Daniel Cormier Opts for Knee Surgery, Still Hopes to Fight Jones-Gustafsson Winner in 2015

Daniel Cormier has opted to have surgery on his injured knee in early July, according to a report from UFC Tonight on Wednesday evening.

The UFC light heavyweight contender aims to have the surgery just after competing in his final amateur wrestling match, which he plans on competing in at the upcoming UFC Fan Expo in Las Vegas.

Cormier fought his last UFC contest, a win against Dan Henderson, with an injured lateral collateral ligament (LCL) and also has a tear of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). He sustained the injury during training in the weeks leading into the May bout.

Following the win, Cormier’s name was thrown around as the next in line to fight Jon Jones for the UFC 205-pound title, but the organization opted to sign a rematch between Jones and Alexander Gustafsson for Sept. 27.

Cormier told the FOX Sports 1 program that he’ll have the surgery and recover in time to hopefully fight the Jones-Gustafsson winner in 2015.

For the UFC Fan Expo wrestling match, Cormier will wrestle former NCAA champion Chris Pendleton.