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Mathew Scott

It speaks volumes about Daniel Cormier’s stature that he can talk about himself in the same breath as some of the greatest names the world of sport has ever seen.
The NBA’s Michael Jordan. The NFL’s Peyton Manning.
Winning back the UFC heavyweight title on Saturday at UFC 252 in Las Vegas would put Cormier “in that kind of sphere,” he said on Thursday night, during the pre-fight press conference.
“With some of the greatest athletes that have ever completed across any sport. When I win on Saturday I will retire in that way,” Cormier said.


It was a simple statement, it was matter of fact, and no one batted an eye lid in disbelief because it’s also 100 per cent true.
The 41-year-old from Louisiana (22-1, one no contest) steps into the Octagon for what he says will be the last time, looking to wrest the heavyweight title back from Stipe Miocic (19-3) in what promises to be another classic. Lifetime the record between the two Americans stands at 1-1 and there’s been much talk in the lead-up about the fight deciding who is the heavyweight division’s “GOAT” (greatest of all time).
Sorry, Dana – Fedor heavyweight ‘GOAT’ whatever happens at UFC 252
That’s for history to decide but for the moment let’s look at what the fight means to Cormier, personally, coming at the end of a storied career in combat sports, from his early days as a stand-out wrestler and beyond. In MMA he’s fought the very best in the UFC’s heavyweight and light heavyweight divisions, a double-belt champion universally loved by fighters and fans, with a backstory – and a lifestyle – that continues to inspire across generations.
And Friday’s pre-fight press conference offered more evidence of what makes the man tick, and so popular. First was the candid way he addressed the weaknesses exposed by Miocic the last time these two guys met, and Cormier was overpowered via TKO in the fourth after a relentless barrage from both fighters.
“I got tired,” said Cormier, who was coming off a back injury. “He won the fight, he took the dames and he did what he had to do. But I feel much better than I did last year.”

That aforementioned evidence was also there in the way the fire was lit when Cormier was asked to address the thought that, should he lose to the 37-year-old Miocic, he would be walking away from the sport knowing he would be on the losing end of the two rivalries that will come to define his career.
And so loomed the spectre of lightweight champ Jon “Bones” Jones (26-1, one no contest) and the wars the pair have waged. That record stands at 1-0 to Jones, with one no contest after Jones had knocked Cormier out, but failed a drugs test. Suddenly Cormier was leaning forward into the microphone, fully animated.
“I’m a guy with a big ego and that would suck,” he said. “I gotta be honest. To think there would be two guys in my career that were just better than me and I had multiple chances to beat them and I just didn’t get it done. But I earned these opportunities. Ten titles fights in a row. I train and I fight and I win. All this is earned. People need to recognise that.”

And that’s the thing with Cormier.
Deep down there is a fighter of almost unmatched intensity – and this guy is only let loose inside the cage and the gym. But that figure is often overshadowed by the affable dude we see in the UFC commentary booth, or we hear about coaching wrestling to high school kids in his spare time.
So underestimate the man, at your peril. As Miocic found the first time these guys met, at UFC 226 when Cormier came out throwing and landed the sweetest of right hooks to knock Miocic out and to capture the heavyweight crown.

“That was the highlight of my career,” Cormier said. “In a lifetime of accomplishments, that can only be topped [by winning on Saturday night].”
Opponents throughout Cormier’s wrestling career made the same mistake as Miocic. In MMA it was always much the same.
Cormier’s past was marked by the tragedy that was his father’s murder, and a childhood of struggles. His rise – and rise – stands as testimony to his sheer strength of will as much as the talent he was born with, and has nurtured along the way.

When he enters the Octagon this weekend it will be for his 10th straight world title fight – astonishing in itself, regardless of the outcome. And the moment won’t be lost on Cormier. Not for a second.
“This thing is going to be viewed my millions of people,” said Cormier. “It’s the heavyweights. It’s for the baddest man on the planet. It’s all about moments. Those things are important. But this moment I believe will be bigger than all of them.”


