American Kickboxing Academy Head Coach Javier Mendez hopes that UFC heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier retires after his upcoming title defense against Stipe Miocic.
Cormier and Miocic are set to go head-to-head for the second time when they collide in the main event of UFC 241 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California, this Saturday, August 17. The pay-per-view main card will be streamed live in the United States exclusively via
For Cormier, a successful outing against Miocic would mark his second consecutive heavyweight title defense and would cap-off an official eight-fight winning streak that commenced after his one and only recorded loss to Jon Jones in 2015. That stretch of fights includes title-winning performances against Anthony Johnson at light heavyweight and Miocic at heavyweight.
In a recent interview with Submission Radio, Cormier’s coach, Javier Mendez explained his wishes for Cormier to retire now at the age of 40, citing that he has a career awaiting him in the entertainment industry.
“Well, for us and me personally, I want him to retire after this fight,” Mendez said. “I don’t want him to continue. But that’s me. Daniel’s got another thing going.
“He’s got a bigger career in the entertainment industry as an announcer, as a broadcaster, as a TV personality. His life goes way, way beyond the UFC, and I think, for me personally, I don’t have a problem with him going onto a new life because he has that opportunity. But we’ll see.”
Mendez believes that Cormier has ‘done enough in this sport,’ but notes that the one thing that could entice Cormier back for one more round is more money.
“Knowing that he can make a lot of money in the entertainment business, I just want what’s best for him. He’s done enough in this sport as far as I’m concerned. So, what’s gonna keep him here? More money.”
When it comes to large paydays in the UFC light heavyweight or heavyweight divisions, there are limited opportunities for Cormier outside the potential trilogy bout with Jon Jones.
If the third fight between Cormier and Jones is ever to happen, Mendez wants it to happen at heavyweight. That opinion is shared by many fans, who are interested to see how Jones would fare in his move up from the 205-pound division.
However, the two fighters have repeatedly insisted on making the fight happen at light heavyweight, again.
“I’ve always wanted him to stay at heavyweight,” Mendez said.
“He’s the best at heavyweight. He’s proven that. But he’s gonna go to 205 [pounds]. The UFC would be fine with either. I talked to him, he said, ‘he [Jon Jones] beat me at 205, I want to fight him at 205.’ I hope he changes his mind if it ever happens.
“I hope if they throw the big bag of money at him, I hope it’s a heavyweight. Remember, that’s only one side. Jones is gonna say, why would I want to give him an advantage? So, there’s a lot of sides here, and I think DC and Jones, if they do decide to do it, I think it will be at 205.
“If Daniel wants to fight, he’s gonna fight. And if the UFC wants him to fight, guess what? They’re gonna give him a good offer that he probably can’t refuse.”
