Daniel Cormier is well aware of the opportunity that awaits.
Not only could Cormier further solidify himself as one of the greatest MMA fighters of all time by defeating Stipe Miocic for the heavyweight title at UFC 226 on July 7. He also could position himself for a superfight against Brock Lesnar and the huge payday that inevitably would come with it.
In fact, Cormier channeled his inner Isaiah Thomas when discussing a possible showdown with Lesnar, joking that UFC will need to bring a Brinks truck to his home in California.
“Hey, I know that when I fight Jon Jones, I make a lot of money. I know that if I was to ever fight a Brock Lesnar, I’m going to make even more money than I’ve ever made in entire life,” Cormier recently said, per MMAFighting.com. “And ultimately, championships and money is why we do this. I don’t care for all the other stuff. I want to get paid. I’m almost 40, the door’s about to close on me, so why not ride out into the sunset with a massive payday? Truckloads of money. Back up the Brinks truck to Gilroy, California if you fight Brock Lesnar, I’m telling you.
“He told me last time, right? When that thing broke that he was fighting at UFC 200, I said, ‘Big Brock, is it Christmas morning in the Cormier household?’ He goes, ‘Merry Christmas, DC. You’re welcome.’ That’s what he told me. He knows that the money’s coming. When he’s on your card or if you’re fighting against him, he knows that you’re getting paid.”
Thomas, a two-time All-Star, famously declared the Boston Celtics would need to “bring the Brinks truck” if they planned to re-sign him in free agency. The Celtics later traded Thomas to the Cleveland Cavaliers in a deal for Kyrie Irving, after which I.T.’s career took a turn for the worse.
Thomas might never get a max contract now, just like Cormier probably won’t fight Lesnar if he doesn’t beat Miocic to become a two-division champion. And therefore, D.C. isn’t looking too far ahead.
“That thing never happens unless I get past Stipe,” Cormier said of potentially fighting Lesnar. “But just hearing out loud was like, oh my goodness.”