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Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC)

Daniel Cormier says a UFC 252 win puts him in same sphere as Michael Jordan, Peyton Manning

Stipe Miocic and Daniel Cormier face off during the UFC 252 press conference at the UFC Apex on August 13, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

FILE - In this July 7, 2018, file photo, Daniel Cormier celebrates after defeating Stipe Miocic in a heavyweight title mixed martial arts bout at UFC 226 in Las Vegas. Cormier always told his wife he wouldn't fight past 40, even when the UFC heavyweight champion knew he could still beat everybody. Cormier extended his self-imposed deadline a bit for a rematch with Stipe Miocic at UFC 241 on Saturday, Aug. 17, 2019, but he still isn't sure how he'll replace the thrill of competition after he finally walks away. (AP Photo/John Locher, File)

ANAHEIM, CA - JULY 29: Daniel Cormier reacts to losing to Jon Jones in the Light Heavyweight title bout during UFC 214 at Honda Center on July 29, 2017 in Anaheim, California. Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 17: Stipe Miocic celebrates his win over Daniel Cormier after their UFC Heavyweight Title Bout at UFC 241 at Honda Center on August 17, 2019 in Anaheim, California. Joe Scarnici/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 03: Daniel Cormier of the United States celebrates his victory over Derrick Lewis of the United States in their heavyweight title bout during the UFC 230 event at Madison Square Garden on November 3, 2018 in New York City. Steven Ryan/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

UFC 252: Daniel Cormier wants to punch Stipe Miocic in the face, not just wrestle him

Stipe Miocic and Daniel Cormier face off during the UFC 252 press conference at the UFC Apex on August 13, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo: Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 17: Stipe Miocic and Daniel Cormier fight from the floor in the first round during their UFC Heavyweight Title Bout at UFC 241 at Honda Center on August 17, 2019 in Anaheim, California. Joe Scarnici/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

Sorry, Dana White – Fedor Emelianenko is the heavyweight ‘GOAT’ whatever happens at UFC 252

Fedor Emelianenko (left) poses with Donald Trump (right) at an Affliction: Banned event at the Honda Center on July 19, 2008 in Anaheim, California. Photo: Tiffany Rose/WireImage

Fedor Emelienenko (right) at the face-off.

Fedor Emelienenko in action.

Fedor Emelienenko at a Rizin press conference.

UFC: Dana White laughs off Fedor claim to heavyweight GOAT – ‘no debate’ Miocic-Cormier winner is greatest

Stipe Miocic kicks Daniel Cormier during their heavyweight title bout at UFC 226 on July 7, 2018, in Las Vegas. Photo: AP

Paige VanZant signs with Bare Knuckle FC to banish ‘the stigma in MMA that I’m just a pretty face’

Paige VanZant signs her new Bare Knuckle FC deal. Photo: Instagram

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - JULY 10: Paige VanZant poses on the scale during the UFC 251 official weigh-in inside Flash Forum at UFC Fight Island on July 10, 2020 on Yas Island Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)

ONE Championship’s Marcus Buchecha learning from ‘greatest’ Daniel Cormier as he moves into MMA

Daniel Cormier with Marcus Buchecha at AKA in San Jose. Photos: Brian Vega/@iamthebay

Marcus Buchecha and Daniel Cormier receive coaching at AKA. Photo: Brian Vega/@iamthebay

Sport

Martial Arts

Mixed Martial Arts

Winning back heavyweight title from Stipe Miocic would rank him ‘with some of the greatest athletes that have ever competed across any sport,’ says Cormier
‘When I win on Saturday, I will retire in that way,’ adds the former champ, who looks to ride off into sunset


Daniel Cormier thinks winning back the UFC heavyweight title from Stipe Miocic would rank him ‘with some of the greatest athletes that have ever competed across any sport’.


Martial arts

Michael Jordan