Daniel Cormier is set to fight at UFC 252. Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Dana White: Daniel Cormier won't retire after UFC 252

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 8/14/20

Forty-one-year-old Daniel Cormier has repeatedly stated that Saturday's heavyweight title bout versus reigning champion Stipe Miocic in the main event of UFC 252 will be his final professional bout, win or lose.

UFC boss Dana White isn't convinced.

White spoke with ESPN on Thursday about the futures of both fighters ahead of what some have called the most important heavyweight championship match in UFC history.

"No, it's not," White responded when asked if Saturday will, indeed, be Cormier's last dance in the UFC.

White continued:

"It's obviously going to depend on how the fight plays out on Saturday night. If Cormier wins in spectacular fashion, this will not be his last fight. And knowing him the way that I do, if he loses, then it will be, 'I can't go out like this.' You know me. When people start talking about retiring, I think they should."

White also said that he doesn't believe either fighter should retire regardless of the bout's outcome. It's long been rumored that the UFC could schedule a third career fight between Cormier and bitter rival Jon Jones if Cormier topples Miocic this Saturday.

Cormier defeated Miocic for the heavyweight strap at the UFC 226 show in July 2018, but Miocic avenged that loss and regained the belt by stopping Cormier in the fourth round of last August's UFC 241 card.

During a separate press obligation, White explained that the winner of Saturday's headliner should be viewed as the greatest heavyweight in the history of mixed martial arts.

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