Dana White: Daniel Cormier could get instant UFC title shot with drop to light heavyweight

Daniel Cormier made his successful Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) debut last weekend (April 20, 2013) by defeating former three-time heavyweight champion Frank Mir in San Jose, California (see how it all went down here).

The win not only improved "DC's" undefeated record to 12-0, but also solidified him as a legitimate threat in the UFC's 265-pound weight class after spending the last three years competing under the now-defunct Strikeforce banner.

But now that he's gotten his Octagon jitters out of the way, what's next for the former Olympian?

He could stay put and compete with the big boys, but should he and current heavyweight kingpin Cain Velasquez keep racking up the wins, their paths will eventually cross. The problem with that is, the American Kickboxing Academy (AKA) training partners have vowed to never fight one another.

Cormier's other option is to drop down to the light heavyweight division. And should he decide to take that road -- the one UFC President Dana White prefers -- "DC" could get an immediate title shot, according to the Las Vegas fight boss.

MMA Fighting has the word:

"He could drop to 205 and get a shot at the title in my opinion, on day one. Look at the guys he's beat at heavyweight. I actually prefer him at 205. This heavyweight division isn't like other heavyweight divisions. And in saying that, he beat Josh Barnett. That's a big deal. I just don't think he has the punching power at heavyweight that he'd have at 205."

As far as not having the "punching power" to be a heavyweight, Antonio Silva would beg to differ.

Cormier knocked out "Bigfoot" two years ago in the semifinals of the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix. He also finished Dion Staring earlier this year via punches.

Nevertheless, with a tough choice to ponder, Cormier will undoubtedly be an interested observer at this weekend's (Apr. 27, 2013) UFC 159 event, which features a 205-pound title fight between current champion Jon Jones defending his title against Chael Sonnen.

Perhaps if "Bones" manages to walk out of the Prudential Center with a win over "The American Gangster," Cormier's decision would be that much easier, seeing as how he's recently been lobbying for a fight against Jones, going as far as saying he would "kick his ass."

Pretty soon, it might be time for Daniel to stop talking and start doing.