Cormier, Miocic confirm rematch close to finalized for August

With a potential superfight between Brock Lesnar and Daniel Cormier no longer in the cards following the former's retirement, president Dana White said the UFC is switching focus to a rematch between the heavyweight champion and Stipe Miocic, via ESPN's Brett Okamoto.

The two fighters confirmed that the bout is being finalized and is being targeted for Aug. 17 in Anaheim, Calif.

Cormier knocked out Miocic in the first round of their UFC 226 bout last July, adding the heavyweight belt to his light heavyweight title (which he later relinquished).

The 40-year-old champion was eyeing Lesnar for his final bout before retirement, which he initially said would be in March but was later pushed back after the wear and tear of three fights in 2018 meant he wasn't healthy enough to compete again before his self-imposed deadline.

Cormier's shock win versus Miocic was sandwiched between dominant displays against Volkan Oezdemir and Derrick Lewis.

Miocic hasn't fought since losing to Cormier; the Ohio native consistently rejected the notion he needed to earn another title shot after setting the record for heavyweight title defenses (three), a stance many other UFC fighters have openly supported.

Perhaps aware of Lesnar's decision, the 36-year-old teased his Octagon return Monday: