Strikeforce heavyweight grand prix champion Daniel Cormier has been the subject of much conversation in the mixed martial arts (MMA) community within the past few weeks.
The main source of interest surrounding "DC" has had to do with his contract situation with Strikeforce, as well as with whether or not the promotion he fights for will even survive long enough for him to fulfill the final fight on his deal.
Presently, Cormier is rumored to be fighting on a Strikeforce card set to take place in January of 2013, though that has not been officially confirmed, nor has the name of his next opponent been made public.
Cormier appeared on Spike TV's "MMA Uncensored Live," where he was in the mood to talk about future opponents, but not necessarily future opponents of his own.
Before he could get into his own personal affairs, Cormier offered his opinion on Ultimate Fighting Championship's (UFC) decision to award Chael Sonnen a title shot versus light heavyweight champion Jon Jones.
Does Sonnen deserve the opportunity? Not as far as Cormier is concerned:
"Not based on merit. Popularity and everything else? Maybe. The fans, they ask for things, in the moment. Then, when it happens, they complain about it. You gotta be careful what you ask for. When they said, 'We want him to fight Chael Sonnen.' Then, when the fight came to fruition, they kinda questioned it. I don't think he deserves a title shot. He hasn't won a fight in that division. And, I don't think that's even the case. It's him losing his last fight that's the problem. I truly believe that Dan Henderson should be fighting for the belt. Overeem had a big break, and he's still getting his title shot. Dan Henderson just took a big break, due to injury. I think he should still be getting his title shot."
Cormier and Jones have been linked to each other recently in the press, specifically after Jones shot down rumors of him coaching opposite the former Olympian, due to his "relatively unknown" status.
Apparently, the two fighters came into contact with each other recently. According to Cormier, "Bones" let him know that a fight between the two of them has been on his mind:
"At the Chael Sonnen fight, he walked up and got to his seat, and he asked me, 'Hey, are you going to 205?' I said, 'Yeah, we're gonna have to fight.' He goes, 'Good, cuz I'm ready for you.' So, obviously, this is a fight that he actually thinks about. But, I guess it just doesn't work for him, right now."
Though he currently resides at 265 pounds, the relative newcomer to sport of MMA believes that he will eventually make the move down to light heavyweight, and when he does, he sees a fight versus Jones as a foregone conclusion:
"I do. I think eventually, it's bound to happen. Obviously, this guy mentions me and talks about how I don't have enough followers on Twitter to coach The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) with him. So, you guys, get on Twitter and follow 'DC.' But, yeah, I think it'll happen eventually. It's a fight that people want to say, and I think it'll definitely happen.
Realistically, it would take some time. I think, six months. Because I would have to adjust my lifestyle. I'd be dieting and continuing my training. I would have to be real focused and real serious to do it."
In the meantime, Cormier will keep doing his thing as a heavyweight for Strikeforce, where he'll fight at least one more time.
What do you think, Maniacs? Is a fight between Cormier and Jones inevitable? Who ya got?