Dana White likes Miocic vs. Cormier, but 'DC' unwilling with Velasquez return looming

BOSTON – UFC President Dana White’s desire to see a champion vs. champion fight between Stipe Miocic and Daniel Cormier will go unfulfilled so long as “DC” believes there’s any chance of Cain Velasquez returning to the title picture.

Following UFC 220, which saw Miocic (18-2 MMA, 12-2 UFC) defend heavyweight gold against Francis Ngannou (11-2 MMA, 6-1 UFC) and Cormier (20-1 MMA, 9-1 UFC) hold on to his light heavyweight strap vs. Volkan Oezdemir (15-2 MMA, 3-1 UFC) in the co-headliner, White said he’s interested in seeing the two champions face off.

“I don’t see why he couldn’t fight at heavyweight,” White said of Cormier on FS1’s UFC 220 post-fight show. “If he thinks Cain might come back, then if he won the belt he could give it up. But either way, it’s a good fight. With all the defenses he has, Stipe just broke the record for most defenses, so it’s a fun fight.”

Miocic and Cormier, who beat their respective opponents in dominant fashion at Saturday’s pay-per-view event at TD Garden in Boston, have been speculated for a potential matchup for quite some time. Cormier began his career at heavyweight, finding much success and even winning the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix in 2010.

After dropping to 205 pounds in 2014, though, Cormier has distanced himself from the idea of returning to heavyweight, mainly because his good friend and American Kickboxing Academy teammate is a constant contender for the belt. Velasquez has been plagued by injuries for years, though, so Cormier continues to get pestered about the situation.

Velasquez recently hinted he’s near a return, though, and when presented about the idea of potential Miocic matchup at UFC 220’s post-fight news conference, Cormier brushed off the idea.

“People have talked about that fight for a really long time,” Cormier told reporters, including MMAjunkie. “I did fight 13 fights at heavyweight, and I hate cutting weight, as you guys all know. … I haven’t really thought about it. Especially it’s hard for me now because Cain’s in the gym a lot more. Cain’s in the gym now getting back prepared to do what he does best, so I draw so much from him. Cain had a baby about a month ago and he’s here with me right now. … If he’s getting prepared to get the belt back then I have nothing for that division. That will never change.”

Regardless of what Cormier feels, though, White has a history of pushing hard for fights he wants done, even at the expense of his athletes. He didn’t make that bold a claim following UFC 220, but made it clear he feels UFC fans want to see the fight.

“There’s always contenders for everybody,” White said. “But I think that’s a fight people would like to see.”

For complete coverage of UFC 220, check out the UFC Events section of the site.