Daniel Cormier: I Deserve A Title Shot, But I’ll Fight Again If I Have To

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UFC 173 went down last night in Las Vegas, Nevada, and it was as shocking, as it was absolutely awesome. T.J Dillashaw stole the limelight, beasting the (now) former champion Renan Barao, and ending his epic win streak with a fifth round TKO. Another top performance from last night’s card was Daniel Cormier’s third round submission win over Dan Henderson.

The win puts DC within touching distance of a title shot, although Jon Jones and Alexander Gustafsson have unfinished business in the meantime. Targeted for UFC 177, the light-heavyweight kingpin ‘Bones’ will have to go up against the only man to ever really push him inside the cage. Check out what Cormier had to say about the rematch, during last night’s post fight presser:

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‘That’s a tough hill to climb man, I’d have to put in my best performance. I think that styles make fights, and I think that I match up well with him. We haven’t really seen him on his back for extended periods of time. I want to be the champion, that’s really why I started fighting. It means something to beat Jon Jones. Gustafsson is a great fighter, but it really means something to beat Jones. I’ve earned a title shot, I’m undefeated, I haven’t lost a round, and I haven’t lost a fight. I was the Strikeforce grand prix champion.’

 Cormier’s second win in the light-heavyweight division marks his fifteenth overall, and Dan Henderson is an impressive name to have on your win column. In regards to a title shot, Cormier makes no bones about his intentions, but is also willing to fight again:

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‘I just believe in my skill, it’s my sport. Jon Jones is a great champion, he has defended that title more times than anyone else; just like Anderson Silva, and I think these guys deserve a rematch. I’m not opposed to fighting again (if Jones loses and gets a rematch with Gustafsson), I think I deserve a title shot. I’ll talk to Dana, and if we come up with something good I’ll fight again. I’m better than all these guys and I believe I can beat them all.’

Clearly Cormier has the confidence of a champion, and I respect his willingness to once again prove he is worthy of a title shot. The former NCAA wrestling monster has been gunning for a fight with Jones for a long time now, and it would seem that fight will be a reality should ‘Bones’ beat Gus for a second time. Is DC setting himself up for a short fall by being such a company man, or is he right to believe in his abilities that much?