Daniel “DC” Cormier is perhaps one of the hottest names in the heavyweight division. After going from Grand Prix alternate to Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix winner, Cormier‘s stock has risen to new heights.
Still, fans (along with the fighter himself) have speculated about a drop in weight class for the AKA fighter. If Cormier can get past former UFC heavyweight champ Frank Mir at UFC on Fox 7, Cormier would very likely be in the title hunt if he were to drop a weight class.
According to MMA Junkie however, that’s not something Cormier envisions in his future.
I’ve thought about it, and I wouldn’t be opposed to fighting one time before then just to see how my body reacts to the weight cut. It’d be very difficult to fight him in my very first fight (at light heavyweight), in a five-round fight, and my first time down in the weight and everything. As I’ve thought about it, I kind of feel it’d be in our best interest to maybe take a fight.
The “him” Cormier is referring to is UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones. Cormier has used the media multiple times in an attempt to position himself to face Jones in the Octagon. Cormier even offered to put himself on The Ultimate Fighter as a coach prior to Chael Sonnen being announced as Jones’ opposing coach.
Although a potential Cormier-Jones bout intrigued many fans, Cormier seems to be backtracking on the though to facing Jones for his first fight at 205 pounds.
What if it doesn’t work out well? he asked. What if I get in a fight with a guy and I can’t do anything but wrestle him because my arms are tired and my body’s just not responding to the weight cut? I don’t want that guy to be Jon Jones. Seriously, can you imagine standing in there against him and not feeling your best? That would be horrible.
It would likely be a disaster for the former Olympian as Jones has shown he can go five rounds. The champion would enjoy an incredible reach advantage over the much shorter Cormier and is a more dynamic striker.
I think ultimately it’s a smart move on Cormier‘s part to take a “warm-up” fight at 205 pounds. Cormier‘s issues with weight cutting are well noted as kidney failure forced him out of action in the 2008 Olympics.
It’s a tough call for “DC” as to what to do next.
On one hand, he can fight more often at heavyweight and enjoys a speed and wrestling advantage over virtually anyone he’ll face. But his friend and training partner Cain Velasquez currently holds the UFC heavyweight title.
Would Cormier be willing to compete in a division knowing he won’t reach the pinnacle because his training partner is already there?
He faces some questions in cutting down to light heavyweight as well. The weight cut issue itself is of course present but then there’s the fact it will take a considerable amount of time for Cormier to properly drop the weight.
At 34 years of age, time isn’t on Cormier‘s side.
Although Cormier mentions he’ll have to talk to the UFC and his management team about his future I believe that decision will be a lot easier if Velasquez can defend his title at UFC 160.
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