Morning Report: Dana White wants Daniel Cormier to put off retirement plans for trilogy with Jon Jones
Daniel Cormier has been pretty adamant about his plans to retire next year, but UFC president Dana White is hoping he can make Cormier an offer the two weight world champion can’t refuse.
Earlier this year, Cormier set a hard date for his retirement from the sport, March 2019 when he turns 40 years old, and all indications have been that he intends to stick to that. But after moving back up to heavyweight to claim his second title and become only the second ever UFC double champ, it’s clear that Cormier still has plenty of fight left in him, at least, that’s what White is hoping for.
“I don’t know [if Cormier’s last fight will be next year],” White told TMZ Sports recently. “We don’t know that either yet. I think Cormier’s got a couple left in him.”
And while Cormier has held firm to his retirement plans, there is still plenty left for him to accomplish in MMA. For one, he has his planned superfight with Brock Lesnar early next year when Lesnar becomes eligible to compete again. Then, after that, there’s the small matter of settling his issues with Jon Jones.
Jones and Cormier share one of the biggest rivalries in UFC history, and with Jones making his return to the Octagon in December to compete for the light heavyweight title the UFC will strip Cormier of, a third bout between the two, with the grandest prize in MMA on the line, is a promoter’s dream, and one White hopes to capitalize on if he can convince DC to stick around beyond March.
“I hope so,” said White. “That was what I would like. I would like to see Jones and Cormier fight at heavyweight but right now, Cormier’s team wants him to retire right now. They want him to retire right now. I hope we can get three more fights out of him.”
Cormier is currently riding high off of his second-round submission over Derrick Lewis at UFC 230 and is unwavering in his determination to retire by March. Of course, all of this hinges on if Brock Lesnar is unable to compete next year, and Lesnar is anything but a sure bet. If Lesnar doesn’t, then maybe White will get the fight he wants to see after all.
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LISTEN UP
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SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
Doing alright.
Now there’s an idea.
I'd love to see Ponzinibbio vs Till! #UFCArgentina
— James Vick (@JamesVickMMA) November 18, 2018
Respect.
. @DarrenElkinsMMA is one of the toughest fighters I know. His heart and grit are unmatched and I know he’ll come back even better. It was an honor sharing the octagon with him. #ufcargentina #ufc #mma #ufcgymnaperville #ufcgym #weareufcgym #traindifferent #thebully #bullylife pic.twitter.com/ss9W5iFljO
— Ricardo Lamas (@RicardoLamasMMA) November 18, 2018
High praise.
Chito Vera = classiest man in MMA. Congrats, @chitoveraUFC!
— Jon Anik (@Jon_Anik) November 18, 2018
Jeez, Tito.
Solid.
Hey @EASPORTSUFC what do you think about putting me on the next update ? Just copy @KelvinGastelum and make it a slim Version so you don’t have too much work to do. Europe MMA fans would appreciate it @AliAbdelaziz00 @seanshelby @ufc @UFCEurope @danawhite
— Nasrat Haqparast (@Nasrat_mma) November 18, 2018
Dillon Danis is a strange duck.
bulking szn pic.twitter.com/3Esrdunnw7
— Dillon Danis (@dillondanis) November 17, 2018
So is Khabib.
The King of Rock and Rumble knows.
So you're saying there's chance... https://t.co/ogyR4TVHFZ
— Elvis Sinosic (@ElvisSinosic) November 18, 2018
Andre Fili also knows.
FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THAT IS GOOD AND HOLY, OPEN YOUR RESTAURANT ON SUNDAYS. @ChickfilA
— Andre Fili (@TouchyFili) November 18, 2018
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
N/A.
TODAY IN MMA HISTORY
1999: Kevin Randleman won a unanimous decision over Pete Williams to claim the vacant heavyweight title at UFC 23.
2005: Rich Franklin killed Nate Quarry with a left hand to defend his middleweight title at UFC 56. Also, Matt Hughes submitted Joe Riggs with a kimura to retain his welterweight title.
2011: Michael Chandler submitted Eddie Alvarez to become the Bellator lightweight champion at Bellator 58.
Also that night, Dan Henderson won a unanimous decision over Mauricio Rua at UFC 139 in 2011’s Fight of the Year.
2016: Michael Chandler won a split decision over Ben Henderson to retain his lightweight title at Bellator 165.
Also that evening, Gegard Mousasi got his revenge, knocking out Uriah Hall at UFC Fight Night 99, and Ryan Bader competed in the UFC for the last time, knocking out Antonio Rogerio Nogueira in their rematch at UFC Fight Night 100.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Anyway, thanks for reading and see y’all tomorrow.
EXIT POLL
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