In recent months, Stipe Miocic hasn’t sounded very pumped about the possibility of fighting Daniel Cormier for a third time. But, as the heavyweight champ continues to recover from an eye injury, Miocic’s reported he will throw hands with “DC” again, if the UFC wants that to happen.
Miocic talks timeline for return
Miocic faced Cormier last August at UFC 241, and after taking some shots early on, the Ohio star proceeded to put “DC” away in round four. The win avenged Miocio’s KO loss to Cormier in 2018, and returned the heavyweight belt to his waist.
Due to damage his eye sustained in the fight, however, Miocic has been sidelined. But, while talking to TMZ Sports recently, the champ provided this update on his recovery (quotes via MMA Fighting):
“The eye is really good actually,” Miocic said. “It’s getting healed up, getting better every day, and I’m just getting back in the gym slowly.”
“I still have some spots, that’s still there,” he later added. “But it can stay, it can go, it depends, but it’s not really messing with my vision so I’m happy about that.”
“Just kind of making my way in there,” Miocic said when asked if he’d resumed sparring in the gym. “Just trying to get in better shape and know how my body feels and making sure my eyes feel good.”
So, this is great to hear, and Miocic also mentioned summer as a possibility for his return, which the UFC would undoubtedly love to have happen.
So, what about Miocic – Cormier III?
Now, since both Cormier and Miocic hold a win over each other, there’s been plenty of talk about a rubber match. Dana White has said that’s the UFC’s plan, and Cormier has even said that’s the only fight that will bring him back to the Octagon.
While Miocic never outright said no to a third bout, in the past, he didn’t sound all that interested. Case in point, in November, Miocic said he was more interested in fighting Tyson Fury next, since, according to him, he decisively beat “DC”.
But, when asked by TMZ about facing Cormier again, Miocic said the following:
“Yeah, if that’s what the UFC wants,” Miocic said of the Cormier matchup. “I’m not the matchmaker. Like I always say, if I was the matchmaker I wouldn’t be fighting.”
“It sucks, it sucks for him,” Miocic said. “He’s gonna lose again.”
There you have it. It’s going to be interesting to see when the rubber match goes down. Could the UFC get it booked for International Fight Week in July?
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