Jimi Manuwa: Daniel Cormier is just 'one of those fat kids in school' trying to be a bully

Jimi Manuwa has been the target of Daniel Cormier’s trash-talk ever since moments after the light heavyweight champion successfully defended his title in April at UFC 210. Manuwa also has sat back and observed Cormier’s talk-trash aimed at Jon Jones and takes umbrage with bringing up his past drug use, something Cormier has defended.

Bottom line: Manuwa is tired of it.

“To me, he’s like a schoolboy bully – one of those fat kids in school who’s bigger than everyone and throws his weight around and tries to laugh at everyone,” Manuwa today said in an MMAjunkie Radio interview. “That’s how he comes across to me. But we’re not in school anymore. We’re grown men, and I don’t stand for any of that shit. He can keep on with his trash-talk, and I’ll show him what’s what when we’re face to face.”

There is no guarantee Manuwa and Cormier will meet inside the octagon, but the opportunity certainly is there. Both Cormier and Manuwa are on the pay-per-view card for July’s UFC 214 in Anaheim, Calif. Cormier (19-1 MMA, 8-1 UFC) will aim to defend his title in a rematch with Jones (22-1 MMA, 16-1 UFC), while Manuwa (17-2 MMA, 6-2 UFC) will face rapidly rising newcomer Volkan Oezdemir (14-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC), who owns wins over top-10 opponents in his first two UFC fights.

There seemingly are two paths that could lead to a Cormier-Manuwa showdown since the UFC 214 booking was strategic to protect the event from falling apart. Should Jones or Cormier pull out, Manuwa would be elevated to the main event. If the card goes on as planned, and both men win, it stands to reason that Manuwa would be next in line to challenge for Cormier’s title.

As far as preparation goes, Manuwa is ready to face whoever.

“It doesn’t matter to me who the opponent is,” Manuwa said. “I’ll be ready in all areas.”

But since Manuwa lacks substantial beef with Jones, would “Posterboy” rather fight Cormier given their built-in feud to drive interest? Not at all.

“I’m not interested in story lines and stuff. I want the belt. I’m focused on the belt,” Manuwa said. “I’m focused on the world championship belt. Whether Jon Jones gets it or Cormier (defends), they’re both hard fights. They’re both the best in the world, so I want to beat the best in the world. And that’s it for me. I’m not interested in story lines or trash-talk and all this bullshit.”

To hear more from Manuwa, including his thoughts on the Oezdemir fight, check out the video above.

And for more on UFC 214, visit the UFC Rumors section of the site.

MMAjunkie Radio broadcasts Monday-Friday at 1 p.m. ET (10 a.m. PT) live from Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino’s Race & Sports Book. The show is hosted by “Gorgeous” George Garcia and producer Brian “Goze” Garcia. For more information or to download past episodes, go to www.mmajunkie.com/radio.

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