Daniel Cormier says ‘the motivation needs to change’ ahead of Stipe Miocic rematch

Daniel Cormier did not get the Brock Lesnar fight he so desired. Instead, the heavyweight champion will now rematch Stipe Miocic in the main event of UFC 241.

Given “DC” already beat Miocic, he understands what he needs to do to win the fight again. But, the motivation is not the same for this fight, and the heavyweight champion admits that.

“The motivation needs to change,” Cormier said to MMA Junkie Radio. “Before, it was, ‘I’m going to go and become a double champion.’ Now I need to go and defend this title again and go beat one of the best heavyweights of all-time for a second time. This is not easy.”

Before the fight was finalized, Daniel Cormier spoke about not wanting this fight as he didn’t know how he could improve on his last result. With the fight just a month and a half away, he has changed his mind on that and is now focused on just winning the fight.

“Ultimately, it’s always about winning the fight,” Cormier said. “Get the job done, but if there’s any way to improve, then try to improve. I mean, can I find a submission? Can I find a way to take advantage of the same type of mistake that he may have made prior?

“I spoke about a mistake that Stipe made constantly, consistently, and I was able to capitalize on it but maybe there’s something else we’re seeing that we didn’t have to do last fight that I can use in this one,” Cormier added. “There are a lot of different ways to try and win a fight.”

In the end, Daniel Cormier is more than confident he will hear ‘And Still’ by Bruce Buffer. Although he says the motivation may not be the same, he says he is physically better for this fight which will show in the Octagon.

“I anticipate being a better version of myself,” Cormier said. “In the fight last year, there were many days where I was lumbering into practice, barely able to stand tall and now I’m walking around straight, I feel good daily. Every day I feel better. I feel physically better so I’d imagine that would lead to better results.”

Who do you think wins the rematch between Daniel Cormier and Stipe Miocic? Sound off in the comment section, PENN Nation!

This article first appeared on BJPENN.COM on 6/27/2019.