After Heavyweight Roy Nelson knocked out Cheick Kongo at UFC 159, there was a lot of speculation about him fighting Daniel Cormier next. Cormier was coming off a decision win over Frank Mir at UFC on Fox 7 in his UFC debut the week prior and the fight made sense. It seemed like cold water got thrown on the match after Nelson gave up a one-sided decision loss to Stipe Miocic at UFC 161, but now it’s officially scheduled.
The Houston Chronicle broke the news Monday evening and Cormier spoke to BE’s Steph Daniels about the matchup shortly after:
I’m pretty excited about it. It’s the fight that we’ve wanted for a little bit And Roy’s wanted. I think it’s going to be a great fight. He’s a guy that brings the fight every time. He’s an exciting fighter. I’m happy to be in there with him. I’ve said multiple times that I don’t hold the Stipe Miocic fight against him, being as he took the fight on such short notice. I kind of give him a mulligan. So, in my eyes he’s still on that win streak he was on. He’s a very dangerous guy.
It’s no secret as to what he does. He’s a great grappler. He’s got big knockout power. And he’s a tough athlete. I think people mistake, they do the eye test on Roy and it gives them a false sense of what they’re stepping in the Octagon with. That’s not gonna happen with me.
There’s no question that this is a fight both men wanted. Last week they even signed a fake bout agreement for the fight. With some more official paperwork now in place, they’ll meet on October 19 at UFC 166. The event will take place at the Toyota Center in Houston, TX with Cain Velasquez fighting Junior dos Santos for the Heavyweight title headlining the card.