UFC Light Heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier has announced his plans to retire from fighting in March 2019. The news comes just days after his dominant title defence over Volkan Oezdemir at UFC 220.
According to the former Olympian he has no plans to fight past the age of 40, and will be hanging up his gloves afterwards.
“Come March (of this year), I will have 12 months, at max, left,” said Cormier in a recent interview. “I’m going to be done by Mar. 20, 2019. I won’t be fighting again.”
“I’m going to be done at 40,” Cormier said. “I won’t be back. There won’t be jumping around or, ‘I’m done until I get the right type of fight.’ It’ll be over. I’m not going to be doing this anymore. I’ve said time and time again that I’ve lived a great life in sports. I’ve loved every moment of it. My family has revolved around sports. Not only my family, (wife) Selena and the kids, but also my mom and my dad.”
After a decorated career in both MMA and wrestling, it seems Cormier will now turn his attention to his UFC commentary role, as well as spending time with his family. But is the 38 year old satisfied with what he’s achieved in the sport?
“I’ve been the center of the athletic universe for my family for a really, really long time. It’s time for that to be little Daniel and Marquita. It’s time for them to be the center of our athletic competition, and I just want to be one of those crazy dads that gets to yell on the sideline and just go crazy and brag about his kids.”
At the end of the day, I have to be OK with my career when it’s said and done, and my career is good with me, whether I beat Jones or if I have to beat Gustafsson, or if I never face him. I’m fine with everything.”
Who would you like to see Daniel Cormier fight before he retires in 2019? Have your say in the comments below.
Subscribe
