Cormier closes in on fighting farewell with mixed feelings

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) — Daniel Cormier has always seemed to have the endgame all figured out.

The UFC heavyweight champion has everything in place for a satisfying, fulfilling life after mixed martial arts.

A loving family. A burgeoning career in broadcasting. Varied business interests, including a couple of Los Angeles barbershops and a poke restaurant in Miami.

Even more impressively, Cormier actually understands how important it is to get out of fighting with his health and finances intact, and he has planned this exit for years.

The fight game is littered with champions who stayed too long and devolved into clichéd palookas. Cormier is determined to avoid the decline, even when all evidence except the calendar suggests he is still at his peak.

“I do know that when I leave this game, it’s going to be tough, because I’ll still be able to compete,” Cormier said. “I’m going to leave this game because I want to value what I leave behind, and I want it to last forever.”

Cormier realizes he went slightly past his longset deadline of his 40th birthday so he could fight at UFC 241 this weekend. The former two-belt champion insists he won’t stick around much longer, if at all.

“I had the greatest year of my career at 39, so it’s like, ‘Man, am I going to leave now?’” Cormier asked. “Maybe after this one. I don’t know. But I feel good. I’ve trained hard. I’ve prepared.”

Although a third shot at Jon Jones might keep him around for a few months longer, Cormier (22-1, 1 no-contest) easily could be stepping into a cage for the final time Saturday night in Anaheim for his rematch with Stipe Miocic (18-3).