Daniel Cormier has apologized to Stipe Miocic for the confrontation he had with Brock Lesnar in the cage immediately following Cormier’s UFC 226 title win against the former champion.
Following the victory Cormier invited Lesnar into the cage, where a pushing match ensued as Miocic watched on and Cormier says that he should have acted with a bit more decorum in the heat of the moment.
“I was thinking about it a lot yesterday and I was thinking about it this morning and ever since Stipe sent me that message — do it again, congratulations and all that — when you get in the moment of some of the stuff that’s happening, you don’t stop and think about everyone else. I was in fight mode and then fight build mode with [Brock] Lesnar so I kind of feel bad that Stipe had to kind of sit through that after the fight,” Cormier said via MMAWeekly.
“So I kind of want to apologize to him for the f–king s–t show that was going on in the Octagon after our fight. Cause it seemed like he kind of had to sit there and listen to me and Brock hollering at each other. He’s a big man and a champion for even doing that. I’m glad they didn’t interview him afterwards cause you know that can turn out bad like with me. For him to have to sit through that, that kind of sucked and I wanted to apologize to him for that.”
Referencing Miocic’s desire for a rematch, Cormier said that he doesn’t think his current schedule allows it. He intends to retire upon his 40th birthday in March of 2019 which, he says, leaves him room for two more bouts — one at light heavyweight and one at heavyweight — and, as of now at least, it appears as if Lesnar will occupy that heavyweight slot.
“I don’t think it will happen again because of the timing,” Cormier said. “I do believe that he’s going to be fighting for the heavyweight championship again and in the near future. There aren’t many guys in this division who can beat Stipe Miocic. So he’ll be fighting for the belt again soon.
“I do respect him a ton. Great guy, great champion. Great fighter and I wish him and his wife nothing but luck with the birth of their baby.”
