At UFC 241, Stipe Miocic will challenge heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier for the title he lost to the champ at UFC 226. It’s been a long time coming for Miocic who, after setting the record for UFC heavyweight title defenses, felt he deserved an immediate rematch. Instead, the UFC opted to try and set up bout between Cormier and former champion Brock Lesnar. But after nearly a year of inactivity on that front, the UFC finally opted to grant Miocic his rematch, to the grudging dismay of Cormier.

Speaking last week, Cormier said that he was disappointed the Brock fight did not come to fruition, and reiterated his contention that Miocic has been acting “entitled” to a rematch, even though he knew the winner of their first fight was going to get to face Brock next. Now Miocic has responded, and he is none too pleased with “DC”.

“I have no idea what he was talking about ‘we had a company conversation,’” Miocic told Ariel Helwani recently. “I definitely wasn’t in that conversation. I had no idea about the Brock thing until literally right before I walked out for the fight so he’s an idiot. I have no idea what he’s talking about. He literally says one thing then he says something else. I don’t even listen anymore. But yeah, whatever. I don’t care. I’m fighting him that’s all I care about.

“He can say what he wants to say, he’ll probably say something tomorrow and… I don’t know. Whatever.”

This is not the first time Cormier has called Miocic “entitled”. Miocic has been lobbying heavily for the rematch, continually calling out Cormier and posting pictures of their fight, showing him punching DC. So in February, Cormier put forth a series of Tweets explaining why he was not rematching Miocic, where he also mentioned Miocic being “entitled” as one of the reasons, along with Miocic’s inactivity since losing. To Miocic, that sounds like hypocrisy.

“If the roles were reversed, he would be doing the same thing,” Miocic said.

“Right now, yeah, [I’m annoyed]. Jesus, one minute he says I’m deserving and ‘If I don’t fight Brock, he’ll get the fight,’ and then he’s like ‘No, you gotta fight three more times before you get a fight for the title, you gotta work your way up like everyone else.’ And I’m like what’re you talking about? You just said I deserve it…? I don’t know. He’s like a woman when they want to go out to eat dinner but they have no idea what they want to go eat but they say they want to go eat somewhere but they change their mind. It’s just never-ending.”

Well, now it is ending. Miocic and Cormier are set to face each other again in August, and according to Cormier, he will only have one or two more fights afterwards before retiring. But when asked if he’d like to be the one who retires Cormier, Miocic made it clear this would be DC’s final fight.

“That’s fine with me. I’m going to be [the guy that retires him].”

UFC 241 takes place on August 17 in Anaheim, Calif.

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Retire. Anderson Silva not ‘giving up’ or ‘feeling sorry’ for himself after UFC 237 loss.

Champion. Bellator 221’s Patricio Pitbull dismisses critics of Michael Chandler stoppage: ‘He kissed the floor’.

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VIDEO STEW

The MMA Hour.

Monday Morning Analyst.

Henry Cejudo has a dope trophy room.

Johnny Walker.

Kevin Lee having a sit down with Brendan Fitzgerald.

Combate Stockton highlights.

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LISTEN UP

The Co-Main Event. Recapping UFC 237 and discussing the future of 115.

Anik & Florian. Recapping UFC 237 and previewing UFC Rochester.

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SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE

Call outs.

Not sure why wanting to make more money is a joke but okay.

Damien Brown is always ready.

Izzy is salty for Volk.

Michael Johnson is correct.

Woodley involved in HBO’s Ali project.

This sure is something.

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FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Daren Cruickshank (22-11, 1 NC) vs. Tofiq Musaev (14-3); Rizin 16, June 2.

Mamoru Uoi (21-6-5) vs. Kana Hyatt (16-19); Rizin 16, June 2.

Takashi Soya (9-4-1) vs. Namiri Kawahara (5-2-2, 1 NC); Rizin 16, June 2.

Jose Alday (12-4-1-) vs. Juan Pablo Gonzalez (7-2-2); Combate Americas, June 7.

Rafa Garcia (9-0) vs. Estevan Payan (17-12, 1 NC); Combate Americas, June 7.

Yazmin Jauregui (2-0) vs. Codie Wareham (2-0); Combate Americas, June 7.

Max Holloway (20-4) vs. Frankie Edgar (23-6-1); UFC 240, July 27.

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TODAY IN MMA HISTORY

2011: Michael Chandler won a unanimous decision over Patricky Freire, winning the season four lightweight tournament and earning a title shot against Eddie Alvarez.

2016: Stipe Miocic became the UFC heavyweight champion, knocking out Fabricio Werdum at UFC 198. This event also featured the debut of Cris Cyborg, who knocked out Leslie Smith in the first round.

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FINAL THOUGHTS

Stipe can pretend he is not bothered by DC, but the minute the “entitled” comment came out, Stipe shut down in that interview.

Thanks for reading and see y’all tomorrow.

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EXIT POLL

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