Dana White: Miocic-Cormier III set, Conor could have fought at UFC 249
During an appearance on ESPN First Take Tuesday where he made a formal announcement about Fight Island, UFC president Dana White discussed some other topics including the trilogy fight that could determine the best UFC heavyweight of all time.
White said that UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic vs. Daniel Cormer III is set for Saturday, August 15th, but doesn’t have a location yet. The two first fought in July 2018 when the then-light heavyweight champion Cormier knocked out Miocic in the first round to become a double champion. They rematched just over a year later and Miocic reclaimed the title with a fourth round TKO win.
Miocic had set the record for most consecutive title defenses (three) before the Cormier loss while Cormier had never been beaten at heavyweight before MIocic beat him.
Other notes from the conversation:
- White claimed that Conor McGregor could have fought at UFC 249 as a replacement for either lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov or Tony Ferguson, but chose not to because he said “I’m not a replacement fighter. I’m not going to do it.” Justin Gaethje instead moved into Nurmagomedov’s position and defeated Ferguson for the interim lightweight title. White said McGregor was frustrated that he can’t get what he wants, and recommended the former two divison champion sit back and wait to see how things play out.
- When asked about the contracts for Jon Jones and Jorge Masvidal, White aired frustration since both signed new deals recently. He said Jones signed a new deal less than a year ago and has eight fights remaining which contradicts what Jones said. With Masvidal, White said he signed a new deal seven months ago.
- He said Kamaru Usman just signed a new six fight deal.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51hKKVlhJug