Javier Mendez says “It’s championship or bust” for Daniel Cormier
Daniel Cormier wants only one thing according to his head coach Javier Mendez.
It is a trilogy fight with current heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic, who Cormier lost the strap to at UFC 241 on Aug. 17, 2019. While on the Luke Thomas Show on SiriusXM, Mendez said what Cormier’s plans are.
They are pretty simple.
“From the last time I talked to him, it’s championship or bust,” Mendez told Thomas after being asked if Cormier would fight the winner of the UFC 249 heavyweight bout between Francis Ngannou and Jairzinho Rozenstruik .
“If Stipe is still the champion, then whoever is the champion, it’s that or bust.”
🔊 @akajav discusses the delay on Cormier vs Stipe 3 and whether DC would take a fight without the title on the line #TLTS 👊 @lthomasnews
⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️ pic.twitter.com/lvgqp1rZVe— MMA on SiriusXM (@MMAonSiriusXM) May 7, 2020
Something to say
Mendez’s comments come after some controversy surrounded the trilogy fight. Cormier recently urged Miocic to sign for a potential trilogy fight in August.
Miocic is currently serving as a firefighter in his home state of Ohio and has obligations due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The champion is unable to train because his gym is currently closed.
Miocic was previously sidelined due to an eye injury from his second title fight with Cormier. UFC President Dana White also told Barstool Sports it is possible for a champion to be stripped of his/her belt if they refuse to fight.
Miocic finally got his say.
“I want to fight DC. It’s going to happen period. I’m going to give my fans what they want to see. My management has been working on dates with UFC. Right now I’m doing what the Governor DeWine is advising and am working as a first responder. I can’t control a global pandemic,” Miocic said via Twitter on Wednesday, May 6. “My head coach can’t open his gym by law right now. I don’t hold myself higher than any other person in regards to what I’m allowed to do. Ohio is under orders until May 29th. The second the gym can open, we begin camp. Plain and simple. I have never ducked anyone.”
My head coach can’t open his gym by law right now. I don’t hold myself higher than any other person in regards to what I’m allowed to do. Ohio is under orders until May 29th. The second the gym can open, we begin camp. Plain and simple. I have never ducked anyone.
— Stipe Miocic (@stipemiocic) May 6, 2020
I’ve never turned down a fight, and I never will. Strap #6 coming soon 🐐 #SM
— Stipe Miocic (@stipemiocic) May 6, 2020
The two first clashed at UFC 226 on July 7, 2018. Cormier took the strap from Miocic with a first-round TKO victory. Both fighters have not been active since their second clash back in August 2019.
It’s still unclear if and when the two will meet again. One thing is for sure though, Cormier wants a title fight to be his last.
