LAS VEGAS — Daniel Cormier still wants to fight at UFC 200, but he’ll need an opponent after Jon Jones was pulled from Saturday night’s main card because of a potential doping violation.
The good news for Cormier is there’s no shortage of volunteers to face him on such short notice. Here are four fighters who already offered to tangle with the UFC light heavyweight champion in Jones’ absence.
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
This matchup would be quite the surprise as Bisping just wrested the middleweight title from Luke Rockhold at UFC 199 last month. Bisping is 30-7 in his pro career.
ALEXANDER GUSTAFSSON
https://twitter.com/AlexTheMauler/status/750956764837867521
https://twitter.com/AlexTheMauler/status/750965045820059648
Gustafsson would be an interesting choice since he lost split decisions to Cormier at UFC 192 last year and to Jones at UFC 165 in 2003. Gustafsson has a professional record of 16-4 and is the No. 4 light heavyweight contender.
Hey Dana sorry to hear the bad news but I'm ready to fight so give me the shot! @danawhite
— Ilir Latifi (@Latifimma) July 7, 2016
I'm in Miami, close to weight and ready to fightso let's do this! @danawhite @ufc @lorenzofertitta
— Ilir Latifi (@Latifimma) July 7, 2016
Latifi, the 13th-ranked light heavyweight contender, might seem like a long shot, but he has won his previous three fights and, like Gustafsson, is scheduled to fight in UFC Fight Night Hamburg in September. That means Latifi has been training and might be able to step in on such short notice.
@danawhite @lorenzofertitta @ufc I am ready to replace Jon Jones against @dc_mma for the LHW Belt or Main Event. Call me.
— Gegard Mousasi (@mousasi_mma) July 7, 2016
Shortly after he sent that tweet, Mousasi spent the rest of his Wednesday night retweeting fans who agreed he’d be the best choice to face Cormier. Mousasi, a middleweight who’s 38-6-2 as a pro, would give up 30 or so pounds if he fought Cormier.
Mousasi doesn’t care, though.
The fans have spoken @danawhite . Everyone wants to see @dc_mma vs myself. Give the fans what they are demanding! @ufc
— Gegard Mousasi (@mousasi_mma) July 7, 2016
No matter which way he goes, UFC president Dana White has his work cut out for him if he wants to ensure Cormier receives a payday this weekend. And the list of suitors for a Cormier fight likely will grow as news of Jones’ departure spreads.
Thumbnail photo by Joe Camporeale/USA TODAY Sports Images
