Cormier: Standing across the cage from Jon Jones would be great for me
Strikeforce Heavyweight World Grand Prix winner Daniel Cormier has one fight remaining in his Strikeforce contract, against former UFC Champion Frank Mir. Their bout is supposed to take place in late October or early November. He is supposed to enter the UFC, following that match.
In an interview with MMA Fight Corner, the former Olympian stated that he wants a title shot in the UFC when he makes the transition: “I want to throw my name into the hat, if I’m able to get past Frank Mir. I’ve been chuggin along and if I get through this fight, that’s three top ten guys in a row. I should be in line for a belt. I should get a shot at either of those divisions. Hey Dana and Lorenzo, don’t forget about me over here. If I win this fight, give me a shot.”
That’s right, a move to Light Heavyweight could be in the cards for him if his friend and teammate Cain Velasquez, takes the title from Junior dos Santos on December 29. A victorious Velasquez means that Cormier will move to 205 lbs: “Let’s see what happens. A lot of things are going to be in play.If I come over to the UFC as the number one contender and Cain’s the Heavyweight Champion, then I have some things to think about. But if somebody else is holding that belt, then yeah, I’m gonna stay up at Heavyweight.”
Cormier likes the thought of moving down, specifically to fight Jon Jones: “Standing across the cage from that guy would be great for me. I’d love to do that at some point in my career. Even if I am maybe the Heavyweight Champion and there’s a chance to make a super fight, we could figure something out him and I, because I would not back down from that opportunity.”
However, he first needs to get past Mir: “I respect Frank a ton, man. I think Frank Mir is one of the greatest Heavyweights of all time. I think his record shows that he’s probably one of the most dangerous submission threats that the Heavyweight division has ever seen. I respect Frank. I know that it’s an uphill battle for me going into this fight and it’s going to be tough. But you know what? This is why I fight. I fight high level competition and Frank is exactly what I need at this point in my career.”
Although, many have speculated that this final fight with Strikeforce will be a title fight, including UFC President Dana White, it has not been publicly stated by Strikeforce. Cormier certainly hopes this last bout will be for the title in that promotion, for which he will close the chapter on that division: “I would like it to be for the Strikeforce Championship because I’d like to actually put that belt on my mantle too – if I’m lucky enough to beat Frank and retire as the last Strikeforce Champion. I think it should be for the Strikeforce Heavyweight Title. If they find it within themselves to make it for the belt, I’d be very pleased. I’m going to prepare as though I’m fighting for a championship.”
