UFC: Daniel Cormier Reveals Strategy For Trilogy Fight With Stipe Miocic

Daniel Cormier has revealed his strategy for his trilogy fight with Stipe Miocic at UFC 252. The heavyweight title fight is scheduled to take place at the UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada. A lot has been made in recent weeks of the 25-foot Octagon used at the APEX Center, as the promotion usually uses the standard 30-foot Octagon in arenas. According to ‘DC’, this puts him at an advantageous position against the champion.

In their previous fight at UFC 241, Miocic defeated Cormier via TKO in the 4th round. During the bout, both fighters stayed mostly on their feet, which surprised many as ‘DC’ is best known for his wrestling skills. In their first fight at UFC 226, the 41 year old surprised everyone by scoring a first round KO win.

Speaking to ESPN (transcribed by MMA Fighting), Cormier revealed how the upcoming fight is going to be different from the last one.

“I love fighting at the APEX,” Cormier said. “That old leg is gonna be right in front of me to grab. I’ll be like Curtis Blaydes. If you want to see a 25-minute stand-up fight, that’s not what you’re getting. I hope Stipe has his wrestling shoes, because with the small cage, single-leg, single-leg, single-leg, single-leg, wrestling. It is what it is. Sorry.”

For Cormier, the debate about a small or big cage is irrelevant. He believes that in times of such uncertainty, you need to take every opportunity.

“Stipe Miocic and I are going to fight for the heavyweight championship,” Cormier said. “We could fight on the beach somewhere, it’s still going to be an official heavyweight championship fight. It’s the world we live in today. Would you rather not have the fights? That’s the world we live in. We’ve got to fight where we’re supposed to fight. It is what it is. Big cage, small cage, I’m just gonna do my thing.”

On being asked if Miocic could make an influence and get the Octagon set up at its standard size, Cormier made it clear that the size of the cage doesn’t matter to him at all.

“He could, but it won’t change anything. 25-foot, 30-foot, all you’ll see is, (raises hand) ‘And new, two-time UFC heavyweight champion of the world, Daniel Cormier!’ That’s it. That’s what’s happening on August 15th and that’s all that matters to me.”

Cormier’s highly anticipated trilogy fight against Miocic is set to be the last fight of his legendary career. Even though he feels fit to continue fighting, ‘DC’ is standing firm on his decision to retire after this fight.

“Here’s the thing – and I want to be completely serious about this – everybody wants that moment, to be able to go out on top,” Cormier explained. “But if you keep chasing it, eventually somebody’s gonna get you. So no. I want this. It doesn’t get bigger. A trilogy fight for the heavyweight championship of the world. What more could I possibly be chasing?”

Do you think Daniel Cormier will defeat Stipe Miocic a second time and retire as the UFC heavyweight champion?

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