On Colin Cowherd's show, Dana White says Daniel Cormier WILL fight this weekend at #UFC200 ^JN
— Wrestling Observer (@WONF4W) July 7, 2016
In the last 24 hours, we’ve gone from an intense staredown and a plethora of sh*t talk from Jon Jones to the general direction of Daniel Cormier, to Jon Jones being unceremoniously pulled from UFC 200 due to a potential doping violation. The UFC announced Brock Lesnar vs. Mark Hunt would be the new main event, but who knows what’s going to happen next. Cormier wants a fight, and said he’ll move up to 220-225 to do it if he has to. Considering Cormier’s penchant for eating when distressed, it’s unknown how his weight cut is going, but there are plenty of options at 205 still. Let’s rank them from most likely to ridiculous.
Ridiculous: Cowboy Cerrone
Hey I'm already in town https://t.co/VEVOyvq16P
— Cowboy Cerrone (@Cowboycerrone) July 7, 2016
This may be silly, but I’d pay good money to see the former lightweight contender take on Cormier. Yes, Cowboy just finished a fun 4th of July weekend drinking beer, but that only helps his weight go up. Is he even over 200 pounds, though? Still, I wouldn’t mind seeing an open weight match like the old days.
Not likely: Alexander Gustafsson
https://twitter.com/AlexTheMauler/status/750965045820059648
https://twitter.com/AlexTheMauler/status/750956764837867521
He’s not even in Vegas, has to cut a ridiculous amount of weight, and already lost to Cormier. Granted, it was a hell of a fight and a close decision loss, but this doesn’t seem like it’s possible, especially if it kills their headliner for an especially weak Fight Night on the horizon.
Not likely: Rashad Evans
He’s a name and a former champion, but is he even in fight shape (or off medical suspension) after being knocked out by Glover Teixeira in April?
Not likely, but awesome: Ilir Latifi
I only need to give you this one photo to show you why this man should hold the world in the palm of his hand.
https://twitter.com/MMAStateOfMind/status/750961064574058496
Also not likely and awesome: Roy Nelson
Black Panty Night! @UFC @Danawhite give me @dc_mma vs @roynelsonmma + PPV. I am in after I beat the black beast… https://t.co/bQC4OZCwsB
— Roy Nelson (@roynelsonmma) July 7, 2016
Of course dude would simultaneously make some thinly-veiled race joke and want to get down and dirty with two extremely dangerous heavyweights in the span of 48 hours. Too bad it won’t happen.
Likely and awesome: Michael Bisping
2 months, 2 weeks, 2 days…… Hmmm middle vs light heavy???? I stand by my words. I'd do it!
— michael (@bisping) July 7, 2016
Bisping just knocked out DC’s team member Luke Rockhold on a week’s notice at UFC 199, so f*ck it — let’s see it happen again. Bisping going from outlier to dual-weight champ is the ultimate British Rocky story. I want this to happen. Bisping does too. It’s clear it’s on his mind. He tweeted that at midnight, then was up in the wee hours of the morning, still itching to scrap.
Ok for the record. I WILL fight DC. I love him, but if the @ufc need me, I'm in! @danawhite @lorenzofertitta
— michael (@bisping) July 7, 2016
Most likely and most dangerous for DC: Gegard Mousasi
Mousasi has subbed Mark Hunt and has wins over some of the best in the business at light heavyweight and middleweight. He’s currently cutting to middleweight, but could probably make 205 easy. Last night his manager spoke to FOX Sports and said, “He’s the guy to save the show.” It’s a dangerous fight for DC, but more dangerous than Jones?