Yahoo Sports Light Heavyweight Log Jam Causing Daniel Cormier to Wait for UFC Title Shot
Daniel Cormier is next in line for a shot at the UFC light heavyweight title, but he'll have to wait until Alexander Gustafsson takes his turn.
With his win over Dan Henderson at UFC 173 on Saturday night, Cormier earned the next shot at the belt. The only problem Cormier will run into is having to wait several months because champion Jon Jones will likely defend the belt against Gustafsson first this summer.
“These things happen,” Dana White said, answering questions about formidable No. 1 contenders. “Sometimes there are log jams in these divisions. Cormier's awesome, he looked unbelievable. How about he's done this in two weight classes with heavyweight and light heavyweight?
“But there's no denying that Gustafsson deserves this rematch. So Cormier's in line, he's going to have to wait.”
As many fight fans recall, Jones and Gustafsson fought a memorable match at UFC 165 that saw Jones get bloodied and bruised by the challenger. Jones won the bout by unanimous decision, but many felt Gustafsson should have been awarded the win, causing call for an immediate rematch.
Gustafsson instead fought Jimi Manuwa, picking up a win and earning another shot at the title.
Cormier has been calling out Jones for months, drawing attention and intrigue towards a potential match-up between the 205-pound champ and the former Olympian.
White confirmed an earlier report that said Gustafsson signed a bout agreement to face Jones at UFC 177 on Aug. 30 in Las Vegas. Jones has yet to sign the bout agreement.
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