Recently, former UFC heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier renewed calls for a trilogy fight with current champion Stipe Miocic. Miocic has been reticent to defend his title during the coronavirus pandemic and Cormier has been getting a little antsy, calling for a bout with Miocic this summer. But unfortunately for Cormier, the heavyweight champion says that is not going to happen.
“I didn’t know he was calling his shots,” Miocic told ESPN in reference to Cormier’s recent comments. “Wow, I can’t really do anything because, again, my state is shut down for another month. Who knows how long after that? They were supposed to open in May and then they said another four weeks. Every gym shut down. I literally can’t train so how am I going to take a fight? I don’t understand what he’s (talking about).
“Listen, I’ll fight him. I never said I’m ducking or leaving or running or trying to fight someone else, like he did. I just can’t train, dude. I’ll fight you. I don’t care. But let me make sure I get a full camp, dude. I’m down.”
Aside from being in the middle of a statewide lockdown, Miocic is also a full-time firefighter, an essential service during this global pandemic. Miocic has been pretty clear that right now, fighting must take a backseat to the more pressing health concerns going on, especially as those concerns severely inhibit his ability to perform at his best. Miocic says. the fall is a more likely timeline for his return and he’s not going to move that up just to satisfy Cormier’s personal timeline.
“It’s not gonna be in August, I can tell you that,” Miocic said. “More like the fall, but who knows if it comes back stronger? I’m down to fight him. I never said I wasn’t. How am I gonna sign a contract when I can’t even train? . . .
“I worked hard to get where I’m at. I’m not gonna sit there and put half my effort into it or get half my training because the dude wants to fight me in August. He just wants to fight me so he can retire. Good for him but I’m not on his schedule.”
But while Cormier’s timeline may not hold much sway over Miocic, UFC President Dana White’s certainly could. Speaking recently with Barstool Sports, White addressed the heavyweight divisions current situation with Miocic on the shelf, saying that if champions don’t want to fight right now, they might not be champions for long.
“I don’t think so,” White said about an interim heavyweight title. “We’ll see a championship fight. Listen, fights can happen right now. You either want to fight or you don’t.”
White then was asked point blank if that means a champion who doesn’t want to fight may be stripped, to which he responded, “Possibly.”
The old show business adage is that “the show must go on” and now it seems that the UFC is getting close to carrying on without their heavyweight champion.
MUST-READ STORIES
Interim. Tony Ferguson rips Khabib Nurmagomedov, declares fight with Justin Gaethje for ‘the real championship’.
Notorious. Dana White: Conor McGregor ‘ready to go,’ hints at ‘Fight Island’ for his return.
Options. Dana White: Jorge Masvidal has ‘options’ for next opponent, responds to reports about Conor McGregor fight.
Short notice. ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone expects to thrive in chaos of short-notice rematch against Anthony Pettis: ‘This is my wheelhouse’.
Nervous. Paul Felder discusses covering Jacksonville events, being ‘nervous’ over COVID-19 test.
VIDEO STEW
Embedded.
Fighters with the most bouts in UFC history.
The rise of Bigi Boi.
Chael responding to Paulo Costa.
Filthy casuals guide to Tony Ferguson.
MixedMollyWhoppery.
LISTEN UP
Eurobash. Interviews with Paul Felder and Fabian Edwards.
UFC Unfiltered. Interviews with Dana White and Michelle Waterson.
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
Cormier on Stipe’s laissez faire attitude towards his haters.
Reporter: you’re getting some criticism for nothing fighting. ( his answer)
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) May 5, 2020
Guys, maybe he doesn’t love you but I’m here for you always, The People’s Champ! pic.twitter.com/8iumNkgNKv
Ouch.
Petr Yan is not having it.
Desperate thing triple coward @HenryCejudo will do just to avoid fighting me ♂️ https://t.co/ErEByFkCRI
— Petr “No Mercy” Yan (@PetrYanUFC) May 5, 2020
Paulo Costa’s new thing with Chael is odd.
The west Oregon undefeated x the Goat https://t.co/eWgQpEWWeQ
— Paulo Costa ( Borrachinha ) (@BorrachinhaMMA) May 6, 2020
Solid work.
Ready for #FightIsland. #UFCFL #ApolloCreed pic.twitter.com/LgvS50tSNx
— Angela Hill (@AngieOverkill) May 6, 2020
The more you know.
Never the case that USADA suspended sample collection during pandemic. Although testing numbers have decreased with “mission critical” directive, we have seen multiple out-of-competition samples collected over last few days and USADA will have a testing presence at FL events.
— Jeff Novitzky (@JeffNovitzkyUFC) May 5, 2020
Extremely socially distant.
“Victory On 3” ♂️ 1. 2.. 3... Victory!!! My Fam Fuerte # MidnightRunInTheBoox -CSO- Hometeam # Gettin’AfterGaethje #UFC249 Jacksonville, FL #CincoDeMayo @ufc pic.twitter.com/1xbLrNUiBz
— Tony Ferguson (@TonyFergusonXT) May 5, 2020
One of their best posters ever.
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Gabriel Benitez (21-7) vs. Omar Morales (9-0); UFC Fight Night, May 13.
Tyron Woodley (19-4-1) vs. Gilbert Burns (18-3); UFC Fight Night, May 23.
Amanda Nunes (19-4) vs. Felicia Spencer (8-1); UFC 250, June 6.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Thanks for reading, stay safe, and see y’all tomorrow.
EXIT POLL
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