UFC light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier is currently getting ready for what may be the biggest fight of his career. With that in mind, the title holder is looking to potentially embrace the “bad guy” persona if necessary.
Cormier is moving up in weight to challenge reigning UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic for his title. The two mixed martial artists will throw down at UFC 226.
The highly anticipated fight card will take place July 7 inside the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. for International Fight Week. In promotion for the fight, Cormier and Miocic are coaching the 27th season of The Ultimate Fighter.
Speaking at the recent TUF 27 media tour, Cormier commented on the seeming change from fight fans. Where the fighter once received a hefty amount of boos from crowds, Cormier now appears to attract a more positive response. Speaking on the matter, Cormier said:
“I don’t know what I did. I didn’t really do anything. I did the exact same thing. They decide when they like you and when they don’t.”
“When I went out there that first time and they booed me with Jon [Jones], I just played the bad guy. I will say all the stuff you hate me saying. You hate that I make fun of [Jon Jones] for his addictions? I will say every one of those addictions and I’ll list them all out.”
“Before it was like, I don’t think they’ll boo me for it. Okay, you’ll boo me for it? You don’t like that? I’d kind of feel out what people liked and didn’t like. And the things I got the most hate, on Twitter, I would start to say it in public. If you want me to be your bad guy, I’ll be your bad guy. I just kind of gauge it.”
