The co-main event of UFC 166 saw Olympic wrestler Daniel Cormier take on a slimmed-down Roy Nelson in the heavyweight division. It was a fight that could be the last heavyweight bout for Cormier, who is likely heading to 205 next.
The fight was not amazing, but that may be because it followed up a Fight of the Year candidate in Diego Sanchez vs. Gilbert Melendez. That being said, Cormier took the fight on all the scorecards, effectively keeping his UFC record squeaky clean.
Here is what we learned from this co-main event.
What We’ll Remember About This Fight
I would say we won’t remember much about this fight other than Cormier won. Some big punches landed, and it wasn’t the worst fight ever, but it wasn’t the most memorable scrap to date.
What We Learned About Nelson
Against top competition, Nelson falters. “Big Country” is UFC material, but he cannot get a marquee win that separates him from the pack. We’ll see where he goes from here.
What We Learned About Cormier
He is elite. His drop to 205 is intriguing, but he is not a top contender for Jon Jones. He needs a win or two at light heavyweight to get that shot. He has the tools but still needs improvement, or the top-tier guys will slice and dice him.
What’s Next for Nelson
He needs to take a step back now that he is on a two-fight skid. I would say a bout with Ben Rothwell, once he returns from suspension, would be a good scrap.
What’s Next for Cormier
He will be fighting at 205, so maybe a meeting with Alexander Gustafsson in Sweden would be a good bout. A win would get him a title shot, while a loss would put him back at the drawing board.
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