DANIEL CORMIER has snubbed fierce rival Jon Jones and declared he will end his UFC career with a trilogy fight against Stipe Miocic.
The 40-year-old lost the heavyweight championship to the American-Croatian at UFC 241 last month.
Since that setback, DC has remained tight-lipped as he contemplated his future.
But now he has broken his silence to close the door on a potential third showdown with Jones in favour of making it a hat-trick of clashes against “The Silencer” for the belt.
Cormier, who initially won the title from Miocic last year and went on to defend it against Derrick Lewis, told Ariel Helwani's MMA Show: “Win or lose, I'm not fighting again.
“This will be the only time I ever step foot inside the octagon again.
“Next one is the last one, but it has to be Stipe, no one else matters.
“[UFC] wants me to fight Stipe again, it was a fantastic fight.”
With each holding one win apiece, Cormier is hoping to break the deadlock between the duo before the end of year and call time on his career.
However, he insists he would have no regrets if Miocic emerged victorious again.
Cormier explained: “If December 14 becomes available, that would work for me.
“I'd be happy to get myself ready to do that. I love to compete and I don't want to finish like this.
“If he's still good enough to beat me under those terms, then it is what it is.”
Meanwhile, Jones has also battled Cormier twice and launched a fierce attack on his foe following his defeat to Miocic.
“Bones”, 32, beat DC at UFC 182 in 2015 and picked up a second win at UFC 214 in 2017, only for the decision to be overturned after he tested positive for turinabol.
UFC has still not officially confirmed a rematch date.
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