity, I am sure Brock Lesnar could be convinced to come back.”
It seems facing “DC” for the 265-pound title after a two-year long layoff was as good a opportunity Lesnar was going to get. But at the end of the day the money simply wasn’t right for the box office machine.
Perhaps that’s why this other superstar hasn’t been in a hurry to mount his own comeback.
As a result of Brock’s decision to walk away from he fight game, Cormier will now rematch Stipe Miocic at the upcoming UFC 241 pay-per-view (PPV) event on August 17, 2019 in Anaheim, California.