Daniel Cormier recently said he plans to “complete the journey” at UFC 200. Will the UFC light heavyweight champion retire after his upcoming rematch with Jon Jones?
UFC light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier takes on bitter rival and interim champ Jon Jones in the main event of UFC 200. Cormier and Jones’ rivalry dates back to late 2014, when they brawled at a media event prior to their scheduled bout at UFC 178. Bones, who was the titleholder at the time, was forced out of the contest with an injury and their fight was re-booked for January 2015’s UFC 182. Jones defeated DC by decision, but was stripped of his title later that year due to legal troubles. Cormier went on to capture UFC gold with a submission win over Anthony Johnson last May.
Cormier and Jones were set to rematch last month at UFC 197, but Cormier was the one who fell out of the bout with an injury this time. Jones captured the interim belt with a decision over Ovince Saint Preux and shortly after, the highly anticipated rematch between Cormier and Jones was scheduled for UFC 200.
Cormier’s retirement plans have always been a hot topic among the MMA community, because he’s 37-years old. At that age, most fighters are past their primes and contemplating retirement, but DC appears to be the best he’s ever been right now. Although nothing is set in stone, Cormier recently hinted at retirement following UFC 200 in an Instagram post.
“Sometime in life you are lucky enough to meet a person that is just good all the way to the core. It’s this guy. We have been thru so much. This pic was taken in 2011 in Chicago and my biggest dream was to be @strikeforce champion. Well @crazybobcook we have come a long way buddy. July 9th we complete the journey. Thanks for being a great manager, coach, friend and now business partner. From strike force to xmma to king of the cage to the @ufc it’s been a fun ride. Thanks for guiding me the whole time. DC,” he wrote.
So, you decide for yourself. Will Cormier step away from the sport after his rematch with Jones, win or lose?