While UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones busies himself with an already hectic summer schedule, which includes an upcoming title defense against Glover Teixeira and a potential rematch against Alexander Gustafsson, it appears as if the division’s other top contender, undefeated Olympian Daniel Cormier, will fight in the interim.
A bout between Cormier (14-0) and former Strikeforce champion Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante (12-4, 1 NC) is currently in discussion for UFC 175, according to a report from Ariel Helwani on UFC Tonight, although as of this writing, nothing is final.
Cormier, a former top-3 contender at heavyweight, made his recent light heavyweight debut at UFC 170, handily defeating Patrick Cummins via first-round TKO on less than two weeks’ notice.
Cavalcante meanwhile, is 1-1 since transitioning into the UFC after the collapse of Strikeforce. The 33-year-old Brazilian first lost to Thiago Silva in a wild one-round affair, before rebounding to dismantle Igor Pokrajac at UFC Fight Night 32.
Additionally, according to the UFC Tonight report, a potential bout between No. 8 ranked welterweight Demian Maia and Mike Pierce is under consideration for May 31’s ‘Fight Night’ event at the Ginásio do Ibirapuera in Sao Paulo, Brazil, which is headlined by a grudge match between TUF Brazil 3 coaches Chael Sonnen and Wanderlei Silva.
After racking up three straight wins at welterweight, Maia (18-6) has dropped consecutive decisions against Jake Shields and Rory MacDonald.
Likewise, Pierce (17-6) saw his own four-fight win streak snapped in his most recent outing, a controversial 31-second submission loss to Rousimar Palhares which led to Palhares’ dismissal from the UFC.