Coach thinks Cormier will delay retirement to fight Jones after UFC 252

Daniel Cormier's head coach, Javier Mendez, isn't sure that Cormier's trilogy bout next weekend against heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic will be his final fight.

The former UFC two-division champion has said that he will retire following the UFC 252 headliner in Las Vegas on Aug. 15. However, Mendez thinks the winner of the main event will be offered a fight against light heavyweight champion Jon Jones - and he doesn't see Cormier turning it down.

"The winner of this fight is gonna get Jones, I believe," Mendez told ESPN's Brett Okamoto. "I believe that, because Jones showed interest (in moving to heavyweight). If Jones didn't show any interest in that, that's different."

Mendez added: "I think Uncle Dana (UFC president Dana White) is gonna throw so much money at DC, DC just can't pass it up. DC loves money. I think that's gonna happen."

Jones and Cormier have fought twice and were involved in one of the greatest rivalries in UFC history. Jones retained his 205-pound title with a unanimous decision over Cormier in 2015, and he finished "DC" in the 2017 rematch to recapture the belt. That result was overturned to a no-contest after Jones failed a USADA drug test.

Jones and Cormier have seemingly moved on from their feud, but Mendez - who coaches out of American Kickboxing Academy in San Jose, California - said it wouldn't be surprising if Cormier wants an opportunity to avenge his loss. Jones is the only man who Cormier has faced as a professional and hasn't beaten.

"I want him to retire, I'm not gonna lie to you," Mendez said. "I want him to retire regardless. I just know how the system works and I know what makes sense. ... When Dana says, 'I know who should retire and that guy shouldn't retire,' I know he's thinking he wants to make something happen. ... It's the right move, in my opinion."