UFC heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier explains why fighters have a hard time walking away from the sport.
UFC heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier was supposed to retire from professional competition at his 40th birthday last March 2nd. These plans, however, were put on hold, and he is now set to defend his title for the second time in a rematch against former champion Stipe Miocic at UFC 241.
“DC” recently sat down with ESPN’s Brett Okamoto, where explained why it is difficult for fighters to fully turn their backs on the sport, especially for veterans like himself.
“I just want to fight again,” Cormier said. “I knew I wanted to fight at least one more time. I wanted to at least make the walk again. That’s why you see guys hang around way too long, because it’s like a drug. The most addicting drug you could ever have is walking through that curtain.
“I knew I wanted to be done by the time I was 40, but when it didn’t happen, I knew that that walk still had to be made,” he continued. “So, that’s why I’m fighting Stipe.”
UFC 241 will take place on August 17th at the Honda Center in Anaheim. It will be co-headlined by the return of Nate Diaz from a three-year absence, as he faces former lightweight champion Anthony Pettis in a welterweight bout.