Two division UFC champion Daniel Cormier successfully defended the UFC Heavyweight Title against Derrick Lewis in the main event of UFC 230.
Former UFC Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar is expected to be up next for Cormier, whom the champion expects to be a tougher challenge than Lewis was.
“I think it’s tougher, because he kind of cancels out the wrestling,” Cormier told MMA Junkie Radio. “I can’t just go take Brock Lesnar down at will like I was able to with Derrick Lewis. And he’s big and athletic and super fast. Also, he has a size 5X glove, so if he’s able to land one of those strikes, it could be the end of the night. I truly do believe it’s the tougher fight.”
Lesnar hasn’t competed since a no contest against Mark Hunt at UFC 200 and is currently serving the remainder of a USADA issued suspension for a pair of failed drug tests in line with that event.
Retired fighter Brendan Schaub is also agreeing with DC’s sentiments, saying that Lesnar is going to be a bigger challenge that Lewis was.
“[With Lesnar] you’re talking a complete freak,” said Schaub on Below The Belt. “Athletically, is he the biggest freak to ever do it? He’s f**king up there, man. We don’t talk about it enough. A guy at his age and with his background - he’s not even a part time mixed martial artist. It’s a hobby for this man and can go in there and compete with the best of the best. Imagine if he dedicated his entire life from when he was young to this sport. And he’s fighting through sickness! He’s f**king tough to deal with. No one goes in there and is like, ‘Ah this is a gimme fight.’ Even DC’s not like that. I promise you Brock Lesnar will be a tougher fight for DC than Derrick Lewis was. We don’t give that man enough props.”
There is no word yet as to when the potential DC versus Lesnar bout will happen, but DC recently stated that he wants to have the bout this March at UFC 235.
