UFC heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier is wasting no time setting up his next fight.
Cormier challenged Brock Lesnar moments after retaining his title in the main event of UFC 230 at Madison Square Garden on Sunday afternoon (New Zealand time).
“Brock Lesnar, when you come, bring that brand new WWE title because I feel like being a WWE champion too,” Cormier said.
“Let’s go, Brock! Bring that belt with you if you come to my house.”
Cormier is a noted pro-wrestling fan, and has been vocal about fighting Lesnar – one of the UFC’s biggest pay-per-view drawcards – since he won the title in July.
Lesnar was in attendance for Cormier’s title win at UFC 226, where he entered the Octagon and pushed Cormier during the champ’s celebration.
“Brock is a beast, man,” Cormier admitted during the UFC 230 post-fight press conference. “I know I talk a lot of trash about him but he is a real life beast and he’s a guy that is going to really push me, and I’m excited about it.
“Could you imagine the visual, me standing across the Octagon from Brock Lesnar?”
When the fight will happen remains unclear.
The looming deadline of Cormier’s self-imposed retirement after his 40th birthday in March 2019 creates a narrow window for the UFC.
Lesnar is suspended from fighting until January 2019 by the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) due to an anti-doping policy violation in his fight against Mark Hunt at UFC 200 in July 2016.
Many have speculated UFC 235 (March 2, 2019 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas) could host the showdown between Cormier and Lesnar. Cormier was receptive to the date.
“Talk about having an opportunity to go out on an all-time high,” he said during the UFC 230 post-fight press conference. “Headlining in Vegas against Brock Lesnar before I turn 40, two weeks before my birthday, have my biggest fight. Yeah, it’s crazy.”
Cormier is not the only fighter to express interest in Lesnar.
Jon Jones, a former UFC light heavyweight champion and Cormier’s longtime rival, told reporters he too would like a shot at the WWE Superstar.
“I would like to fight Brock Lesnar still,” Jones said at the UFC 232 press conference. “I think Brock Lesnar is one of the most entertaining guys. People want to see him in the UFC against entertaining guys so I’m definitely looking forward to the opportunity to still compete against Brock Lesnar.”
Lesnar first fought for the UFC from 2009 to 2011, where he won the UFC heavyweight championship. He has amassed an MMA record of four wins, three losses and one no contest.
