As a heavyweight Daniel Cormier has become the No. 2 fighter in the sport according to the UFC rankings, but a move to 205 pounds could still be in his future.
Cormier commented earlier this week when appearing on UFC Tonight that he is still contemplating his next move, but a drop to light heavyweight could happen.
While he keeps saying he’ll never tell a fighter what weight class they should compete in, UFC President Dana White believes Cormier‘s body would be better suited for light heavyweight in the long run.
“I actually prefer him at 205,” White told Bleacher Report on Thursday. “This heavyweight division isn’t like other heavyweight divisions. Saying that, he beat Josh Barnett. That’s a big deal. I just don’t think he has the punching power at heavyweight that he would have at 205.”
Cormier has never competed at light heavyweight in his MMA career, but has expressed that a move down to the lower weight class was a possibility. He has even managed to get into a war of words with UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones in the last few months that he could spur on a fight between the two former wrestlers.
As a matter of fact if Cormier drops down to 205 pounds, White sees the former two-time Olympian getting a title shot in his first bout if that’s what he wants.
“He could drop to 205 and get a shot at the title in my opinion. Day one,” White stated. “Look at the guys he’s beat at heavyweight.”
As far as promoting a fight between Jones and Cormier as opposed to other contenders currently in the division like Lyoto Machida or Alexander Gustafsson, White isn’t sure it would be a bigger fight.
Based on his first appearance in the Octagon in which Cormier took former UFC heavyweight champion Frank Mir to decision in a largely unexciting affair, White isn’t sure the former Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix is setting the world on fire just yet.
“It’s not like Cormier looked like a world beater last weekend,” White said. “You know what I mean? So I don’t know.”
Cormier is still planning on talking to his coaches, teammates and managers before making his final decision regarding his future in the UFC, but a decision could happen at any time. Once Cormier declares his move, then the UFC will book his next fight inside the Octagon.
Damon Martin is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report and all quotes were obtained first hand unless otherwise noted.
Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com