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Daniel ‘DC’ Cormier went into his UFC heavyweight championship fight with at UFC252 knowing that it could very well be his last fight in MMA. The UFC future hall of famer wanted to finish his trilogy fight with the champ and see if he could win back the belt and finish his career on a winning note.
Things did not go as per plan for DC and he ended up losing by decision. He put up a great fight, given the fact that he suffered a nasty eye poke in the third round that left him fighting with one eye.
There were many who expected Cormier to retire in the Octagon and follow the tradition of taking off his gloves and leaving it in the Octagon for the last time.
DC did not do that nor did he confirm that he was officially retired. There were many who believed that DC might make one more trip to the Octagon just to finish his legendary career on a winning note. He stayed silent for a couple of weeks to let his emotions settle and his eye heal.
DC went on the Ariel Helwani MMA show on ESPN and confirmed on August 31 that he will never compete again in MMA and is now officially retired. MMA fans were not shocked at the news but were a bit surprised why DC did not retire in the Octagon and get the farewell he deserved.
ESPN MMA
Did Not Want To Steal Stipe’s Thunder
Daniel Cormier said that Stipe was the better man on the night and won the fight. He did not think it was correct for him to retire in the Octagon and leave his gloves on the mat as that would have taken the spotlight away from Stipe’s win and stolen his thunder.
Some may be surprised by DC’s selfless act and thoughtfulness but those who know DC and have followed him for all these years, know that this is the type of man that he is. Daniel Cormier will not only be remembered as an Olympian, a StrikeForce champion and a two division UFC champion but also as a role model and a fantastic leader.
DC will go down into the UFC Hall of Fame as one of the greatest to ever do. The only two men who have ever beaten him are Stipe Miocic who is considered the greatest heavyweight in the world and Jon Jones who is considered the greatest of all time.
