Anthony "Rumble" Johnson is currently the talk of the UFC after making quick work of No. 1 contender Alexander Gustafsson on UFC Fight Night this past Saturday, but Daniel "DC" Cormier remains a threat to any man that steps in the Octagon with him.
Even though he lost a clear decision to Jon Jones at UFC 182, he did manage to dominate Round 2 and complete a spectacular takedown slam in Round 5 of their light heavyweight title bout. A second title shot may not be too far off in the future for Cormier, provided he can take out a name opponent in his next fight.
That's where Gustafsson comes in.
"He's got the biggest name. We're both coming off of a loss. So it would make sense. If that's the case, if they say Daniel, you and Alexander fight, and the winner will get a title shot against Anthony or Jon, then, yes," Cormier said.
Ryan Bader, who defeated a Top 5 light heavyweight in Phil Davis on the same card Johnson upset Gustafsson may have something to say about that. He is on a four-fight winning streak, and displayed greatly improved footwork and striking in the victory.
Even still, Cormier and Gustafsson have bigger names, and have had measures of success against Jones at times that once seemed impossible.
"It needs to be guy with name recognition. So where the people say, 'OK, Daniel beat this guy, we need to see him either fight for the championship again, or he's very close. Because to me Alexander and I, realistically, are two guys who could fight for the belt. Once you get past us, and Rashad, they're all rematches. past them who you going to put in the cage with Jon?" Cormier said.
DC also seems worried about Rashad Evans' viability as a contender. If he were to score a big win in his next fight, he could leapfrog both Cormier and Gustafsson who are coming off losses.
"Maybe the golden ticket is Gustafsson," Cormier said. "Because if Rashad gets Gustafsson, maybe Rashad gets the title shot."
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