“He’s not performing like a 41-year-old”- Daniel Cormier’s coach believes he could keep fighting if he wanted

Daniel Cormier has told the world no matter what happens this weekend UFC 252 is his final walk to the octagon.

It might very well be unless something else comes up.

He may say, ‘Yes, I’m done after this,’” Cormier coach Javier Mendez told MMA Fighting. “But you’ve been around and I’ve been around, and [UFC President] Dana [White] throws a lot of money at you, sometimes it’s hard to say no.”

That cash could be for a trilogy fight with Jon Jones or a super fight with Brock Lesnar.

Coach Mendez has seen the work Cormier has put in for the trilogy fight with Stipe Miocic this weekend and has seen enough to believe the former two-division champ can continue fighting on if chooses to.

Gary A. Vasquez/USA TODAY Sports

“He’s not performing like a 41-year-old,” Mendez said. “He’s in shape. His mind is sharp, his reflexes are sharp. He’s fighting like the best heavyweight there is.

“If you’re performing at that level, who’s to say you should retire? Only he can decide if he wants to retire. His abilities can say he can do it longer. I don’t know how many fights he could do, but he can definitely do it now.”

Cormier has already pushed back retirement so coach Mendez wants Cormier to retire but won’t hold fast to any particular outcome.

“If you’re asking me, would Jav want him to retire? Yes, I’d want him to retire after this,” Mendez said. “I wanted him to retire before this. So from my point of view, I want him to retire, but I don’t know what he wants.”