Stipe Miocic: Daniel Cormier Hasn’t Been at Heavyweight in a While, Hasn’t Fought Anyone Like Me

Before he decided to drop a weight class, Daniel Cormier won 13 consecutive fights at heavyweight, became the Strikeforce grand prix champion and was a top contender to challenge for gold in the UFC.

Cormier’s heavyweight resume includes wins over the likes of Frank Mir, Josh Barnett, Roy Nelson and Antonio Silva, to name a few. Since the move, he has found great success at 205 pounds, and will enter his UFC 226 showdown against Stipe Miocic as the promotion’s reigning light heavyweight king. However, it has been nearly five years since “DC” competed in the big man’s division, and back then, he didn’t have to face an opponent like Miocic.

“There’s a lot of concerns with Daniel,” Miocic said during an appearance on ESPN’s “Get Up” Tuesday. “He’s an amazing fighter, he’s fought heavyweight before. He’s undefeated actually at heavyweight, but he hasn’t fought heavyweight in a while and he hasn’t fought anyone like me yet.”

Miocic became the first man in UFC history to defend the heavyweight belt three times when he took a five-round verdict over Francis Ngannou at UFC 220 in January. Leading up to the bout, all the hype surrounded Ngannou, who had established himself as one of the company’s most feared knockout artists. Miocic definitely felt overlooked during promotion of the fight, but that slight also provided added motivation.

“It helps me a little bit because it definitely fuels the fire,” he said. “I understand they’re trying to hype the fight up, but sometimes, don’t leave me hanging here. I’m trying to help you guys too. It is what it is, but I like shutting people up.”

In victory, Miocic had his coach – not UFC President Dana White – put the heavyweight belt around his waist in the Octagon at UFC 220. The Cleveland native didn’t have much to say about that moment, but his brief message was clear.

“Just give it to my coach. He’s my man,” Miocic said. “He respects me.”

Recently, White said that former champion and current WWE star Brock Lesnar will eventually be making a return to the Octagon. White also said that it’s a possibility that Lesnar could challenge the Miocic-Cormier winner for the heavyweight crown down the road. On ESPN, Miocic was asked if he would rather face Lesnar in the UFC or in the sports entertainment realm.

“Of course, where the money’s at, whatever pays more,” he said with a laugh. “Honestly, WWE is still tough, but I wouldn’t be punched in the face as much. But it’s still hard what those guys go through. I have a couple friends that are WWE wrestlers. You can see all the stuff they get into. I guess where the money’s right. I just hope I don’t have to talk. I’m terrible at talking.

“But whatever. Right now, I’m not worried about that. I’m just worried about Daniel and July 7.”