UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Daniel Cormier was recently awarded the title back after then champion Jon Jones was stripped of the gold after failing a second drug test.
DC has accomplished a lot both inside and outside of the Octagon, but he knows that it is going to take the fans a long time to respect all that he has accomplished in his career.
"If people aren't interested (in my next fight), they have every right," Cormier told ESPN. "But I think a lot of questions about the belt will be answered once I defend the title again. Right now, it's hard because the last time I fought, I lost. I think in time, people will remember me for the things I've accomplished. I'll definitely be tied to Jones, but people will more respect what I did and this other stuff will fade. But it will take time."
In the MMA world alone, the fighter is a two time UFC Light Heavyweight Champion and a Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix Champion.
Despite his long rivalry with Jones, the champion wants fans to take an easy on Jones until everything with USADA is over.
"I think he has the right to defend himself and we have to be careful about piling on this guy right now. But three times we've been scheduled to fight, and in every one of those situations, he's failed for something. How can you not expect me to think something is going on?” Cormier said.
Cormier last competed at UFC 214, the champion doesn’t have another fight scheduled at this time.
