Lyoto Machida Thinks Daniel Cormier Should Have to Earn a Light Heavyweight Title Shot
Undefeated heavyweight Daniel Cormier has talked about making the move to the 205-pound division well before he even arrived in the UFC.
Following his final Strikeforce bout on Jan. 12, the former Olympian said he planned to drop to the light heavyweight division by the end of 2013 and kick Jon Jones’ (expletive).
During a recent episode of UFC Tonight, it was revealed that Cormier’s UFC 166 match-up with Roy Nelson would be his final fight in the heavyweight division and he plans to ask for an immediate title shot in the 205-pound weight class if he’s victorious on Oct. 19.
The possibility of Cormier dropping down and jumping in line for a title shot doesn’t sit well with top light heavyweight contender and former champion Lyoto Machida.
“I believe that there’s a ranking and it should be followed,” said Machida during a media conference call on Thursday. “There are a lot of guys in line right now in the weight class to fight for a title. I’ve been waiting in line. There’s Glover Teixeira, there’s Phil Davis, so there’s a lot of guys in there in the mix.”
According to Machida, title shots should be earned and not given.
“If he’s going to move down to 205, he’s going to need to put a couple of fights in, or at least have a significant win in a big fight,” he said. “I don’t think it’s right for him to just come in and cut the line. I think he’s going to have to show that he deserves that title shot.”
Machida faces Phil Davis at UFC 163 on Aug. 3. If he wins, it will be his third consecutive victory since losing to champion Jon Jones at UFC 140 in December 2011.
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