Daniel Cormier has long talked about dropping down to light heavyweight and getting a shot at champion Jon Jones, and it seems he may get his wish if he can get past Roy Nelson at UFC 166 next month.
During a Google Hangout session with UFC president Dana White, via Fox Sports, on Thursday, he was posed with the question about the fight.
White was asked specifically if Cormier beats Nelson and Jones beats Alexander Gustafsson at UFC 165, if those to would fight next.
“Yeah, probably,” White revealed. “Yep.”
This news comes as a shock after just a week ago Glover Teixeira was declared the new No. 1 contender when he knocked out Ryan Bader in the first round of their fight at UFC Fight Night 28 in Brazil.
It was stated on the night of the fight that Teixeira would receive the next shot at the gold against the winner of the fight between Jones and Gustafsson. It’s unclear if White had a change of heart in the matter or was just caught off guard with the question on Thursday, but he’s now throwing Cormier‘s name into the mix as a potential No. 1 contender.
Cormier still hasn’t even made the move to light heavyweight officially, but he’s already cutting the weight ahead of his fight against Nelson in October.
The plan the former Olympic team captain set up is to start dropping a few pounds as he gets ready for Nelson, and then after the fight make the move down to 205 pounds.
While it’s true that Cormier has never fought at light heavyweight, he does bring an impressive resume to the division if he does drop down and get an immediate title shot. He already holds wins over UFC heavyweight mainstays such as Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva, Frank Mir and Josh Barnett.
If the former Oklahoma State wrestler can dispatch of Nelson in October, that would add another top-10 fighter to the win column—something Teixeira can’t yet boast in his UFC career.
As it happens many times when it comes to UFC matchmaking, the real answer will probably come after Cormier fights Nelson at UFC 166. If he looks impressive and dominates or finishes the former Ultimate Fighter winner, it will go a long way towards earning the shot against Jones or Gustafsson for the title.
The only person not happy to hear there’s another contender in the race has to be Teixeira, who was already in the top spot until Thursday.
Damon Martin is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report
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