We’ve been hearing for a while now that former Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix winner and top UFC contender Daniel Cormier has been planning a move to the light heavyweight division. And according to Cormier, it’s finally going to happen after his UFC 166 bout with Roy Nelson, regardless of the outcome. He made the statement on last night’s episode of Inside MMA on AXS TV:
“This is going to be my last fight at heavyweight. I wanted to start to diet and mover closer to the weight division where I was comfortable making the weight. I feel like I’m in that place now.”
The reasons for the drop are pretty simple – he wants a belt, and he doesn’t want to fight teammate and current heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez:
“It does have a lot to do with me not wanting to fight Cain Velasquez, but I also want to be a champion of the UFC, and if I’m not going to fight for the belt at heavyweight, then I’ve got to find a division where I can compete for the championship.”
Cormier’s bout with Nelson is the co-main event of the October 19th card. He stated that he intends to be in Cain’s corner for his main event title bout with Junior dos Santos despite fighting right before him.
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