Cormier okay with retirement fight in empty arena
Of all the places, an empty arena is where Daniel Cormier expects to fight for the last time.
On the latest episode of “DC and Helwani” on Monday, April 20, Cormier told ESPN reporter Ariel Helwani his retirement fight will take place inside an empty arena. The 41-year-old’s prediction for his final bout with UFC Heavyweight Champion Stipe Miocic comes during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It’s gonna end that way,” Cormier said to Helwani.
“I’ll go fight this guy [Miocic] in that empty arena. I want to fight him, so yeah.”
Daniel Cormier's retirement fight will likely take place in an empty arena and he's okay with that.
(via @dc_mma & @arielhelwani) pic.twitter.com/o24x1BgIHy
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) April 20, 2020
Fighting in front of no fans is not ideal, especially for a trilogy fight between Cormier and Miocic.
Although the two are not slated for UFC 249, this events is a glimpse of what future UFC cards may deal with. MMA Fighting first reported on Tuesday, April 21, the May 9 pay-per-view is scheduled to take place in Florida.
The announcement comes after the bout was originally scheduled for April 18 in Brooklyn, New York. After Brooklyn fell through, the promotion targeted the Tachi Palace Casino Resort in Lemore, California.
California state officials were the first to express concerns to Disney, the parent company of UFC’s broadcast partner ESPN.
Disney asked UFC President Dana White to hold of the event, eventually leading to its cancelation on April 9.
UFC 249 had three homes within the last month, but there is one thing each venue shares in common. All the arenas would be empty.
The trilogy
Cormier took the title from Miocic with a first-round TKO finish at UFC 226 on July 7, 2018. Miocic eventually earned a rematch with Cormier in his next fight. Comier defended his strap against Derrick Lewis between both contests with Miocic at UFC 230 on Nov. 3, 2018.
Miocic regained the title by finishing Cormier via TKO in the fourth round of their rematch UFC 241 on Aug. 17, 2919.
Cormier is not yet slated to fight Miocic for a third time. Serving as a firefighter in Ohio, Miocic is currently responding to the pandemic.
While Miocic deals with life outside the octagon, Cormier is being clear on where he stands regarding the trilogy.
