All that matters to Daniel Cormier is fighting Stipe Miocic. An empty arena would be just fine

Daniel Cormier has been involved in some of MMA’s most electric moments.

Chief among them was his knockout victory over Stipe Miocic in July 2018 to claim the heavyweight title at UFC 226. The crowd response was deafening at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Such moments are part of the reason why it can be so tough for athletes to walk away from the limelight.

Cormier, also a former UFC light heavyweight champion, plans on making his trilogy fight with Miocic, who regained the belt at UFC 241, the final fight of his career. And while DC admits he would love the rush of a final victorious moment in front of a packed arena, he’s also realistic about the way things are going.

The UFC is looking to get back up and running after canceling three weeks of its schedule. As the global coronavirus pandemic plays out, the upcoming schedule is slated to go on without fans in attendance.

No one is sure how much time will pass before crowds are again allowed to congregate at sporting events. And if push comes to shove, Cormier (22-2 MMA, 11-2 UFC) is willing to have his fight with Miocic (19-3 MMA, 13-3 UFC) take place in an empty facility if that’s what it takes to have the bout come together in a timely manner.

“For me, it’s about me and Miocic,” Cormier told MMA Junkie Radio. “I love the crowd, that explosion that I got when I knocked him out in Las Vegas. I’ve had a life, a career of big moments, and I would love to have that last moment, but I would much rather have a chance to fight and compete.”

Cormier likens his situation to that of future NBA Hall of Famer Vince Carter. Carter, 43, had an iconic moment when he finished his final game before last month’s NBA shutdown with a last-second three-pointer and a standing ovation. But Cormier, 41, is willing to bet Carter would trade that for a chance to finish the season in empty-arena games if the options are that or not playing.

“Vince Carter spent 20 years in the NBA, and everywhere he went was going to be the last time he was there,” Cormier said. “Because the NBA season is pretty much done even if they do get to play, his team won’t be in the playoffs. Vince Carter never got that last chance. Even before we went under quarantine, they put Vince into a game, and Vince shot a three-pointer as time was about to run out, and that’s going to be the last time he scored a basket in the NBA. I see him play that last game, and as it wrapped up he gets a standing ovation and got to go out on his own. But, if he got to play in an empty arena and play his last games, that would probably still matter as much to him, much better than not getting to play the last game. So I’d rather fight the last fight, rather than having to wait and (it becomes) so long.”

Will that wait become too long? Cormier believes the fact the UFC is getting back up and running helps his chances.

“This is what, for me as a competitor, this is what excites me, that the UFC is getting back to business,” Cormier said. “Because if the UFC gets back to business, then you didn’t miss that much. Not much got canceled. And if they’re going back to work, that tells me that if (Stipe and I) were going to fight before, then it’s probably still going to happen. And that, to me, is very refreshing to hear. It’s exciting to hear.”