After a grueling fight schedule over the past few years which has resulted in him winning and then successfully defending the light-heavyweight title, Daniel Cormier has admitted that he’s now looking to take some time out.
Even based on Cormier’s last fight alone – a five round war with Alexander Gustafsson at UFC 192 earlier this month that took a lot out of both men – some time out would seem appropriate, but the truth is that based on the fights he’s taken ‘DC’ was entitled to a well-earned break even before that.
“In 2015, I fought Jones, I fought ‘Rumble’ Johnson, and I fought Alexander Gustafsson,” Cormier said on the Anik & Florian podcast yesterday. “I fought the toughest guys the division has to offer – all in 10 months, at 36 years old. I need a little bit of a break. I fought seven times in two years in the UFC. I need some time to sit back and spend with my family. … I want to take a break, and I think I’ve earned it.”
Cormier does still have unfinished business in the Octagon though with Jon Jones now free of his hit-and-run court case and apparently ready to resume his UFC career if the UFC lifts the current suspension hanging over his head.
It’s certainly not something that’s slipped DC’s mind – indeed he was the man calling for a rematch with Jones even after he won the title earlier this year – but whatever happens Cormier still intends to rest up first.
“I have no idea (when Jones will be back); all I know is that I’m taking a break.”
That fight is clearly in the back of his mind though, and he suggests either the UFC’s tenative April event in NYC or July’s UFC 200 event as dates he’d be happy to pencil in the rematch for.
Looking further ahead, the 36 year-old also appears to have no firm plans yet for when he might retire, though he could see a set of circumstances that could lead him to hanging up his gloves.
“Let’s say the wheels start to fall off and I lose or I lose twice. I’ll probably be done. My resume, my career and my legacy in this sport means more to me then collecting some checks. I’m going to do it until I’m not competitive and when I’m not competitive and not winning at the level that I’m winning now, I’ll walk away. Yes, legacy does matter to me and I want to leave a good one in MMA.”
