UFC champ Stipe Miocic shifts focus away from Daniel Cormier trilogy amid coronavirus pandemic

Setting up a trilogy bout with Daniel Cormier is UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic’s main priority at the moment.

Miocic (19-3 MMA, 13-3 UFC), who doubles as a part-time firefighter in Ohio, is not putting too much energy into determining when his anticipated third encounter with Cormier (22-2 MMA, 12-2 UFC) will take place. The ongoing coronavirus outbreak has brought the entire sports world to a standstill, and the UFC is certainly not immune.

The promotion has already postponed its next three events. More could be on the way, which could potentially push back the much-discussed, late-summer timeline for Miocic-Cormier 3. But none of that is on the champ’s mind, he said. The responsibility of his other job weighs more heavily.

“It’s looking like summer, but with this going on right now, honestly I’m not even worried about that,” Miocic said in an interview with UFC reporter Megan Olivi. “I’m worried about firefighting, and the paramedics out there and I got to do what I got to do. There’s so many people out there that need help. There’s people that are going to stay at home and some of them might get sick. I’m putting myself in harm’s way and I’m OK with that, but I’ve got to make sure when I’m home at the end of the day my family is OK.”

Miocic has not fought since August when he knocked out Cormier in their rematch at UFC 241 to regain the heavyweight title. Miocic suffered an eye injury in the win, and the recovery process has been long.

Recently Miocic was cleared to resume training, but the coronavirus outbreak began shortly thereafter and many gyms have been required to shut down.

Now everything looms in uncertainty, including a date for Miocic and Cormier to have their last dance.