Daniel Cormier recently spoke out about the upcoming fight between Francis Ngannou and Ciryl Gane that's set for UFC 270. It seems like there is a lot of talk about things outside of the fight leading up to it.
The former two-division UFC champion made sure to remind Francis Ngannou that it was only his first title defense. He seems to think he's distracted.
“Dude’s got a fight with Ciryl Gane…” Daniel Cormier said on DC & RC. “He’s gotta fight Ciryl Gane in two weeks. I mean, what is going on? Why is Francis Ngannou seeming so distracted going into what is only his first title defense?”
Francis Ngannou has been talking about free agency and boxing. The UFC heavyweight champion seems to have a lot of things waiting for him after the fight.
“Because as the heavyweight champion of the world, when I was, you’re thinking about Brock Lesnar and all these things that will come to you. But in the moment, should [Ngannou] not get the distraction, especially as we get to zero hour. I mean zero hour’s upon us in two weeks, less than 14 days.
“Is it time to say Tyson fury is only there if I get through Ciryl.” DC said through the perspective of Ngannou. “So, I need to make sure that I get through Ciryl before I start to really give too much energy to these outsiders.”
Daniel Cormier looks back on his days as the UFC heavyweight champion and remembers looking at the future. He almost had a fight with Brock Lesnar to look forward to.
“When I did it, you always look to the next thing.” Cormier added. “But as it gets closer, I think you got to be locked in. Especially, when there are so many things built in to what Francis is dealing with already. Last fight of his contract, him and the UFC are verbally fighting in the public. He’s got a dangerous fighter, in front of him. The interim champion that is Ciryl Gane. He’s got his former coach who has intimate knowledge of who he is as a fighter, in the corner of the other guy.
“There are so many factors at play already not to mention it’s his first title defense, and you know how much pressure comes with that. You’re not a champion until you defend the belt… There’s a lot that comes with that and Francis needs to lock in.”
Daniel Cormier brings up some interesting points heading into UFC 270. Francis Ngannou has a lot of pressure heading into his fight with Ciryl Gane.