Daniel Cormier is hoping the second time will be the charm as he will meet Anthony Johnson for the vacant UFC light heavyweight title in the main event of UFC 187 on Saturday night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
It was over four months ago that Cormier stepped into the octagon at the MGM Grand Garden Arena and faced now former UFC champion Jon Jones for the 205 pound title.
Cormier (15-1) would suffer the first defeat of his career on that night and with Jones being stripped of the title recently due to an incident away from the cage, Cormier gets another shot at the title as he will meet Johnson.
By the time Saturday gets here, it will have been 141 days since Cormier lost to Jones by unanimous decision. During last night’s edition of UFC Tonight, Cormier discussed what he has learn from that fight as he ends into another title fight.
“I know I can be beat now. As you guys know, I always talked about my zero on my record,” Cormier said. “That’s not there anymore. I understand that anything can happen in the Octagon if I’m not on my game. I’m more focused, with realization anything can happen in the Octagon.”
Before getting the call to face Johnson for the vacant title, Cormier was already in training camp as he was previously booked to face Ryan Bader in the main event of UFC Fight Night 68 on June 6. With this fight being two weeks prior, has a majority of the camp been based on the weight cut?
“I didn’t just focus on the weight cut in my camp,” explained. “I’ve been focusing on working hard and being prepared for Anthony Johnson and being prepared for this huge opportunity.”
There is a major difference for Cormier in this training camp as opposed to his camp for Jones. That difference is having UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez, who is set to return to the octagon next month against Fabricio Werdum.
“It’s been an amazing difference. I love Cain but I hate Cain because I’m trying to get out of the Octagon every time I spar with him because he pushes me so much. I told him and my trainer to not let me quit. They made me believe in myself and that I can accomplish what I want on Saturday.”
When it comes to the fight against Johnson, Cormier is confident that he will leave the MGM Grand Garden Arena with the UFC title around his waist. He knows the strengths his opponent will bring and believes his past experiences will be key for him.
“It’s not about his power against my wrestling,” Cormier stated. “If I have to stand there against him for 25 minutes, I am confident I can get it done. I won the Strikeforce Championship. I’ve fought for the UFC championship. He’s never experienced anything like this before. I believe in myself. I’m smarter knowing that if I don’t do it the right way, Anthony Johnson could just possibly, maybe be champion.”