Daniel Cormier appears to have confirmed that he’s retiring in a new statement released just days after his decision loss to Stipe Miocic in their trilogy heavyweight title fight at UFC 252.
“Thank you all for the love and support,” Cormier wrote on Instagram. “Not what I wanted or expected but it is what it is.
“Congrats to [Stipe Miocic] on a fantastic fight, was an honor and pleasure to share the octagon with you for 50 minutes. Boy did we give ’em a show everytime.
“To my team: I love you all to death, you’ve made so many sacrifices. I hope I made you guys proud.
“Salina and the kids: thank you for being my motivation. To all the fans: I love you so much. You guys push me to try and be great.
“To Dana White and the UFC : I have loved every minute. Thank you for giving me the opportunity. Been a helluva ride, huh?”
Cormier didn’t give an update on the injured left eye he suffered during the fight, but was confirmed at the weekend that he has suffered a torn cornea, which as things stand doctor’s are not planning to operate on, but will continue to monitor it in the coming days.
The 41-year-old DC bows out of the sport as one of the all-time greats, having made history during his time in the UFC as the first fighter ever to have successfully defended titles in two divisions – light-heavyweight and heavyweight – as well as being only the second fighter in the promotion to ever have held two belts simultaneously.
In total, Cormier’s MMA record stands at 22-3 (+1nc), with his biggest wins coming over the likes of the aforementioned Miocic, Alexander Gustafsson, Anthony Johnson (twice), Anderson Silva, Dan Henderson, Frank Mir and Josh Barnett, the latter of which he defeated to win Strikeforce’s heavyweight Grand-Prix prior to joining the UFC.
