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[Sakara=Excitement]

Daniel Cormier might get next shot at Jon Jones' title despite no wins at 205 and UFC's other contenders - Bloody Elbow

The UFC has been quickly moving away from any sort of sensible, easy-to-follow methodology and instead has moved into "whoever Dana White and Co. like today. In no division is this on display quite like light heavyweight.

Dan Henderson was the number one contender, set to fight Jon Jones only to injure his knee and have to pull out of the bout. Now it's Chael Sonnen who will be coaching The Ultimate Fighter against Jones and fighting him for the title in a weight class he hasn't fought in for several years after losing two shots at the middleweight title. Sonnen got the fight because he's the only guy that wanted it -- when it was offered on three days notice, not when it came with a long, full training camp.

Henderson was scheduled for a fight against Lyoto Machida in what was supposed to be a number one contender fight but then the UFC declared that Alexander Gustafsson against Shogun Rua was the actual number one contender fight. After Gustafsson won that bout it became a situation where now Gustafsson might fight Machida if Henderson can't because of the knee injury.

But NOW Dana is throwing out a new name as a potential number one contender:

Cormier is a great fighter and the prospect of him fighting Jones is appealing on paper, my objection has absolutely nothing to do with DC's skills. But we've never seen the guy fight at light heavyweight. We don't know anything about how his body would handle cutting the extra weight, something that is more of a factor with Daniel than most fighters considering his incident at the 2008 Olympics where his weight cut led to kidney failure.

But more than just "does Cormier deserve the fight?" is the issue of the UFC effectively ruining their ability to promote number one contender fights.

Why should anyone care when a fight is billed as a number one contender fight? The UFC has used it as a selling point for fights on Fox shows, Gustafsson vs. Rua being a solid example of that. While I understand the idea of Gustafsson not wanting to sit on the shelf until whenever Jones is ready after he humiliates Sonnen, the plan is to get eyes that don't normally watch your product on the Fox shows and hook them.

Gustafsson was impressive against Rua, but anyone who thought "oh man, I might have to actually buy a PPV to see him fight for the title" might now not get that fight. And it's happening over and over these days as the UFC loses its identity.

*I'm ready for the outrage. Remember this is Mixed Martial Arts and there are things like Respect.

[roaddawg]

I called this a long time ago. Gustafason and Machida are the best threats to Jones. I will wait to see how DC actually performs at lhw before throwing his name into the mix.

He might be a totally different fighter at lhw and that is not necessarily a good thing.

[lwbrewer]

They should change there name from UFC to UFE and E for entertainment only

[MMA4EVERRR]

Jones and Sonnen don't find until April. I don't see the winner fighting again at the earliest July/August. That leaves a good 7-8 months that the next contender fights again. I don't think either Gustaffsson or Cormier will sit out that long. I reckon both fight at least once before that. Cormier won't jump into a LHW title match until he first tests the weight cut against a formidable opponent.

Henderson/Machida fight in Feb. Winner of that is also in line for a shot. With all these contenders, and a possible injury that may happen, anybody can take the #1 contender slot.

I believe the whole reason why Dana is making anybody the #1 contender at this point is because of the injuries that keep piling up, and the whole UFC 151 fiasco. I believe the UFC wants every alternative informed and ready should shit happen.

[AnchorPunch]

I really want to see DC take a non-title fight first. I'm not sure how well his cardio is going to hold up. As a fan, I'm a bit concerned about his drop being successful.

Anyone know if this means they cancelled the Mir fight?

[roaddawg]

Makes sense to me.

As for Mir they should let him fight Werdum.

[Pasha K]

There is no point of being surprised or angry anymore. The UFC indeed is becoming the UFE. As long as that bum is the president, we can not expect anything better.

[MMA4EVERRR]

Originally Posted by roaddawg

Makes sense to me.

As for Mir they should let him fight Werdum.

Werdum got Big Nog next. At this point, Mir would be a step down for Werdum. Big Nog is too, but these guys have history, not to mention it gives Werdum a chance to avenge his loss to Nog back in Pride, while moving forward to the title shot.

Mir is coming off a embarrassing performance against JDS. I say give him Barnett.


ps..most of you guys are behaving as if Cormier (a legit Top 5 HW btw) being inserted into a LHW title shot is some kind of WWE-esque, freakshow, entertainment-only move by the UFC. This is DANIEL CORMIER, a true MMA fighter, not Dave Bautista, that the UFC is promoting for a title shot.

[Pasha K]

Originally Posted by MMA4EVERRR

ps..most of you guys are behaving as if Cormier (a legit Top 5 HW btw) being inserted into a LHW title shot is some kind of WWE-esque, freakshow, entertainment-only move by the UFC. This is DANIEL CORMIER, a true MMA fighter, not Dave Bautista, that the UFC is promoting for a title shot.

Yes I know that Cormier at least is not Chael Sonnen.
If there was absolutely no one left to face Jones, then I agree that it should be Cormier. But what about Gustafsson and the winner of Machida-Hendo??

[CtGreat]

Originally Posted by Pasha K

Yes I know that Cormier at least is not Chael Sonnen.
If there was absolutely no one left to face Jones, then I agree that it should be Cormier. But what about Gustafsson and the winner of Machida-Hendo??

The UFC tries to steer away from rematches. The only fights left for Jones at LHW are gustofson and Hendo...everything else would be a rematch. I think the UFC prefers to try and have fresh contenders fighting for the belt.