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Daniel Cormier will be implementing a wrestling-heavy gameplan in his proposed trilogy bout with Stipe Miocic.
Don’t expect another back-and-forth slugfest between UFC heavyweights Daniel Cormier and Stipe Miocic, as ‘DC’ will be looking to implement a completely different gameplan in their proposed trilogy bout later this year.
Speaking to Kerry McCoy of USA Wrestling in a recent interview Cormier, a former Olympian, promised to ‘get back to wrestling’ and do whatever it takes to win the rematch.
“I’ve got to get back to wrestling,” Cormier said (transcribed by MMA Fighting’s Damon Martin). “I’ve got to get back to guys like you Kerry, who are actually going to be able to tell me that ain’t enough. I have Bob [Cook] and my coaches do but I need to have that. Like Jamill [Kelly], when I was making 205 [pounds], Jamill would come and do the weight cuts with me. It wasn’t enough, he’d say that ain’t enough. Shawn Bunch does my weight cuts with me and if he thinks ‘DC, you gotta get back in there a little bit before we go home, you’ve got to do that.’”
Cormier reaffirmed his desire to retire on top with the UFC heavyweight title around his waist, but the 41-year-old admits it will be difficult to put the sport behind him for good.
“I’m going to fight Stipe Miocic one last time and then I’m going to be done with this whole thing,” Cormier said. “I love this sport. I’m a competitive guy. Getting away from competition is going to be tough but I know that to win the heavyweight championship again is the right way to go out. Stipe and I have a fantastic trilogy. He’s a wrestler himself. Very respectful guy. Firefighter. Tough guy. But I need to be the champion as I’m done with this thing.”
Cormier is tied 1-1 with Miocic, having KO’d the part-time firefighter to win the heavyweight title back in 2018 but losing via fourth-round TKO in the blockbuster rematch at UFC 241.
Expect an official fight announcement in the coming weeks.