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Despite being ranked number three in the heavyweight division, heading into last night’s UFC 166 it was highly documented that Daniel Cormier (13-0) intended on dropping to light heavyweight, seemingly for an immediate title shot with a man whom many regard as the greatest light-heavyweight of all time, Jon ‘Bones’ Jones (19-1).

How quickly things change.

Since the time in which DC stated his intentions we have finally found a man to rival Jones in the Swedish ‘Mauler’ Alexander Gustafsson (15-2).

Fresh off of a fight of the year contender, many pegged Gustafsson as the new champ only for Jones to be given the decision victory by the judges. Soon afterwards there were calls for an immediate rematch only for those thoughts to be shot down in flames as it was announced Jon will look to defend his belt for the seventh straight time against Brazilian stud Glover Teixeira (22-2).

Still, the fans voiced their wishes for Jones-Gustafsson part 2 and boss Dana White stated that if they both win their next fights then the rematch will get the green light.

So, where does that leave the former US Olympian?

The unbeaten 34-year-old now has at least two men standing in between himself and Jones, the man who has very publicly disrespected him at every chance; “DC is a guy who really wants to be famous. I don’t think he wants to work hard. I think he just wants to be famous. You can see it in his physique; you can see it in his card. I hate answering questions about him, he’s just not relevant to me. There’s so many great fighters in the light-heavyweight division. He has short reach, bad cardio and he looked terrible in his last fight (against Frank Mir). It’s like; I’m not worried about him at all.”

Cormier wrestled at 211 pounds, but withdrew from the 2008 Olympic team when he suffered kidney failure while cutting weight for the competition. That had led him to fight at heavyweight in MMA due to fears of his health but given the fact his main training partner, Cain Velasquez (13-1), is the dominant UFC heavyweight champion, DC decided to drop a division in order to avoid a potential fight with his friend as well as to have the chance to hold UFC gold alongside him.

Weighing in at 224 pounds ahead of his bout with Roy Nelson, Daniel looked visibly slimmer and his diet and cleaner lifestyle seems to be paying off as he gets set for his move down. But just who do you give the man as a first out, seemingly in order for him to win his shot at the belt and a big money showdown with Jones (IF he keeps his belt)?

With both Cormier and Gustafsson being told that one win could get them a title shot then, for me at least, it makes perfect sense to match them with each other. Both men are coming off of impressive showings, have history with Jones and are viable contenders for the UFC to build a legitimate buzz around. It would show us how DC would deal with a taller, faster, younger and more dynamic striker and it would show us just how good ‘The Mauler’s’ takedown defence actually is.

With both stuck in limbo at the moment that is the fight I am rooting for. Joe Silva, please make it happen!

Gregg Mullen @GeeMullen