Rashad Evans: Daniel Cormier could be my next opponent
Fresh off a dominant win over Chael Sonnen, Rashad Evans could introduce Daniel Cormier to the UFC light heavyweight division.
Evans (19-3-1 MMA, 14-3-1 UFC) on Wednesday told “UFC Tonight†that he’s heard Cormier (13-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC) could be his next opponent, though the fight had yet to be confirmed by the promotion.
Asked whether he thought Cormier could make the drop to 205 pounds, Evans said, “I think so. I think he can diet down, and I think he’s a different athlete than he was when he was wrestling for the Olympics. I think he’s a little bit more disciplined now.â€
Cormier was unreachable for comment on the potential matchup, which was not given a date.
The 34-year-old Cormier is undefeated as a heavyweight fighter and was dominant in a recent outing against Roy Nelson at UFC 166. But after the event, he announced his intention to fight in the light heavyweight division.
Cormier pushed for a bout with Alexander Gustafsson on U.S. soil for his light heavyweight debut, but Gustafsson was recently booked to meet Jimi Manuwa in London.
Cormier also said he is open to fighting Gegard Mousasi, Antonio Rogerio Nogueira, or Phil Davis.
As a collegiate wrestler, Cormier competed for the U.S. at 211.6 pounds in the 2004 Olympics, but was forced to vacate the 2008 team when he suffered kidney damage from weight cutting.
In recent interviews, Cormier said he’s changed his diet and made lifestyle changes that would make possible a cut to 205 pounds. He weighed in for his UFC 166 bout at a more svelte 224 pounds.
Evans, 34, would present a stiff challenge for Cormier’s first fight at 205 pounds. The former champ now enjoys back-to-back wins since a title setback against champ Jon Jones and a lackluster decision loss to Antonio Rogerio Nogueira. At this past Saturday’s UFC 167, he stopped Sonnen in the first round by TKO.
