It’s been a roller coaster week for Daniel Cormier. After UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones campaigned to face Cormier rather than No. 1 contender Alexander Gustafsson, that glimmer of hope was snuffed out Thursday with official word that the rematch would go down Sept. 27 at UFC 178 in Toronto.
Ever the optimist, Cormier confirmed he will use the time off to rehab the knee injury he sustained training for his UFC 173 bout with Dan Henderson.
“Just got word Jones is fighting Gustafson again in September,” Cormier posted to Instagram. “So I will enjoy this brownie, spend some time with my family and get my knee fixed. It’ll all work out. We will be the champion.”
In addition to wishing Jones luck in his title defense, Cormier made it clear he isn’t interested in taking the title from Gustafsson.
“@jerr209: @dc_mma @JonnyBones u really want bones to win ??” Yes I do. Hes the champion long reigning means more to fight him for title. DC
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) June 6, 2014
UFC 178 takes place Sept. 27, 2014 from the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
5 MUST-READ STORIES
Finally. Official word comes that Jon Jones will defend his title in a rematch to Alexander Gustafsson Sept. 27 at UFC 178 in Toronto.
Distribution deal. Invicta FC’s events will shift from a Pay-Per-View model to be streamed on UFC Fight Pass.
Long reads. Shaun Al-Shatti profiles Rage in the Cage founder Roland Sarria while Steph Daniels gets UFC commentator Joe Rogan to touch on just about everything.
‘He’s a complainer.’ Diego Sanchez wants to fight ‘crybaby’ and ‘ingrate’ Nate Diaz in Mexico City.
Ubereem. Alistair Overeem ‘likes the vibe’ at Jackson’s MMA and explains how he ended up there.
MEDIA STEW
Make sure to check out interviews with Khabilov, Henderson, Sanchez and Greg Jackson in our video section.
Free Fight: Johnson vs. Benavidez.
Conor McGregor talks opponent switch and training in Iceland.
Sokoudjou back.
Schaub vlog 2.
Bryan Caraway stole Roy Dean’s idea about training with a GoPro.
The sentence, ‘When I first saw the script I thought it was great’ appears in this video.
Long watches.
UFC Fight Night Albuquerque MMA Vivisection preview, predictions, odds
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Friday Overload. Here’s some great stuff that didn’t make it in this week for whatever reason.
– Bellator 121 Main Card Weigh Ins
– John Moraga | Fight Camp (UFC Fight Night)
– TJ Dillashaw vs. Aubrey Marcus – It’s a Sword Fight!
– [A new contender for ‘Worst thing I’ve ever posted’] Exquisite Rap Duo – MMA
TWEETS
Official.
It’s on!
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) June 6, 2014
Good luck.
Good luck @JonnyBones get er done! See u next year! DC
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) June 6, 2014
Congrats.
Cool experience being honored by the State of California at the capital. Was able to sneak on the roof 4 a photo pic.twitter.com/ix8QWpgWLI
— TJ Dillashaw (@TJDillashaw) June 6, 2014
Unbelievable Appreciation I have for Shannon Knapp and Invicta! I am very proud to be apart the this team!… http://t.co/RQcwivROhu
— Cris Cyborg (@criscyborg) June 6, 2014
First EVER meal comped because I’m in the UFC. Thank you Buffalo Wild Wings, your $13.03 contribution has been greatly appreciated.
— James Krause (@TheJamesKrause) June 5, 2014
Not too quiet.
I’m the most brutal and most vicious and most ruthless champion theirs ever been, theirs no that can stop me. Brandao pic.twitter.com/DLO0UI7yeY
— Diego Brandao (@DiegoBrandaoMMA) June 6, 2014
World tour.
Did #BJJ with @AmericanTopTeam last night, enjoyed the class, got to spend time with @mikebrownmma and @jagatt . Excited for more! @ufc
— Alpha Cat Zingano (@CatZingano) June 5, 2014
I’m going to sleep well tonight! Great instruction, rolls and people over at @blackhousemb @ufc pic.twitter.com/AG07VNOI30
— Alpha Cat Zingano (@CatZingano) June 6, 2014
Making Duffee look tiny.
Sparring session with @toddduffee ,thanks buddy… ufc ….sparring hoje com o Todd Duffee,ansioso… http://t.co/pVyrbDAIMz
— Antonio Pezao Silva (@BigfootSilva) June 5, 2014
#killbox
Old school video of me in the kill box. Objective… Don’t get shot. http://t.co/VQusWtk9XY
— Tim Kennedy (@TimKennedyMMA) June 6, 2014
Slaps = drinks.
This here is my fat friend Wood that everyone is supposed to slap after my fights. Study him & remember. Free drinks! pic.twitter.com/MRWzZv9sun
— Matt Mitrione (@mattmitrione) June 5, 2014
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced yesterday (June 5 2014)
Keith Berish vs. Robert Drysdale at The Ultimate Fighter 19 Finale
Jon Jones vs. Alexander Gustafsson at UFC 178
FANPOST OF THE DAY
Today’s Fanpost of the Day comes via Da Headbanger.
Everything You NEED to Know About UFC Fight Night 42 Prelims
These prelims aren’t going to be epic by any means, but there are a few things worth keeping your eye on. Many consider Sergio Pettis to be a future star akin to his brother. Bobby Voelker and Lance Benoist are prone to fits of entertaining violence. And y’all remember that one dude that got decimated by Daniel Cormier on short notice? Yep. Patrick Cummins gets a real chance to show what he is actually capable of. That is, if you care.
It should be worth noting that all of the fights except for the Cummins-Narvaez fight will be on Fox Sports 1 with the lone exception on the Fight Pass.
Sergio Pettis (10-1) vs. Yaotzin Meza (20-9), Bantamweight
Story Thus Far: Pettis has a hell of a hype train behind him being the little brother (physically and literally) of the lightweight champion Anthony Pettis and opening his career up with 10 straight wins. He fell short against Alex Caceres in his sophmore UFC effort, but it was a highly entertaining scrap that did nothing to deter the excitement in most pundits for the 20 year old out of Roufusport. The sky seems to be the limit.
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Check out the rest of the post here.
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