Daniel Cormier: No motivation like fighting a champion
When the offer came in, Mir was happy to make the move to go over and give Cormier the big…
When the offer came in, Mir was happy to make the move to go over and give Cormier the big fight he’s been waiting for, and the former Olympian gave thanks to the executives at Zuffa like UFC President Dana White for making this deal possible.
You’ve got to tip your hat off to the executives at Zuffa for doing something like that and to Frank Mir for doing it. I respect Frank greatly for stepping in and taking this fight. This fight can elevate my status in the sport a ton, said Cormier.
Cormier believes that facing Mir will raise his stock not only in the heavyweight division, but also to the casual UFC viewers who might tune in to see the bout because Mir is involved.
The reality is Frank Mir is a guy people from the UFC know, he’s been a champion, he’s always around the top of the sport. Frank Mir is going to introduce me to the UFC fans a little bit more than I would fighting a different guy, said Cormier.
There’s no motivation like fighting a champion. I respect Frank, the fight’s very similar to Josh Barnett. I think Josh Barnett is better, Cormier revealed.
No disrespect to Frank, but I think Josh is better and I’m going to train as if I’m fighting Josh Barnett again, and let’s see how this fight plays out.