Daniel Cormier On Jon Jones At Heavyweight, Donald Cerrone Update, Former UFC Contender Talks Return
- Dan Hardy remains hopeful for another chance to compete inside the Octagon. While "The Outlaw" is more than happy to continue to fill his schedule by calling UFC action on UFC Fight Pass, the Brit wants to feel the energy that goes with being a fighter.
"I'd very much like to. I have a few fights left on my contract. I need to get cleared by a doctor and I'm in the process of getting cleared. I'd just jump in for some fun fights," Hardy said. "I'm a lot lighter than I used to be. I'm closer to walking on the scales at 170. I fought twice at 160 and it was a comfortable weight for me. I was always so much quicker and agile when I was lighter. I think 155 would be better for me now. I'm not interested in belts. I'd like to be challenged and tested by people I look up to."
Hardy has not fought since defeating Amir Sadollah back in 2012. He fought for the UFC welterweight title in 2010, losing a decision to then-champion Georges St-Pierre. After the Sadollah fight, it was found that Hardy had a rare medical condition known as Wolff-Parkinson-White, which is an issue with the heart.
- Daniel Cormier was asked to respond to recent social media messages by Jon Jones regarding a move to heavyweight and a fight with Stipe Miocic. Cormier, the reigning UFC light heavyweight champion and a co-host of "UFC Tonight," doesn't believe the UFC will let "Bones" even contemplate the move while suspended.
"Obviously he'd do well if he fought for the heavyweight championship, but the guy's not eligible to compete," Cormier said. "If they're going to let a guy go up and fight in a fight, I'd do it. Why not me? I'm the one who's here competing. The question is: what would I do after I beat Stipe? I'd probably hand the belt over to Cain Velasquez, because I want none of those problems."
Cormier is a former top contender in the heavyweight division, but decided to move down to 205 pounds when Velasquez was wearing the belt. The two are close friends and training partners at American Kickboxing Academy.
As for his next fight, "DC" remains unscheduled, with Anthony Johnson still being viewed by many as the obvious choice. Jones was placed on temporary suspension by the Nevada Athletic Commission after a failed drug test earlier this year.
- Donald Cerrone will indeed remain on the UFC 205 card this November, as "Cowboy" takes on Kelvin Gastelum. Gastelum is stepping in as a replacement for Robbie Lawler, who bowed out of the Madison Square Garden event.
Gastelum is a former winner of The Ultimate Fighter and is coming off a win over Johny Hendricks, an ex-UFC welterweight champion. Cerrone has reeled off three consecutive wins since his move to 170 pounds.