Daniel Cormier Releases Details On Recent Injury

Reigning UFC light heavyweight champion Daniel “DC” Cormier was scheduled to defend his 205-pound strap in a rematch against Anthony Johnson at Dec. 10’s UFC 206 from Toronto, Canada, but he was recently forced to withdraw from the bout due to an injury.

Cormier revealed on today’s (Nov. 28, 2016) edition of The MMA Hour that he suffered a torn right adductor muscle, which is located near the groin. The former Olympian now has a choice to make regarding his treatment, and he plans to return in the February or March:

“I don’t know, man,” Cormier said. “It’s a weird deal, because I always try not to have surgery. That’s kind of my thing. I do whatever I can to not go under the knife. I’ve got some decisions to make.”

Surgery would likely get Cormier back in the gym in eight weeks, while simply resting would likely put him out of action for five months. “DC” could also elect to get platelet-rich plasma injections which would heal his injury faster than resting.

“I told [the doctor] I would like the fastest way back to the Octagon,” Cormier said.

While his decision hasn’t been made just yet, Cormier is hoping to face off with Johnson upon his return before meeting Ryan Bader before July.

Unfortunately, this isn’t the only time “DC” has suffered an injury, but the champion doesn’t plan on changing his training habits anytime soon:

“I feel if I don’t prepare in the ways I’ve always prepared in, I don’t know if I’ll be able to compete to the best of my ability,” he said. “It sucks.”

UFC 206 is now set to be headlined by an interim featherweight title fight between Max Holloway and Anthony Pettis.