In the end, Daniel Cormier got his wish: He’s fighting in the South again.
The Ultimate Fighting Championship is returning to Houston for UFC 192 on October 3, and the event will be headlined by a light heavyweight title fight between Cormier and challenger Alexander Gustafsson.
The fight was first reported by the Houston Chronicle.
Cormier (16-1) scored a submission win over Anthony Johnson in May to capture the title that was stripped from Jon Jones following a hit-and-run altercation in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Jones had been scheduled to defend the belt against Johnson at UFC 187. But the UFC’s decision to strip Jones and subsequently suspend him indefinitely allowed Cormier—who lost a unanimous decision to Jones in January—to step in and win the belt.
Now, he’ll fight near his hometown of Lafayette, Louisiana. An unabashed Houston Rockets fan, Cormier had campaigned for a main event slot on the show.
Gustafsson is coming off a loss to Johnson in January but was deemed the No. 1 contender for Cormier’s belt regardless. His last win came over Jimi Manuwa in March 2014.
“I think Alex is a worthy opponent. He’ll be a tough challenge,” Cormier told the Chronicle. “I’m sure we’ll give the Houston fans an exciting and fun fight.”
The only other confirmed bout for the card features Rashad Evans returning from a long layoff to face surging contender Ryan Bader in a fight that could determine the next challenger for Cormier’s title. Former heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez has expressed interest in fighting on the Houston card as well; he is a significant draw in the city, having sold out two headlining events in Toyota Center.
Tickets for UFC 192 go on sale July 31.
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