UFC champ Daniel Cormier wants Jon Jones trilogy after Stipe Miocic or he’ll retire from MMA

UFC heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier says he is only interested in a Jon Jones trilogy fight after Stipe Miocic – or he is likely to retire.

The 40-year-old defends his belt against Miocic in a rematch at UFC 241 this weekend after delivering a first round knockout in their initial showdown a year ago.

DC has failed to entice Brock Lesnar back into the Octagon for a mouthwatering showdown, with the Beast instead retiring from MMA to concentrate on WWE.

And he insists he is comfortable walking away from the sport for good unless he agrees a “big bucks” bout with foe Jones.

Speaking on Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show, Cormier said: “This fight can be the last fight. I’ll win the fight this weekend and see what happens.

“The reality is, if I have to walk away from this thing after Saturday, I’m OK with it.

“I’ve accomplished so much. My family is excited with the prospects of me being around more.

“The other side looks good too. But right now I have to be focused for this weekend.”

Cormier, who submitted Derrick Lewis in the second in his last outing in November, had originally planned to call it a day before his 40th birthday in March before deciding to continue.

Many believe he is doing so in order to secure a highly-anticipated third fight with Jones, 32.

They battled for the first time at UFC 182 four years ago, with Bones winning via unanimous decision.

They locked horns again at UFC 214 in 2017 with Jones emerging triumphant again to claim the light heavyweight belt with a stunning head-kick knockout.

However, that result was changed to a no contest after Jones tested positive for the banned substance turinabol, leading to Cormier being reinstated as champion.

And when quizzed on a trilogy fight, Cormier admitted it is Jones or nobody.

He said: “The ball is in my court now. I get to decide whether I want to fight Jon Jones, or I let him continue to fight guys like Thiago Santos and Corey Anderson.

“Ultimately, for him to make the big bucks, we have to fight each other.

“It’s only big fights for me, it’ll be Stipe Miocic, and if I fight again, it’ll be Jones. It’s not going to be anybody else.”

Cormier also added that any potential clash would have to be at light heavyweight so he can “make right what was wrong initially.”

However, Jones is adamant no third fight will take place.

Responding to Cormier’s comments, he tweeted: “I’ve been the light heavyweight champion for almost my entire MMA career, never have I moved up to challenge a heavyweight champion. I’m simply not interested in it right now, never seriously have been.

“I feel like the move is inevitable but as of right now, I’m dominating fights and making weight just fine. Daniels and I not reverie, but beef started at the light heavyweight division and that’s where it should end (even though I could’ve sworn I ended this once or twice already).

“Despite what he says to the media, I will guarantee you guys there will be no third fight. No way will he lose that weight again, no way will he be willing to reface those nightmares that comes when facing the beast.”